What is the story difference between film & book versions of Hunt for Red October?

Onkel Neal · 12-16-18, 08:47 AM

It has been a million years since I read the book, I will have to dig out my copy and see, but I have seen the film 20 times or so. It is still the 2nd best submarine film of all time, in my opinion. Great actors, good effects, great story, outstanding execution.

Kapitan · 12-16-18, 10:24 AM

I think if you read the book first you come to the film with an open mind but as you have seen the film you will visualize the characters as they are in the film it will never be the shame again.

ShotMagnet · 01-02-19, 11:50 PM

The book has a lot more detail. The movie cuts most of the Soviet side of the hunt, which is too bad as some really fun stuff happens.

Shot

Lusik · 01-03-19, 09:18 AM

The book is more realistic probs because they had to cut corners for the sake of movie length.

Aktungbby · 01-03-19, 10:19 AM

Lusik!

A TRIFLE BELATEDLY.

Quote:

had to cut corners for the sake of movie length.

...OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'POETIC LICENSE'.

CUTTING, CROPPING, AND WEDGING A WHOLE STORY FROM LONG BOOKS INTO A MARKETABLE COHERANT THEATRE PRODUCT IS A FILM EDITOR'S TOUGH JOB.

l02turner · 03-05-19, 08:16 AM

I think it's pretty typical that any book is "better" than the movie, at least for me. IMO, reading a book lets the mind's imagination explore all the possibilities the writer tries to open up for the reader. A movie is more visual (obviously) but as other mentioned, much of the movie is left on the cutting room floor, often to keep a movie from lasting 6 or 7 hours!
BTW, if you want to read his best book IMO, check out "Red Storm Rising", his 1st novel. When I was reading it, I literally could not put it down. There is a RSR Pt 2 but I haven't read it. Also, since Clancy died there have been several novels published under his name, but the one's I've read have not been as good as Clancy's original works. But his name is huge in terms of marketing so I suspect we will continue to see additional novels, games, etc that are published using various Ghost Writers. Perhaps someone as gifted as Clancy will eventually rise to the surface? But it will be a hard act to follow. He had a natural talent for writing that was only exceeded by his ability to research all the pieces of military gear he weaved into his novels with such skill.
With virtually all of Clancy's novels available at places like ebay and other used books outlets, there is no excuse not to read his work. His original novels are also available at places like Salvation Army and other recycler's for less than $2 each meaning there's no excuse for being unable to find inexpensive copies of his books. I love playing SH4 (when I can get it to work) but IMO reading is much more satisfying.

Subnuts · 03-05-19, 11:21 AM

Everyone in the novel has a Scottish accent except for Ramius.

nikimcbee · 03-06-19, 12:04 AM

Wut? No love for the soundtrack?

ikalugin · 03-06-19, 02:38 AM

Both are bad.

12-16-18, 08:47 AM	#1
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,365 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	What is the story difference between film & book versions of Hunt for Red October? It has been a million years since I read the book, I will have to dig out my copy and see, but I have seen the film 20 times or so. It is still the 2nd best submarine film of all time, in my opinion. Great actors, good effects, great story, outstanding execution. __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

12-16-18, 10:24 AM	#2
Kapitan Sub Test Pilot Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK + Canada Posts: 7,113 Downloads: 71 Uploads: 7	I think if you read the book first you come to the film with an open mind but as you have seen the film you will visualize the characters as they are in the film it will never be the shame again. __________________ DONT FORGET if you like a post to nominate it by using the blue diamond Find out about Museum Ships here: https://www.museumships.us/ Flickr for all my pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/131313936@N03/ Navy general board articles: https://www.navygeneralboard.com/author/aegis/

01-02-19, 11:50 PM	#3
ShotMagnet Mate Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 53 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	The book has a lot more detail. The movie cuts most of the Soviet side of the hunt, which is too bad as some really fun stuff happens. Shot __________________ I'm the Galloping Ghost of the Japanese Coast You don't hear of me or my crew But just ask any man off the coast of Japan If he knows of the Trigger Maru -Constantine Guiness

03-05-19, 08:16 AM	#6
l02turner Soundman Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Va Posts: 143 Downloads: 167 Uploads: 0	Movie Vs Book - Red October I think it's pretty typical that any book is "better" than the movie, at least for me. IMO, reading a book lets the mind's imagination explore all the possibilities the writer tries to open up for the reader. A movie is more visual (obviously) but as other mentioned, much of the movie is left on the cutting room floor, often to keep a movie from lasting 6 or 7 hours! BTW, if you want to read his best book IMO, check out "Red Storm Rising", his 1st novel. When I was reading it, I literally could not put it down. There is a RSR Pt 2 but I haven't read it. Also, since Clancy died there have been several novels published under his name, but the one's I've read have not been as good as Clancy's original works. But his name is huge in terms of marketing so I suspect we will continue to see additional novels, games, etc that are published using various Ghost Writers. Perhaps someone as gifted as Clancy will eventually rise to the surface? But it will be a hard act to follow. He had a natural talent for writing that was only exceeded by his ability to research all the pieces of military gear he weaved into his novels with such skill. With virtually all of Clancy's novels available at places like ebay and other used books outlets, there is no excuse not to read his work. His original novels are also available at places like Salvation Army and other recycler's for less than $2 each meaning there's no excuse for being unable to find inexpensive copies of his books. I love playing SH4 (when I can get it to work) but IMO reading is much more satisfying.

03-05-19, 11:21 AM	#7
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	Everyone in the novel has a Scottish accent except for Ramius. __________________ My Amazon.com reviews

01-03-19, 09:18 AM	#4
Lusik Nub Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 4 Downloads: 57 Uploads: 0	The book is more realistic probs because they had to cut corners for the sake of movie length.

03-06-19, 12:04 AM	#8
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,927 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Wut? No love for the soundtrack? __________________

03-06-19, 02:38 AM	#9
ikalugin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 3,212 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Both are bad. __________________ Grumpy as always.