The Hunt for Red October

1990, Mystery & thriller/Action, 2h 17m

74 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

Perfectly cast and packed with suspense, The Hunt for Red October is an old-fashioned submarine thriller with plenty of firepower to spare. Read critic reviews

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The Hunt for Red October Videos

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - A Little Revolution

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You Speak Russian

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Wrong Conclusions

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Turbulence

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Ryan's Plan

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - You've Killed Us

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Living in America

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Escaping Torpedoes

The Hunt for Red October: Official Clip - Another Possibility

View All Videos (9)

The Hunt for Red October Photos

The Hunt for Red October (1990)

View All Photos (31)

Movie Info

Based on the popular Tom Clancy novel, this suspenseful movie tracks Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) as he abandons his orders and heads for the east coast of the United States. Equipped with innovative stealth technology, Ramius' submarine, "Red October," is virtually invisible. However, when an American sub briefly detects the Russians' presence, CIA agent Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) sets out to determine Ramius' motives, fearing he may launch an attack on the U.S.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Mystery & thriller, Action, Adventure
Original Language:

English
Director:

John McTiernan
Producer:

Mace Neufeld
Writer:

Larry Ferguson, Donald Stewart
Release Date (Theaters):

Feb 2, 1990 original
Release Date (Streaming):

May 6, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA):

$119.1M
Runtime:

2h 17m
Distributor:

Paramount Pictures
Sound Mix:

Surround, Stereo
Aspect Ratio:

Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Sean Connery
Captain Marko Ramius

Alec Baldwin
Jack Ryan

Scott Glenn
Captain Bart Mancuso

Sam Neill
Captain Vasily Borodin

James Earl Jones
Admiral James Greer

Joss Ackland
Ambassador Andrei Lysenko

Show all Cast & Crew

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Critic Reviews for The Hunt for Red October

All Critics (74) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (65) | Rotten (9)

Full Review… Bill Cosford Miami Herald

Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews

Full Review… Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune

Full Review… Sheila Benson Los Angeles Times

Full Review… John Hartl Seattle Times

Full Review… Peter Travers Rolling Stone

Full Review… Yasser Medina Cinemaficionados

Full Review… Eddie Harrison film-authority.com

Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins

Full Review… Sarah Cartland Caution Spoilers

Full Review… Calum Marsh Esquire Magazine

Full Review… James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk

View All Critic Reviews (74)

Audience Reviews for The Hunt for Red October

Mar 14, 2015

Probably the best Clancy film adaptation. Silly entertainment involving overly complex fake technology that sounds vaguely plausible, but without the frustratingly dense plot of Clancy's novels. Most of this success is likely due to McTiernan, who was often firing on all cylinders at this time.

Alec B Super Reviewer
Aug 24, 2014

Compelling, with a taut and gripping premise. It exudes a quiet importance, and in some moments, even hints of an underlying humanness and nobility.

Kyle M Super Reviewer
Jun 15, 2013

A thrilling action movie, adequately cast.

Christian C Super Reviewer
Jan 26, 2013

The Hunt for Red October is a compelling and exciting Cold War thriller. Based on a Tom Clancy novel, a new Soviet submarine goes rogue on its maiden voyage, taking the Soviet Union and U.S. to the brink of war; however CIA analyst Jack Ryan suspects that the sub's captain is attempting to defect. The film features an all-star cast that includes Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill, and James Earl Jones. Additionally, director John McTiernan does an excellent job at creating an intense and suspenseful tone throughout the film. And this tone is enhanced through Basil Poledouris's sweeping and powerful score. Exceptionally well-crafted, The Hunt for Red October is a captivating film that's steeped in mystery.

Dann M Super Reviewer

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