Down Periscope Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
A rusty sub. A rebel commander. A renegade crew. When destiny called, they should have hung up.
Lt. Cmdr Tom Dodge (Kelsey Grammer) is one of the Navy's best, even if he is a bit unconventional. But to take command of his own ship, he must first prove himself in simulated combat. Dodge is shocked when he's put in command of the rusty and outdated USS Stingray. His crew consists of the Navy's worst misfits and troublemakers. And to add salt to an open wound, Dodge's old rival, Adml. Graham (Bruce Dern), will be supervising the opposing team, the crew of the more-up-to-code USS Orlando. Dodge must now prove that he and his crew are up to the challenge...
| Kelsey Grammer | Lt. Cmdr. Thomas 'Tom' Dodge |
| Lauren Holly | Lt. Emily Lake, Diving Officer |
| Rob Schneider | Executive Officer Martin T. 'Marty' Pascoe |
| Harry Dean Stanton | CPO Howard, Chief Engineer |
| Bruce Dern | RAdm. Yancy Graham |
| William H. Macy | Cmdr. Carl Knox |
| Ken Hudson Campbell | Seaman Buckman |
| Toby Huss | Seaman Nitro 'Mike' |
| Duane Martin | Planesman 1st Class Jefferson 'R.J.' Jackson |
| Jonathan Penner | Seaman Stanley 'Spots' Sylvesterson |
| Bradford Tatum | Engineman 1st Class Brad Stepanak |
| Harland Williams | Seaman 2nd Class E.T. 'Sonar' Lovacelli |
| Rip Torn | Vice Adm. Dean Winslow |
| James Martin Jr. | Orlando Radioman |
| Jordan Marder | Orlando Ensign |
| David S. Ward |
5.30 out of 10 (6687 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Proof that the sum of the parts is often greater
posted on 22 Jun 2009There was a recent documentary on making movies, that featured a long list of actors and directors talking about what its like to make movies. One common theme was you can have a great script, great cast, the best director and lots of money and still create a bad movie.Down Periscope is proof of the corollary to that theory. Not an original or terribly well written screenplay. A few solid actors, but mostly unknowns, and this movie just makes you laugh out loud! It would be easy to just say that Kelsey Grammar carried this movie, but that isn't truly the case. Other character actors, like Rob Schneider, and the hilarious Harland Williams, added significantly to the enjoyability of the film.Cast dynamics, or that mysterious "movie magic" are really what happened here, creating a film that flows smoothly, has incredibly well executed transitions and line after line of well written and well performed dialog.A preposterous premise, lots and lots of technical inaccuracies and just plan silly things that could not happen in the real world, or the real navy, but you just don't care. As a merchant marine myself, I found that the overall feel of the movie, while not plausible, was also not too far off the mark as far as life at sea goes.This is a VERY funny movie, a good family film, and, particularly if your a fan, lots of Kelsey Grammar wit, sarcasm and just damn funniness.
I loved this flick
posted on 14 May 2009I'm glad they finally released it on DVD. I bought the video tape years ago and watch it at least once or twice a year.Grammer has a wry wit about him that really makes this movie a success. Its formula is certainly not original, but it's very funny nonetheless. I am very surprised that it didn't receive higher in the ratings.It ranks as one of my all-time favorite comedies. It's just a fun little flick that makes you feel good. And sometimes, that's all a movie is meant to be.
IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!
posted on 09 May 2009Have you ever gone to the theater and just picked a movie at random that you think sounds good? Well, that's what I did with this movie, and let me tell you....IT ROCKS!!! You walk into the theater with no expectations because, after all, you have no idea what to expect. You've never even heard of the film, so you take your chances and roll the dice. This was a fantastic film. No! It did not have huge success at the box office. No! It does not have superstar caliber actors. What it does have is great writing, great characters, and the kind of "off-the-wall" humor that makes you say, "I can't believe they just said that!". I especially like Harland Williams as "Sonar".
If you have never seen this movie please see it, even if you rent it first, because as far as I'm concerned it is a true classic! I will be buying it the day it is released. I have been waiting for this to come to DVD for about three or four years now. All I can say is.....IT'S ABOUT TIME!!! See this movie! You'll have a "whale" of a time!
