Crimson Tide
When some Russian rebels take control of some ICBM's, the Americans mobilize. Among the vessels sent is the nuclear sub, USS Alabama. But before they leave they need a new X.O. and among the choices is Commander Hunter, who hasn't seen much action. But the ship's Captain, Ramsey, OK's him. While on the way, there was an incident and Hunter disagreed with how Ramsey handled it. It's evident that Ramsey doesn't think much of Hunter because Hunter was college educated while Ramsey worked his way up. They're given orders to attack but when they were in the process of receiving another order, the ship's communications were damaged, so the entire message was not received. Ramsey decides to continue with their previous order while Hunter wants to reestablish contact first. That's when the two men butt heads that ends with Hunter relieving Ramsey. Later when some men die, some of the officers feel that Hunter is not up to the task so they team up to retake control. But Hunter has taken precautions.
Despite a moderate budget of $53.0M, Crimson Tide became a commercial success, earning $157.4M worldwide—a 197% return.
Nominated for 3 Oscars. 5 wins & 9 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Crimson Tide (1995) exemplifies strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Tony Scott's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Lt. Commander Ron Hunter
Captain Frank Ramsey
Lt. Roy Zimmer
Chief of the Boat 'COB' Mahoney
Lt. Peter 'Weps' Ince
Radioman Vossler
Lt. Paul Hellerman
Ensign Danny Rivetti
Main Cast & Characters
Lt. Commander Ron Hunter
Played by Denzel Washington
Harvard-educated XO who challenges orders when unclear, believing in verification and moral clarity in nuclear decisions.
Captain Frank Ramsey
Played by Gene Hackman
Veteran submarine commander who believes in absolute military authority and immediate execution of orders without question.
Lt. Roy Zimmer
Played by Matt Craven
Weapons officer caught between loyalty to the captain and support for the XO during the crisis.
Chief of the Boat 'COB' Mahoney
Played by George Dzundza
Senior enlisted advisor who sides with traditional chain of command and the captain's authority.
Lt. Peter 'Weps' Ince
Played by Viggo Mortensen
Weapons officer responsible for missile launch procedures during the disputed order crisis.
Radioman Vossler
Played by Lillo Brancato
Communications specialist who becomes crucial in attempting to verify the incomplete EAM message.
Lt. Paul Hellerman
Played by Scott Grimes
Navigator who supports Hunter's position during the mutiny and assists in challenging the captain.
Ensign Danny Rivetti
Played by Danny Nucci
Young sonar officer who demonstrates competence under pressure and backs the XO during the crisis.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes News footage depicts the Russian political crisis as rebel forces seize nuclear missiles, establishing the Cold War tensions and global stakes that will drive the narrative.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The USS Alabama receives emergency orders to deploy immediately as the Russian crisis escalates to DEFCON 3, forcing the submarine to sea and disrupting any sense of routine patrol.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The Alabama descends to patrol depth and enters true combat readiness as the Emergency Action Message orders them to prepare for nuclear launch. Hunter crosses into a world where nuclear war is imminent., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The incomplete Emergency Action Message arrives and is cut off by the attack. Ramsey orders launch preparation while Hunter refuses to concur without verification, splitting the command and triggering the central conflict., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ramsey retakes command with armed support, confines Hunter under arrest, and resumes the launch countdown. Hunter's moral stand appears to have failed completely as nuclear war seems inevitable., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Hunter's supporters free him and seize the missile control room. The radio is repaired just enough to potentially receive messages, giving Hunter one last chance to prove his position correct., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Crimson Tide's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Crimson Tide against these established plot points, we can identify how Tony Scott utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Crimson Tide within the action genre.
Tony Scott's Structural Approach
Among the 13 Tony Scott films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Crimson Tide takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tony Scott filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Tony Scott analyses, see Man on Fire, Enemy of the State and The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
News footage depicts the Russian political crisis as rebel forces seize nuclear missiles, establishing the Cold War tensions and global stakes that will drive the narrative.
Theme
Captain Ramsey tells Hunter during their first meeting: "We're here to preserve democracy, not to practice it," articulating the film's central tension between duty and conscience.
Worldbuilding
Hunter is introduced at home with his family, receives his assignment to the USS Alabama, meets Captain Ramsey, and boards the submarine where the hierarchical world and key crew members are established.
Disruption
The USS Alabama receives emergency orders to deploy immediately as the Russian crisis escalates to DEFCON 3, forcing the submarine to sea and disrupting any sense of routine patrol.
Resistance
As the Alabama heads out, Ramsey tests Hunter through drills and philosophical debates about war and leadership. The fire in the galley serves as a crucible revealing their different command styles.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Alabama descends to patrol depth and enters true combat readiness as the Emergency Action Message orders them to prepare for nuclear launch. Hunter crosses into a world where nuclear war is imminent.
Mirror World
Hunter's relationship with the crew, particularly weapons officer Weps and Chief of the Boat, deepens as they share perspectives on duty and family, revealing the human stakes beneath military protocol.
Premise
The submarine operates under war conditions, evading a Russian Akula-class attack submarine. The tension builds as the Alabama receives the launch order but then an incomplete second EAM arrives before verification.
Midpoint
The incomplete Emergency Action Message arrives and is cut off by the attack. Ramsey orders launch preparation while Hunter refuses to concur without verification, splitting the command and triggering the central conflict.
Opposition
Hunter relieves Ramsey of command under naval regulations, triggering a mutiny. Ramsey's loyalists counter, the submarine takes damage from the Russian sub, and control of the vessel swings back and forth as the launch clock ticks down.
Collapse
Ramsey retakes command with armed support, confines Hunter under arrest, and resumes the launch countdown. Hunter's moral stand appears to have failed completely as nuclear war seems inevitable.
Crisis
Hunter remains confined while the crew is fractured between loyalty to chain of command and conscience. The damaged submarine struggles to function as the launch sequence progresses toward point of no return.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Hunter's supporters free him and seize the missile control room. The radio is repaired just enough to potentially receive messages, giving Hunter one last chance to prove his position correct.
Synthesis
A tense standoff at the missile control room as both sides wait for radio contact. The message finally comes through confirming the Russian rebels have surrendered - Hunter was right. Both men face a tribunal where their actions are examined.
Transformation
At the Board of Inquiry, Ramsey recommends Hunter for his own command, acknowledging that Hunter's moral courage saved the world. The adversaries part with mutual respect, transformed by their ordeal.