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The Final Countdown
1980
When the US aircraft carrier Nimitz collides with an unnatural storm, the crew are transported from the present to Pearl Harbour - December 6th, 1941. Captain Kirk Douglas must decide whether to interfere with the past and stop the Japanese Fleet attacking the US base or let history run its course... Read more
| Starring | Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino |
|---|---|
| Director | Don Taylor |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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The Final Countdown
When the US aircraft carrier Nimitz collides with an unnatural storm, the crew are transported from the present to Pearl Harbour - December 6th, 1941. Captain Kirk Douglas must decide whether to interfere with the past and stop the Japanese Fleet attacking the US base or let history run its course...
| Starring | Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino, Ron O'Neal, Charles Durning |
|---|---|
| Director | Don Taylor |
| Studio | HOLLYWOOD DVD LTD |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 39 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 28 Jan 2002 Production year: 1980 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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What would have happened if the Americans possessed modern aircraft carriers and nuclear weapons during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941? That's the ingenious premise of this absorbing science-fiction thriller as Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen sail into a time warp and have the power to alter history at the touch of a button. Reminiscent of the Twilight Zone but on a big budget, the film was given unprecedented and complete access to film aboard the USS Nimitz.
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Quite an enjoyable bit of schoolboy science fiction, but containing no more body than an episode of Twilight Zone. The ending, as so often, is impenetrable.
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Most helpful member's review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
A Great What If Movie
What if the Americans had been ready for the Nipponese at Pearl Harbour... and with todays (well 1980's) modern aircraft carrier, jet fighters and missiles?
The way this movie portrays the US attitudes of the time, the outcome would have been no different, the fleet would have still been sunk (maybe be friendly fire?).
Personally, I feel this film is a little unfair on the Americans, which is in itself quite rare for its time - before self spanking films such as "Full Metal Jacket".
The story borrows a little from "The Philadelphia Experiment" and Kirk Douglas is totally at ease with his role, wisely allowing the lower ranks to do the arguing for him, though with a lightly veiled gung ho spirit.
Taking a few moments here and there to explain a few details for the non-historians, yet unfortunately telegraphing the final twist ahead of it's time.
By the way, if you watch "Hunt for Red October" you may find that Alec Baldwin's character a little reminiscent of Martin Sheen's role in this film.
We all know the outcome of Pearl Harbour, but you may still feel cheated by the outcome of this film, which in all fairness is rather difficult for the writers to avoid! -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Great idea for a movie
Had this been a big budget blockbuster, chances are the story could have been different. The US aircraft carrier Nimitz in battle with the Jap fleet about to attack Pearl Harbor. In the movie, they do not engage in a battle. I was desperate to see how a modern aircraft carrier would fare against a whole Jap fleet.
Still a movie I'd recommend to anyone remotely interested in time travelling aircraft carriers. -
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When the US aircraft carrier Nimitz collides with an unnatural storm, the crew are transported from the present to Pearl Harbour - December 6th, 1941. Captain Kirk Douglas must decide whether to ... -