Hunt for Red October 1990 (2016)

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Practical Effects and Model Work

  • Commenters love the breakdown of ILM’s miniature work, especially the large Red October model mounted on a hidden pylon.
  • Some feel the added explosions and depth-charge effects are visually “intrusive,” but consensus is they’re analog elements composited in, not early CGI.
  • The recently purchased large-scale Red October is noted; some argue it’s more than a “prop” given its engineering complexity.

Underwater Filming Techniques

  • Discussion centers on ILM’s choice of a smoke-filled “underwater” stage instead of real water.
  • Advantages cited: no need for underwater cameras/pools, easier motion-control, and avoidance of scale issues like unrealistic splashes and bubbles.
  • Some find these shots occasionally look like “a model in smoke,” and compare them (often unfavorably) to miniatures in Das Boot.
  • Other films are mentioned that faked underwater scenes on land for practical or actor-related reasons.

Submarine Design and Life Aboard

  • The real Typhoon-class swimming pool sparks surprise and interest; linked videos and photos confirm it existed.
  • Explanation: Typhoons’ twin pressure hulls and missile arrangement created unusual internal volume, allowing luxuries like a pool.
  • Multiple anecdotes from US and allied navies emphasize how important food, small comforts, and “playing hard” are for morale on subs and ships.

Accuracy, Realism, and Veteran Perspectives

  • A former US submariner describes taking cast/crew to sea pre-production and praises the film’s jargon and operational details as largely accurate.
  • Some note that, like Apollo 13, the film amps up interpersonal drama compared to the more restrained behavior of real crews.

Film Craft, Performances, and Longevity

  • Many say the movie “weirdly” still holds up—visually, tonally, and structurally—despite its Cold War setting.
  • The linguistic trick that shifts from Russian to English mid-scene is widely admired.
  • Scott Glenn’s captain is especially praised as the definitive on-screen version; Connery’s accent as a Soviet officer is seen as both iconic and implausible.

Source Material, Inspirations, and Related Works

  • The real mutiny on the frigate Storozhevoy is referenced as Clancy’s inspiration.
  • Early Clancy novels, especially Red Storm Rising, are praised for insight into Soviet/Russian doctrine, spawning a tangent on Cold War vs. modern Russian capabilities.
  • Recommended adjacent works include Das Boot, Crimson Tide, The Wolf’s Call, a submarine-effects YouTube series, and a podcast on ’90s political thrillers.