William Fong

When I first saw this movie back in the 70s, I was riveted in my seat, breathless with every plot twist. I thought it was one of the greatest movies of all time. Richard Widmark as the captain was superb; Sidney Poitier really shone too. AND BY THE WAY, YOU WILL SEE A YOUNG DONALD SUTHERLAND IN THIS MOVIE. But I digress. It was 40 years later when I saw it again. And this time, it simply didn't have the previous impact -- it didn't hold up over the decades. Why? The answer came swiftly. The movie's tension came from the fact that the US and USSR were locked in the terrifying unbreakable embrace of the Cold War. Forty years later, with the Cold War won and over with, the movie simply didn't have the same power anymore. And I guess that's what makes for a classic movie. Such a flick doesn't depend on outside context for its power, and thus stands the test of time. That's why Casablanca is eternal and The Bedford Incident became largely forgotten. But -- I still highly recommend the movie for all the young'uns who didn't live through that period, so that they can get a flavor of those scary times. It's a powerful history lesson. And maybe the younger generations, being new to it, will enjoy it now as much as I did when I first saw it way back when. If I watch it again, it will be to admire its superb craft of movie making, which was excellent in all respects: story, acting, casting, directing, editing, pacing, photography -- the whole nine yards. And no spoilers -- this movie has a huge ending which will stun you bllfng.