Synopsis: Amazon.comYou can almost hear the studio pitch meeting echoing throughout Crimson Tide like the sonar on the soundtrack: “It’s The Cain Mutiny on a nuclear submarine!” When radio communications problems aboard the USS Alabama prevent the sub from receiving its orders clearly during a tense confrontation with Russian warships, Navy officer Denzel Washington faces a huge ethical dilemma: countermand the orders of legendary Captain Ramsey (Gene Hackman) to fire nuclear missiles, or follow his command and risk launching an unprovoked nuclear war. It’s really an actors’ picture, and the fun is in the fireworks between Washington and Hackman, each of whose characters articulates solid reasoning behind his decision. There are no easy villains, and there’s no easy way to tell right from wrong–that’s what makes the nuclear stakes so terrifying. Director Tony Scott (who directed Quentin Tarantino’s True Romance script) called in Tarantino to punch up the dialogue, which is why, for example, the sailors talk about Silver Surfer comic books. The digital video disc is in anamorphic widescreen; the sonorous underwater rumblings on the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack will provide you with a good opportunity to show off your system’s bass response. –Jim EmersonProduct DescriptionDynamic Denzel Washington (TRAINING DAY) joins Hollywood favorite Gene Hackman (ENEMY OF THE STATE) along with Viggo Mortensen (THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy) and James Gandolfini (TV’s THE SOPRANOS) in this intense action thriller that’s a smash hit with audiences and critics alike! In the midst of a global crisis, the USS Alabama receives an unconfirmed order to launch its nuclear missiles — signaling the start of Word War III! The tension quickly rises as the sub’s respected commander (Hackman) and his brilliant executive officer (Washington) clash over the validity of their orders … battling each other for control of the sub! As this epic struggle rages under the sea, CRIMSON TIDE brings motion picture excitement to a new level — and you to the edge of your seat!