What Commander Tupolev did in Red October was removing the magnetic detonators from the torpedos to make them hit at any distance, I think this cannot be done in a sub without dismounting and remounting all the warheads and would also be the hell dangerous I guess...
So yes, it's just Hollywood...
Also i remember that Tupolev was launching the torpedo by crashing the button with his fist instead of pushing it, this has been removed in the DVD version of the movie, why can't they leave good sequences without cutting...
