Before defining the archetypal anti-hero and becoming the face of prestige television in the 21st century as Tony Soprano of The Sopranos, James Gandolfini was a reliable supporting character actor in movies such as Get Shorty, Night Falls on Manhattan, the 12 Angry Men remake, and 8mm. After years of honing his craft alongside the biggest movie stars, like John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, and the most accomplished directors, like Barry Sonnenfeld, Sidney Lumet, and William Friedkin, Gandolfini was ready to take over television in 1999.
During his pre-HBO era, Gandolfini had the illustrious honor of acting alongside Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman in Tony Scott’s gripping submarine war thriller, Crimson Tide. While the 1995 film is a tour de force for the dueling Washington and Hackman as power-wielding commanders, Gandolfini thrives in the background as a naval officer whose indelible imprint elevates an inconsequential role into a scene stealer.
James Gandolfini Steals the Show Among the Star-Studded Cast of ‘Crimson Tide’

Image via Hollywood Pictures 

While often critically maligned during his time, Tony Scott’s slick and expressive cinematic language, similar to the glossy MTV music video aesthetic of the ’80s and ’90s, redefined the look of all blockbusters, with many films in his wake trying to emulate his distinct brand of filmmaking, which included rapid-fire editing and dynamic canted angles in films like Top Gun and The Last Boy Scout. An early example of a vulgar auteurist, Scott and his frequent producing partner, Jerry Bruckheimer, were a guaranteed recipe to create invigorating entertainment, films that audiences yearn for today. Crimson Tide, a high-concept thriller centered around movie star magic and expertly crafted setpieces, provokes viewers to proclaim, “They don’t make them like they used to!” while watching. The film follows Hunter (Washington), a young First Officer who clashes with his trigger-happy Captain, Ramsey (Hackman), who prevents him from heedlessly launching missiles in an all-out blitz.

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Crimson Tide, which also stars Matt Craven, George Dzundza, and Viggo Mortensen, reunites Tony Scott with James Gandolfini following the latter’s breakout performance as a ruthless hitman in True Romance. Gandolfini plays Lieutenant Robert “Bobby” Dougherty, a Supply Officer on the USS Alabama. We often see him chatting with his fellow lower-ranking officers, debating the credentials of their XO commander in Hunter, as well as passionate discussions about other submarine movies, particularly The Enemy Below (this scene is a blatant reminder that Quentin Tarantino did uncredited re-writes for the film). In a setting clouded in imminent doom, Gandolfini provides needed levity in these scenes.
Tony Scott Elevates the Screen Presence of James Gandolfini in ‘Crimson Tide’

A prototype for Tony Soprano, Bobby is shown to be incredibly loose and charismatic before exerting his domineering rage on unsuspecting officers. When Ramsey attempts to regain control of his submarine, Bobby acts as muscle for the mutinous captain, and he naturally intensifies the life-or-death stakes of the film by his presence alone, as you suspect that he could take everyone down, notably when he personally tries to control the ship amid the transfer of power between Hunter and Ramsey. In the ’90s, Gandolfini was typecast as heavys, often enforcers assigned to handle a situation, but he always turned these generic roles into ones with depth and unforeseen gravitas.

Although Scott was unfairly regarded as all style and no substance, Crimson Tide pays great attention to its actors’ faces in moments of distress and turmoil. Washington and Hackman convey so much emotionality through the most subtle gestures, but Gandolfini’s reaction shots attest to the late actor’s impeccable performance craft. While the Bobby character has no arc nor is he a central figure in the narrative, he remains unmistakable due to Gandolfini’s minor touches. More than anything, his distinct speaking patterns and vocal tenor not only served his abilities as a reliable character actor, but his innate skills made him the perfect counter to the overwhelming star power of Washington and Hackman. As the psychologically complex mob boss on HBO, Gandolfini’s layered expressions lent an inscrutable quality to the character. In Crimson Tide, as power and allegiances shift in the blink of an eye, Bobby’s status is especially precarious, and the actor gives him an edge of chaos.
The signature Tony Scott style — the vibrant colors, gliding camera movements, and intercutting action sequences — are all present in Crimson Tide. However, the director recognizes the movie star magic he has on his plate, so he never lets his style compromise the scintillating chemistry between his actors, particularly between the rivaling Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman. While watching the film, don’t sleep on that James Gandolfini guy hanging out in the background. He’s sure to be going places.

Crimson Tide

Release Date

May 12, 1995

Runtime

116 Minutes

Writers

Michael Schiffer