In 1984, the USSR's best submarine captain in their newest sub violates orders and heads for the USA. Is he trying to defect, or to start a war? The United States reacts with surprise, curiousity, and intrigue when the captain, and selected crew of a Soviet missile submarine announce their intention to defect.
When John McTiernan's film of THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER opened in the spring of 1990 early reactions were mixed. Those who had read Tom Clancy's novel were upset at the way the story had been edited down. Those who had NOT read the book wondered how the tale could retain any relevance given the ongoing collapse of Soviet military power. And English speaking audiences everywhere were puzzled by the selection of Sean Connery as the movie's lead.