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The Final Countdown [1980]
![The Final Countdown [1980]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JZiMBpJEL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £2.48 (subject to change)
Nice idea - Shame about the script!
Review date: 2008-06-27 Rating: 6 out of 10
The idea that a modern nuclear aircraft carrier, fully armed with a swarm of state-of-the-art attack planes, should be catapulted back into the path of the Japanese navy as it approached Pearl Harbour in 1941 is absolutely bursting with possibilities.
If you then add in such actors as Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen, plus the full collaboration of the US Navy, then you can reasonably expect to be in for a treat of the "what if" kind.
Unfortunately, while I found the film to be a very workmanlike effort and well worth a visit, I felt that the enormous potential of the story and the various paradoxes it explores were lost in a kind of extended public relations exercise for the US Navy.
Nice idea - pity about the script - but still worth a visit.
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Reviews
Seen a lot worse
Review date: 2007-10-12 Rating: 6 out of 10
Nearer 4 stars for me. This is a fine piece of entertainment that doesn't overstay its welcome (running time = 98 minutes). I've always been a sucker for time travel stories and this is pretty good.
This has a good cast, including Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen and Katherine Ross. The story is incredibly unlikely but somehow it works and the ending was a complete surprise to me. Unlike one of the previous reviewers I didn't find the acting/script that bad.
OK so I wouldn't buy it at new release prices but at the right price (i.e. cheap) its worth getting and my feeling is that I'm going to enjoy it more when I watch it again.
Absolute drivel...
Review date: 2007-09-05 Rating: 2 out of 10
This is one of those movies that lasts for what seems like days, and at the end you are left thinking 'Well, what was the point in that?'. The movie has everything; bad acting, (very) bad dialogue, an incredibly cheesy and predictable plot, and some of the most ponderous direction to ever grace the screen. It comes across as a poor TV-movie that some hollywood stars happen to be in, as well as naval-aviation soft p0rn.
I can't believe that people actually went to see this in the cinema - I watched it on TV for free, and I still left like I'd been robbed and abused.
Avoid.
Clearly.
Great Fun
Review date: 2007-07-09 Rating: 10 out of 10
US Navy F14s fighting Japanese Zeros just before Pearl Harbour. Survivors picked out of the water by 1980s helicopters. This film is a joy to watch. Filmed on board the USS Nimitz.
When they discover the Japanese fleet approaching Pearl Harbour one of the US Navy officers says to Capt Kirk Douglas 'shall we take it out sir?' One modern day warship against the whole Jap fleet. Great fun.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Martin Sheen
Kirk Douglas
Katharine Ross
James Farentino
Ron O'Neal
Creators:
Kirk Douglas (Primary Contributor)
Martin Sheen (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060034573654
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2007-04-02
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 106 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1980
Language: English (Original Language)