FIVE STARS for it's humor and wacky characters (the kind that you feel you actually know, and will miss when the movie is over!) ENJOY it with a group of friends!
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My Wife Will Be Pleased
posted on 18 Apr 2009Did you like Dumb and Dumber? (yeah me too). I usually like that kind of humor, and I really liked Down Periscope. The weird part was that my wife (who doesn't like goofy humor) likes this movie too. Some of the humor is just silly, but some of it is just soooo funny. I remember seeing the opening scene as a preview at the movie theater, and knowing that I had to watch this film.
Things to do today:
1. Get this movie
2. Get some popcorn and a cold drink
3. Find your favorite Couch Buddy
4. Hit Play on your DVD player
Delightful Film
posted on 17 Apr 2009I just discovered this film and love it. Just the right mix of fast moving story, entertaining characters, hilarious moments (but not overloaded with stupid jokes), and fun performances by Kelsey Grammar, Harry Dean Stanton, Ron Schneider, Rip Torn and more. Buckman is especially good, and I really enjoyed watching the guy who played Stapanick.I also find it interesting that they used a real submarine, the Pampanito, for the running on top scenes and emulated it almost exactly for their sets. The set decoration is really impressive if you do a digital tour of the Pampanito online and then compare it to scenes in the movie. They did an excellent job on this film.What a light entertaining and truly enjoyable movie!
Hysterically clever and upbeat comedy.
posted on 14 Apr 2009Surprisingly good and quick-witted adventure that features Kelsey Grammer (supposedly in his first lead role in a feature) as an unconventional Navy sub commander who wants to run a nuclear sub of his own, however; he has earn it by competing against the U.S. Navy in a series of war-games with a crew of untested, questionable, and lovable men (and a woman, too).Director David S. Ward ("Major League") and his writers have put together a hysterically clever and upbeat comedy that tries to make the film easy to understand, which they do quite well. Second, besides the Grammer character, most of the crew provide some or plenty of the movie's humor, which is treated like a double-edged sword. Three members of the supporting cast - Harland Williams, Toby Huss, and Rob Schneider provide the funniest scenes, which includes weird gestures, impersonations, and, well, their personalities."Down Periscope" is more than a Navy version of "Police Academy" or "The Dirty Dozen". What the film does is get the job done the right way and I liked it.
I Can't Forget Those Cotton Swabs!
posted on 21 Jan 2009Odd,but what I remember most about this film is the guys stuffing cotton swabs up their nose! If you've seen the film, you know what I'm talking about!
Sometimes juvenile, sometimes stupid and sometimes very predictable.....but yet this was a fun movie that is charming at times, too. I did enjoy watching this.
The humor is a little sleazy at times but the language wasn't too bad. Kelsey Grammar plays a likable role in the Navy comedy. Most of his crew are somewhat stupid characters but I did laugh at the sonar man with the great hearing. Lauren Holly was okay as the female interest but Rob Schneider was just plain annoying and tended to overact. He's either very funny or very stupid in his films. Bruce Dern, as always, was an effective "bad guy."
The story is a favorite of the film industry: a bunch of rag-tag misfits and rebels somehow outwit and outmaneuver the larger Establishment experts with their high-tech machinery. No matter how improbable or ridiculous, Hollywood will not stop that formula Nonetheless, it's decent lightweight entertainment with a nice, sentimental ending.
Two on, two out, Bonds is up again....
posted on 09 Jan 2009This movie was panned by the critics (as I recall it was on Roger Ebert's Worst list that year) and sank without even a bubble at the theaters. Why? I have no idea--I have watched this movie about 10 times now and I just love it! Kelsey Grammar is perfect as a think-outside-the-box Naval officer with "Welcome Aboard" tatooed on his docking probe. Bruce Dern is the by-the-book admiral who doesn't want Grammar's character promoted to sub captain. Admiral Rip Torn has other ideas, wanting to use Grammar in a naval exercise. Dern tries to sabotage Grammar by sending him the worst crew he can find: inexperienced diving officer Lauren Holly, the guy who played the psycho in Something About Mary is the sonar man, and a way-over-the-top Rob Schneider as the Exec. San Francisco's own U.S.S. Pampanito stars as the rust-bucket Fleet Sub they're all assigned to. This is a fun, goofy movie that does not take itself too seriously. There are a number of hilarious scenes (IMHO) that quite frankly depend on sophomoric humor. Who cares! It's not as gross as Animal House, and the plot moves quicker. Give Down Periscope a shot.
