The Hunley (1999) (TV)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

John Gray

Writers:

John Fasano (story)
John Gray (story)

Release Date:

11 July 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | History | War

Plot:

CSS Hunley tells the incredible true story of the crew of the manually propelled submarine CSS Hunley...

Plot Keywords:

Kicked In Butt | U Boat | Submarine

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Armand Assante	...	Lt. George Dixon
Donald Sutherland	...	Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard
Alex Jennings	...	Lt. Alexander
Chris Bauer	...	Simkins (as Christopher Bauer)
Gerry Becker	...	Capt. Pickering
Michael Dolan	...	Becker
Sebastian Roché	...	Collins
Michael Stuhlbarg	...	Wicks
Jeff Mandon	...	Miller
Frank Vogt	...	Ronald White
Jack Baun	...	Ridgeway
Kevin Robertson	...	Carlson
Caprice Benedetti	...	Dixon's Wife
Jon Huffman	...	Indian Chief Captain
Dane Ritter	...	Beauregard's Aide

Also Known As:

C.S.S. Hunley (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

Netherlands:94 min | USA:120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Company:

Adelson Entertainment

Trivia:

Though many details of Lt. Dixon's life and military service are taken from fact, most of the other crew have uncertain identities.

Soundtrack:

Haul Away, Joe

A Joyous Surprise

Have you ever channel surfed when theres nothing in particuliar you want to watch,and you stop on a channel where theres a film starting.You dont bother to check the T.V guide,but you look at the synopsis,find it mildly interesting so you give it a try,and then after 15 minutes of viewing you become so engrossed that you forget that you were bored only a short time ago and you are now enjoying a film youve never even heard of before.This is such a film.I came across it one cold Sunday afternoon on cable,it drew me in immediately,quite a surprise for me as i normally avoid made for T.V movies,but sometimes you come across a product that has an interesting and unique story,a few old but well respected actors(Amand Assante and Donald Sutherland)and most surprising of all for a T.V movie,a lavish expensive looking feel and fantastic effects.The story,which is based on a true event,is set during the American civil war and centres on the confederate armies attempt to take the town of Charleston.The rebels fight back with a new invention,the first attempt at making a submarine that if successful would dive below an enemy ship with a torpedo in tow and sink the ship.The scenes involving the crew of seven men cramped inside the tiny banged together prototype sub are genuinely claustrophobic,and you can almost feel the tension and confinement they undoubtedly suffer.The crew themselves are a collection of intrigueing personalities that you will warm too whilst watching the film,and it is that coupled with the fact that this a true story which make the ending that much more harrowing.A true gem of a film.