Few environments are more claustrophobic and tense than a submarine during wartime, which has served as the basis for several astounding war movies. With nowhere to run and the perils of limited air, water pressure, and potential attacks to worry about, this high-stakes situation has led to some of the greatest depictions of war ever seen on the big screen. Boasting works from all-time great directors like Kathryn Bigelow and Wolfgang Petersen, submarine war movies consist of everything from action-packed blockbuster spectacles to deeply introspective dramatic releases.
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Some of the best war movies of all time have been set on submarines, as this acts as the perfect environment to portray the complex tactics of warfare and the split-second decision-making that goes into active conflict. While several great submarine war movies focus on genuine historical events, others were genre-bending journeys into the terrifying potential of conflict at sea. Although there have been plenty of underrated submarine war movies over the years, these releases have surfaced as the best of them all.
You are watching: 10 Best Submarine War Movies, Ranked
10
U-571 (2000)
Directed by Jonathan Mostow
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U-571
PG-13
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Action
War
1/10
Release Date
April 20, 2000
Runtime
116 minutes
Cast
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Matthew McConaughey
-
Bill Paxton
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Although the historical inaccuracies of U-571 made it such a controversial war movie that UK Prime Minister Tony Blair actually spoke out against it (via BBC), when viewed on its cinematic merits alone, it was actually an enjoyable exploration of submarine warfare. The controversy around this movie stemmed from its fictional story about Americans boarding a German submarine to capture an Enigma cipher machine, a depiction that many felt erased the genuine heroic actions of British navy officers.
However, if viewed as a fictional war movie, U-571 was an excellent showcase of the silent tactics and evasive maneuvers needed to pull off a complex submarine war mission. With Matthew McConaughey as Lieutenant Andrew Tyler, this divisive movie highlights genuine tactics related to sonar pings to locate submarines, fixing mechanical failures under pressure, and utilizing periscope-assisted torpedo targeting. While this may not be enough to save U-571 from criticism, it still deserves to be recognized for its technical achievements.
9
K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
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K-19: The Widowmaker
PG-13
Drama
History
Thriller
Release Date
July 19, 2002
Runtime
138 Minutes
Cast
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Harrison Ford
-
Liam Neeson
-
Peter Sarsgaard
-
Joss Ackland
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Future Best Picture-winning director Kathryn Bigelow made an enjoyable submarine war movie that sadly bombed at the box office with K-19: The Widowmaker. This story of a Russian submarine on her maiden voyage starred Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson as the crew raced to save the malfunctioning ship and prevent a nuclear disaster. With high stakes and an A-list cast, K-19: The Widowmaker was a gripping drama that only grossed a disappointing $65.7 million (via Box Office Mojo) against its $100 million budget.
While K-19: The Widowmaker has been criticized for technical inaccuracies and historical compromises, the strong performance from Ford helped this movie stand out as one of the most underappreciated war movies of the early 2000s. Featuring classic submarine war movie themes of limited oxygen, water pressure, and the threat of enemy attacks, K-19: The Widowmaker included much of the same intense energy that made Bigelow’s later movies like The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty so successful.
8
Below (2002)
Directed by David Twohy
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Below
R
Thriller
Horror
Mystery
Release Date
August 11, 2002
Runtime
105 minutes
Cast
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Bruce Greenwood
Brice
-
Matthew Davis
Odell
-
Olivia Williams
Claire
-
Zach Galifianakis
Weird Wally
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The submarine war movie Below blended its nautical concept with aspects of supernatural horror to tell a World War II story unlike any other. With a script co-written by Darren Aronofsky, this little-known movie told the story of a United States Navy submarine experiencing mysterious happenings while on patrol in the Atlantic Ocean in 1943. Through sensory delusion and mental depiction, this navy crew becomes increasingly embroiled in a haunting situation after rescuing the survivors of a sunken ship.
As a genre-bending film that’s hard to categorize, Below was very different from the average submarine movie as it introduced a supernatural element. With a creepy and claustrophobic style, Below used its WWII setting to explore psychological anguish and exploit the terrifying nature of its enclosed submarine setting. With nowhere to hide from its slow-building tension, Below was a truly terrifying submarine war movie.
