Down Periscope
Lt. Cmdr. Tom Dodge is assigned as Captain to the USS Stingray, an old diesel driven submarine that has seen better days. With a crew that consists only of weird guys (and a gal), he's headed against the atomic powered USS Orlando, with the mission to destroy a dummy battleship.
The film earned $37.6M at the global box office.
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%)
Down Periscope (1996) demonstrates meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of David S. Ward's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Lt. Cmdr. Tom Dodge
Rear Admiral Yancy Graham
Lt. Emily Lake
Admiral Winslow
Lt. Martin Pascal
Nitro
Sonar
Buckman
Main Cast & Characters
Lt. Cmdr. Tom Dodge
Played by Kelsey Grammer
A rebellious, talented submarine officer passed over for promotion who gets one last chance to prove himself commanding a decrepit diesel sub.
Rear Admiral Yancy Graham
Played by Bruce Dern
A vindictive admiral who opposes Dodge's promotion and sets up a rigged war game to ensure his failure.
Lt. Emily Lake
Played by Lauren Holly
The Navy's first female submarine officer assigned to Dodge's crew as a test, who proves herself capable despite skepticism.
Admiral Winslow
Played by Rip Torn
A supportive admiral who believes in Dodge and gives him the opportunity to command despite opposition.
Lt. Martin Pascal
Played by Rob Schneider
Dodge's by-the-book executive officer who struggles to adapt to the unconventional crew and captain.
Nitro
Played by Ken Hudson Campbell
An electrician with a fascination for explosives and a loose grasp on safety protocols.
Sonar
Played by Harland Williams
A radio/sonar specialist with exceptional hearing who is obsessed with heavy metal music.
Buckman
Played by Toby Huss
A superstitious, overweight cook who sees omens everywhere and provides comic relief.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Commander Dodge at his promotion hearing, displaying his maverick reputation and tattoo incident. Shows him as skilled but unconventional, repeatedly passed over for his own command.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Admiral Winslow offers Dodge command of the USS Stingray, a rusty diesel submarine, for a war game. It's clearly a setup for failure—Winslow wants to prove mavericks don't deserve command.. At 11% 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Dodge makes the active choice to accept the mission and board the Stingray. He commits to proving he and his crew can succeed despite the odds. "Welcome to the Stingray" - they cast off., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: The Stingray successfully evades detection and penetrates the defense zone. The crew celebrates their first major success. Stakes raise—Winslow realizes Dodge might actually win and intensifies opposition., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Stingray is disabled and dead in the water after a depth charge attack. The crew is demoralized, believing they've failed. Dodge faces mutiny and the apparent death of their mission and his career., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Dodge realizes they can use their diesel sub's unique capabilities—playing dead, silent running, old-school tactics. The crew rallies behind him, synthesizing their misfit skills with his unconventional leadership for one final push., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Down Periscope'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 Down Periscope against these established plot points, we can identify how David S. Ward utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Down Periscope within the comedy genre.
David S. Ward's Structural Approach
Among the 5 David S. Ward films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Down Periscope represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David S. Ward filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more David S. Ward analyses, see Major League II, Major League and The Program.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Commander Dodge at his promotion hearing, displaying his maverick reputation and tattoo incident. Shows him as skilled but unconventional, repeatedly passed over for his own command.
Theme
Admiral Graham tells Dodge: "The Navy needs leaders who think outside the box." Theme of unconventional methods and judging by results rather than protocol is established.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Navy politics, Admiral Graham vs. Admiral Winslow rivalry. Dodge is denied promotion again. We see the rigid hierarchical system and Winslow's disdain for Dodge's unconventional approach.
Disruption
Admiral Winslow offers Dodge command of the USS Stingray, a rusty diesel submarine, for a war game. It's clearly a setup for failure—Winslow wants to prove mavericks don't deserve command.
Resistance
Dodge debates accepting the assignment, knowing it's a trap. He meets his misfit crew one by one: the barely-sighted sonar man, the tattooed electrician, the incompetent officers. Admiral Graham mentors him to accept the challenge.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dodge makes the active choice to accept the mission and board the Stingray. He commits to proving he and his crew can succeed despite the odds. "Welcome to the Stingray" - they cast off.
Mirror World
Lt. Emily Lake arrives as the diving officer—the Navy's first female submarine officer. She represents playing by the rules while earning respect, contrasting Dodge's maverick approach. Their relationship will explore the theme.
Premise
The promise of submarine comedy: Dodge trains his misfit crew with unconventional methods. Diesel sub tricks, learning to work as a team, initial war game maneuvers. The crew bonds despite their differences. Fun and games of outsmarting the modern Navy.
Midpoint
False victory: The Stingray successfully evades detection and penetrates the defense zone. The crew celebrates their first major success. Stakes raise—Winslow realizes Dodge might actually win and intensifies opposition.
Opposition
Winslow cheats and escalates: sends attack submarines, attempts to disqualify them on technicalities, creates obstacles. Internal crew conflicts surface. The crew's flaws and inexperience catch up with them. Pressure mounts from all sides.
Collapse
The Stingray is disabled and dead in the water after a depth charge attack. The crew is demoralized, believing they've failed. Dodge faces mutiny and the apparent death of their mission and his career.
Crisis
Dodge confronts his own doubts about whether he pushed too hard. The crew debates giving up. Dark night where they must decide if they believe in themselves and their unorthodox captain.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dodge realizes they can use their diesel sub's unique capabilities—playing dead, silent running, old-school tactics. The crew rallies behind him, synthesizing their misfit skills with his unconventional leadership for one final push.
Synthesis
The finale: Stingray uses diesel submarine advantages to sneak into Charleston Harbor. They execute Dodge's unorthodox plan, evade the modern fleet, and successfully complete their mission objective—firing on the target, proving the exercise's point about vulnerability.
Transformation
Dodge receives his promotion and respect at last. The crew is honored. Closing image mirrors the opening hearing, but now Dodge is vindicated—his unconventional approach proved effective. The Navy salutes the Stingray as heroes.