This submarine drama marks the first screen appearance of Jack Ryan, the US agent subsequently played by Harrison Ford in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger and, more recently, by Ben Affleck in The Sum of All Fears. Here, Ryan (Alec Baldwin) plays a distinct second fiddle to the Russian commander (a charismatic Sean Connery) who sparks an international crisis when he starts heading his sub straight for the USA. As the superpowers engage in the usual round of accusations and denials, it's left to Ryan to figure out whether the Russian is defecting or preparing to attack. The talented supporting cast (Sam Neill, Tim Curry, Joss Ackland, James Earl Jones, Scott Glenn) gives a pleasing sheen to the material, while John McTiernan's no-frills direction ensures that the tension rarely slips below pressure-cooker level.

A new technologically-superior Soviet nuclear sub, the Red October, is heading for the U.S. coast under the command of Captain Marko Ramius. The American government thinks Ramius is planning to attack. Lone CIA analyst Jack Ryan has a different idea: he thinks Ramius is planning to defect, but he has only a few hours to find him and prove it - because the entire Russian naval and air commands are trying to find Ramius, too. The hunt is on!