7
The Bedford Incident (1965)
Directed by James B. Harris
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The Bedford Incident
Drama
Thriller
War
Release Date
October 11, 1965
Runtime
102 minutes
Cast
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Richard Widmark
-
Sidney Poitier
-
James MacArthur
-
Martin Balsam
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The Bedford Incident explored Cold War tensions while they were actually ongoing and explored contemporary fears of nuclear warfare. From director James B. Harris, who was best known for his work producing for Stanley Kubrick, the film starred Sidney Poitier as a photojournalist who found himself onboard the United States Navy destroyer USS Bedford. The Bedford Incident offered a unique glimpse into a civilian’s experience of war as he witnessed the infighting and conflicting goals of the senior navy men.
With Richard Widmark as the obsessive leader Captain Eric Finlander, The Bedford Incident took influence from Moby-Dick in his single-minded pursuit of an enemy Soviet submarine. As a chilling warning about the dangers of wartime paranoia, The Bedford Incident powerfully addressed current U.S. fears in the wake of the Cuban Missile Crisis. With strong performance, great characters, and a message that has remained relevant, this was a must-watch submarine war movie.
6
Greyhound (2020)
Directed by Aaron Schneider
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Greyhound
PG-13
War
Drama
5/10
Release Date
July 10, 2020
Runtime
91 minutes
Cast
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Lee Norris
-
Elisabeth Shue
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Tom Hanks added to his impressive resume of war movies with the thrilling submarine story Greyhound. Featuring Hanks as US Navy Commander Ernie Krause, despite military seniority and extensive naval education, this was his first military command mission as he led USS Keeling and 37 merchant and troop ships across the Atlantic. Difficulties arose as Commander Krause entered the ‘Black Pit,’ a stretch of sea where he and his crew were out of range from air protection.
With Krause embroiled in a terrifying game of cat and mouse against German U-boats, Greyhound was a realistic depiction of naval warfare as this commanding officer was forced to act under extreme pressure. Similar to Hanks’ performance in Sully, Greyhound showcased the actor’s skill for embodying men who rise to greatness in times of intense stress, as Krause preemptively planned for emergencies and found unique ways to keep his men alive. As an Apple TV+ release that was underseen at the time of its release, viewers should go back and check out this swift but thrilling 91-minute movie.
5
Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)
Directed by Robert Wise
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Run Silent, Run Deep
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Action
Drama
War
Release Date
March 27, 1958
Runtime
93 minutes
Cast
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Clark Gable
-
Burt Lancaster
-
Jack Warden
-
Brad Dexter
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Two cinematic icons came together when Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster shared the screen in Run Silent, Run Deep. This World War II submarine story explored the fortitude of soldiers during wartime and the courage, endurance, and tested loyalty as soldiers come face-to-face with enemy ships in the Pacific Ocean. With a United States crew seeking vengeance against a Japanese destroyer that sunk several American submarines, Run Silent, Run Deep blended the nautical obsession of Moby-Dick with the infighting of Mutiny on the Bounty.
While Run Silent, Run Deep was based on a novel by Edward L. Beach, Jr., it deviated greatly from its source material, although it maintained many of the same characters. Director Robert Wise brought the same sense of urgency to this submarine war movie as earlier projects like the sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still. By showcasing both the camaraderie and tensions that occur among fellow navy men, Run Silent, Run Deep provided unique insight into the good and the bad of life aboard a submarine during wartime.
4
The Enemy Below (1957)
Directed by Dick Powell
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The Enemy Below
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Action
Adventure
Drama
Release Date
December 25, 1957
Runtime
98 Minutes
Cast
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-
Robert Mitchum
-
Curd Jürgens
-
Theodore Bikel
-
David Hedison
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The Enemy Below condensed the sprawling complexities of the Second World War down to one conflict between one American and one German commanding officer. With Robert Mitchum as the US destroyer escort Captain Murrell and Curd Jürgens as German U-boat Kapitän zur See von Stolberg, The Enemy Below showed how a worldwide conflict can quickly become intensely personal. With two incredible central performances, director and producer Dick Powell captured the thrilling intensity of Denys Rayner’s original novel.
