The best Tom Clancy novel became the best Tom Clancy movie in 1990. The film is an excellent example of structure, characters, theme, and escalating drama.

The movie benefits from Basil Poledouris' excellent score. "Hymn for Red October," is one of my most-played songs in Winamp. Hearing it soar over the beautiful photography of Red October's opening sequence gives me shivers.

The film's opening seconds put a twist on the 'Based on a True Story' technique by introducing the intriguing and highly political situation, then saying, "But according to repeated statements by both Soviet and American governments, nothing of what you are about to see ever happened." This is even more effective than saying 'Based on a True Story.'

The movie begins as far into the story as possible: Captain Ramius has already made his decision (he's going to defect), and he is ready to act. Jack Ryan meets with Admiral Greer to discuss a new Soviet sub that threatens American security.

The movie continues with lots of submarine how-to. Audiences love how-to. Whether or not it belongs this early in the movie is questionable. But that's okay: it quickly becomes more exciting. Ramius kills a political officer so that he can take complete control of his boat and defect, rather than following his orders. And so, the story is set in motion.

The conflict of Red October is several levels deep. Ramius is opposing the Russian government, fighting with his own crew and a saboteur, running from a former student's sub, and trying not to piss off the Americans. Jack Ryan is fighting with his superiors and trying to keep what he thinks is an attacking nuclear submarine from vaporizing Washington D.C. and New York.

Alas, the drama is often created with movie conceits, but they are not so bad that they cannot be overlooked or ignored unless you are looking for fault.

The key to Hunt for Red October's success is it's gradual conversion of all question marks to exclamation points. We begin with: "How will Captain Ramius deal with the political officer?" which resolves into "By killing him!" "What are the unidentified doors in the new Soviet submarine?" becomes "A silent drive that would allow the Russians to sneak up to the American shore and launch nuclear missiles!" This pattern continues throughout the movie, but both the questions and the exclamation points get bigger.

The movie makes good use of its multiple simultaneous storylines to jump through time, only stopping at the most important and exciting moments of each storyline.

The audience is kept abreast of the situation and danger through briefings and offhand comments by the characters. While this might seem too expository, the truth is that audiences in general are not always smart enough to keep up with such a complex story without a little help. And, the audience is watching the movie to be entertained, not to think.

The only break in the suspense really comes in a touching, quiet moment between Ramius and one of his officers, who asks, "Do you think they will let me live in Montana?" Ramius says yes, and the officer continues: "Then I will live in Montana, and I will marry a round American woman, and I will raise rabbits, and she will cook them for me, and I will have a pickup truck." It's a beautiful little moment.

Then, they continue to discuss their dreams as both ships drift within dangerous proximity of each other unknowingly.

The climax arrives when the Red October, an American submarine, an American battleship, and another Soviet submarine converge on one location, none of them quite sure what is happening with the other three. Then, just as the problem is at its worst, the saboteur starts shooting and Ryan and Ramius have to hunt him down before he blows up the ship.

In the end, every question is answered and every conflict is resolved, leaving you with a very satisfied feeling: you've just seen a really good movie.