Great Movie
posted on 05 Jan 2009I've enjoyed this movie ever since I first saw it in the theatre. Some movies have a cast of characters and a script that come together in perfect synergy, and this is one of them. The characters illustrate some truths about getting the best out of people, working together harmoniously, building a team and achieving goals, without ever preaching morality. The situations are crafted well and are consistent with the movie's opening premise. The tension builds nicely and the humor is clean and consistent throughout. The movie manages to pull me right in to root for the characters, and to laugh pretty well all the way through. This is a feel good movie as good as they come.What amazes me is that a movie which appears so simple can be so long term entertaining. The music is a perfect copy of music in the typical serious post war navy movies, which helps to create the humor and point out that greatness is in the eye of the beholder. The scenes in the credits are a great music video of "In the Navy", which deserve their own full screen special feature. The scenes and cuts are crafted well, and the casting and acting is right on.This movie is a classic as great as any ever made, without any pretensions. In fact, the lack of pretension is what makes it so much fun to watch. I love these guys and gal.The other day I thought of the film, and wondered whether it was available on DVD. Good fortune has come to us, and the DVD came out in May 2004. I headed to the store, and snapped up a copy. Then my wife and I enjoyed another hilarious night in front of the big screen. I've rated this movie as a 10 because it comes together on all levels, far better than many high budget films and Oscar winners. This is entertainment.Listen up Fox home video: you have a great movie in your vaults, and it's a shame to find a cheap shot DVD with badly degraded off tint colors only 8 years since release. So why not restore the colors and present the film as it was meant to be seen? I'd gladly pay a few bucks more to get the picture right. I'm grateful to have my own copy. Now give us the eye candy that the film deserves, and how about recreating the credit sequence as a full screen music video special feature.
Well, here's something new...
posted on 12 Dec 2008...a comedy without any laughs! A couple of misfits (a la police academy) in an old submarine, under leadership of miscasted Grammer (who apparently has a tattoo on his you know what, the source of more than half of the 'jokes' in this movie) play war games against cocky general with new submarine. Sound familiar? Boring and totally not funny. 2/10
FUNNY, FUNNY MOVIE
posted on 25 Nov 2008When will this be available on DVD? This is one of my family's favorite 'old stand-by' movies, (along with George of the Jungle and True Lies!) Visitors to our house not only get to see a funny movie, but also get to 'enjoy' the four of us acting out our favorites lines..."It's a parrot, from the Caribbean".
Not bad
posted on 17 Oct 2008The first time i watched this movie i wasn't crazy about it. Maybe i was in a bad mood that day. I gave it another chance some time later and really enjoyed it. Rob Schneider was hysterical as usual. Kelsey Grammer and the exploits of his misfit crew make for a good laugh. If you liked "hot shots" or "naked gun" movies, you will enjoy this too.
A great movie to watch over and over....
posted on 29 Sep 2008It is unfortunate that so many movies that become box office hits are so forgettable, and yet there exist good films like DOWN PERISCOPE that are passed over in review. I never tire of watching this movie; being an ex-Navy man, some of the characters spot-on match people I knew during my time, so I can appreciate the nautical humor. However, I place this movie in a league with the really good comedy movies of the last 20 or so years that combine brainless humor with a thoughtful, intellectual, and moral message. Definetly a must-buy when it comes out on DVD.
One of THE best comedy pictures
posted on 24 Aug 2008An outstanding outing for Kelsey Grammer and a cute tease on Navy brass. Why it took so long to get this to DVD one can only guess. Perhaps Paramount was trying to drop its inventory of VHS blanks; I know I've worn out a couple on this movie. Good family movie, almost reminiscent of old Disney slapstick humor and one liners. To bad the movie execs are not intuitive enough to make a sequel to this one. The laughs would be unstoppable on a modern day submarine.
Actually quite clever
posted on 22 Jul 2009This was a movie that actually took me by surprise. I am into the kind of zany comedy found in Hot Shots and The Naked Gun, but I don't think that they are good movies. They are just entertainment. This movie on the other hand is an example of the fact that there can be a modicum of intelligence in a crazy comedy.