Revealing mistake: After the XO orders all stop, we see a close-up of the ship's yoke being pulled back. The next wide shot shows the interior as the bow of the sub is rising, and just before this shot ends, note the console that the man with headphones is working at. A pair of crewmembers cross paths in the foreground, then the entire console wobbles, proving it isn't attached to the floor at all. (01:09:00)
Crimson Tide (1995)
1 revealing mistake
Directed by: Tony Scott
Starring: Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, George Dzundza, Matt Craven, Viggo Mortensen
Factual error: Throughout the movie, everytime some type of casualty occurs or an alarm sounds, police type lights go off throughout the ship. Submarines don't have flashing lights or grated decks for that matter throughout the ship. The sound of the alarm is enough, since there are no deaf personnel on board a submarine. (00:23:10)
Trivia: In the beginning of the movie, where it shows a rather scenic footage of the sub about to dive, the exact shot was also used in G.I. Jane. Note that Crimson Tide was directed by Tony Scott and GI Jane by brother Ridley. A bit of sibling teamwork?
Question: I know that this film was set in the 1990s but even then, was smoking permitted on US submarines? It would seem a bit odd given that the crew are relying on recycled oxygen.
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Answer: In the most technical sense ("by the book") it is against policy. But then, the Marines do not allow tattoos and look how well that's enforced. It is up to the ship's Captain to enforce such regulations, and at sea, there's no one to penalize him if he chooses to let the crew smoke at certain times, given certain conditions.
johnrosa