With each commanding officer drawing a wealth of nautical experience in their attempts to outsmart the other, The Enemy Below became a battle of the wits set at sea. As two evenly matched foes, it was thrilling to watch this intense game of cat and mouse that was elevated by some impressive technical special effects. While a subpar romantic subplot meant The Enemy Below was far from perfect, it still stood as an impressive submarine war movie that has never gotten enough credit.
3
Crimson Tide (1995)
Directed by Tony Scott
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Crimson Tide
R
Thriller
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Action
Drama
17
9.4/10
Release Date
May 12, 1995
Runtime
116 Minutes
Cast
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-
Denzel Washington
-
Gene Hackman
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Denzel Washington teamed up with the late director Tony Scott for the very first time for the submarine war movie Crimson Tide. This epic story of a conflict between two US marines in a nuclear submarine during a nuclear standoff with Russia made for edge-of-your-seat viewing that was elevated by a strong script from Michael Schiffer, which reportedly also featured uncredited contributions from Quentin Tarantino (via Collider.) Featuring Washington opposite Gene Hackman, there was some extraordinary talent involved in Crimson Tide.
With Washington as second-in-command to Hackman, tension built through Crimson Tide as the pair’s disagreements could have dire effects on a potential attack on the United States from Japan. Through mutiny and standoffs, Crimson Tide balanced Scott’s unique brand of action-packed suspense with innate fears of mutually assured destruction and the consequences of a nuclear attack. As one of Scott’s greatest movies, Crimson Tide was both entertaining and thought-provoking.
2
The Hunt For Red October (1990)
Directed by John McTiernan
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The Hunt for Red October
PG
Thriller
10/10
Release Date
March 2, 1990
Runtime
135 Minutes
Cast
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Sean Connery
-
Alec Baldwin
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The Die Hard director John McTiernan took his talent for expertly crafted action movies and applied it to the submarine war genre with The Hunt for Red October. This exceptional submarine spy story starred Sean Connery in one of his greatest performances as Captain 1st rank Marko Ramius, Commanding Officer of Red October. Set during the Cold War, The Hunt for Red October featured Connery as a defecting Soviet captain aboard an advanced ballistic missile submarine and the CIA’s attempts to avoid a violent confrontation that’s in danger of spiraling out of control.
With a high-stakes premise and an intriguing political context, The Hunt for Red October was a hit with critics and audiences alike and has gone down in history as one of the most exciting submarine war movies of all time. As an old-fashioned thriller that kept viewers on the edge of their seats throughout, The Hunt for Red October was as fun as it was suspenseful. With great supporting performances from the likes of Alec Baldwin, Tim Curry, and James Earl Jones, everything about this film just worked.
1
Das Boot (1981)
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
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Das Boot
Drama
War
9/10
Release Date
September 17, 1981
Runtime
149 Minutes
Cast
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-
Jurgen Prochnow
-
Herbert Grönemeyer
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The German World War II epic Das Boot was the submarine war movie by which all others will be eternally judged. As director Wolfgang Petersen’s magnum opus, this stunning exploration of life onboard a German submarine U-96 during World War II captured both the mundanity and terror of life at sea during wartime. As an epic cinematic experience that showcased submarine life with a level of intensity never before seen, it was thrilling to watch this crew’s hazardous patrol in the Battle of the Atlantic and the heart-racing panic of active conflict.
Das Boot has rightfully been praised as one of the greatest German movies ever made, as its authenticity and immersive sense of realism mean it has not lost any of its innate powers in the decades since its release. With an inspiring anti-war message, Das Boot showcased the perils of tactical warfare and the split-second decision-making required when things go wrong. With the complete uncut miniseries edition of the film clocking in at a whopping 308 minutes, Das Boot was an epic, ambitious, and awe-inspiring piece of cinema.
Sources: BBC, Box Office Mojo, Collider
Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment