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Film released	1989
Running time	130 mins
UK Certificate	PG

I have to say that normally watching an adaptation of a book, especially one as good as Red October, becomes a bore, as the film bears no resemblance to the book (the Bourne films are a good example of this). However this film is a very good representation of the book, as it follows the story line pretty closely.

Where there are changes you can understand why, for example, in the book the Russian Sailors are taken off with a rescue sub, in the film Ramius brings the boat to the surface and offloads them, on the pretence of a nuclear leak. A far faster way of doing it, and the film does not suffer from it. The Royal Navy are cut out, again it has no material effect as we concentrate on the submarine activity.

The casting of the main roles, is on the whole very good. Connery (in one of his better roles), comes across perfectly. James Earl Jones, as Greer, is also a fantastic. Cuddly bear on the outside, steel inside. The only one I'm not sure about is Alec Baldwin as Ryan. I'm not sure what doesn't gel, but he doesn't quite work for me. Although I'm not sure a younger Harrison Ford would have been perfect either. However it is a minor point, I expect others would find Baldwin the ideal casting. Perhaps it is because Baldwin only did the one film, he didn't get a chance to really take over the role. Ryan is really only a bit player in this, and his character is somewhat dwarfed by Connery, who was definitely at his best in this film. Must have been quite a change to play the opposition after all those years as Bond.

If there is a flaw in the film, it is perhaps, there isn't enough submarine warfare, the battle between the Alfa, and Red October is brief, and doesn't rack up the tension quite as much as it could.

Other aspects of the book that disappear is the trapping of the Soviet spy working in the Senators office. One thing that did surprise me is the disappearance of the President from the situation room. This I feel is totally amazing, as with a situation of such gravity being discussed, it is almost unthinkable that he would not be there.

In conclusion a good adaptation, read the book, then watch the film, and you can still see what book it came from, unlike some stories that get the Hollywood treatment!