THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (1990) C widescreen 134m dir: John McTiernan

w/Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill, James Earl Jones, Joss Ackland, Richard Jordan, Peter Firth, Tim Curry, Courtney B. Vance

From Variety's contemporary review of the film: "The Hunt for Red October is a terrific adventure yarn. Tom Clancy's 1984 Cold War thriller has been thoughtfully adapted to reflect the mellowing in the U.S.-Soviet relationship.

"Sean Connery is splendid as the renegade Soviet nuclear sub captain pursued by CIA analyst Alec Baldwin and the fleets of both superpowers as he heads for the coast of Maine. The filmmakers have wisely opted to keep the story set in 1984 --- "shortly before Gorbachev came to power," as the opening title puts it.

"Looking magnificent in his captain's uniform and white beard, Connery scores as the Lithuanian Marko Ramius, a cold-blooded killer and a meditator on Hindu scripture.

"Baldwin's intelligent and likable performance makes his Walter-Mittyish character come alive. He's combating not only the bulk of the Soviet fleet but also the reflexive anti-Communist mentality of most pursuing on the U.S. side --- not including his wise and avuncular CIA superior James Earl Jones.

"The Industrial Light & Magic special visual effects unit does yeoman work in staging the action with cliffhanger intensity."

THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER won an Oscar for Best Sound Effects Editing (Cecilia Hall, George Watters II). It was also nominated for Best Editing (Dennis, Virkler, John Wright and, Sound (Richard Bryce Goodman, Richard Overton, Kevin F. Cleary, Don Bassman).