- Actors: Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino, Ron O'Neal
- Directors: Don Taylor
- Writers: David Ambrose, Gerry Davis, Peter Powell, Thomas Hunter
- Producers: Lloyd Kaufman, Peter Douglas, Richard R. St. Johns
- Format: PAL
- Language English, Japanese
- Region: All Regions
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 12
- Studio: Synergy
- DVD Release Date: 4 Feb 2002
- Run Time: 103 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005NX0N
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 37,325 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
With a tantalising "what-if?" scenario and a respectable cast of Hollywood veterans, The Final Countdown plays like a grand-scale episode of The Twilight Zone. It's really no more than that, and time-travel movies have grown far more sophisticated since this popular 1980 release, but there's still some life remaining in the movie's basic premise: what if a modern-era navy aircraft carrier--in this case the real-life nuclear-powered USS Nimitz--was caught in an anomalous storm and thrust 40 years backwards in time to the eve of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor? Will the ship's commander (Kirk Douglas) interfere with history? Will the visiting systems analyst (Martin Sheen) convince him not to? Will a rescued senator from 1941 (Charles Durning) play an unexpected role in the future of American politics?
Veteran TV director Don Taylor doesn't do much with the ideas posed by this potentially intriguing plot; he seems more interested in satisfying aviation buffs with loving footage of F-14 "Jolly Roger" fighter jets, made possible by the navy's generous cooperation. That makes The Final Countdown a better navy film than a fully fledged time-travel fantasy, but there's a nice little twist at the end, and the plot holes are easy to ignore. James Cameron would've done it better, but this popcorn thriller makes an enjoyable double bill with The Philadelphia Experiment. --Jeff Shannon
Special Features
English
Region 0
Scene Selection
Trailer
Region 0
Scene Selection
Trailer
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
UPDATE I've just purchased the Final Countdown on blu ray and the picture quality is excellent. Some of the indoor scenes are slightly out of focus round the edges. I don't think it's the blu ray's fault. It seems to highlight the depth of field. However the outside scenes are amazing! The clarity and colour are so much better than the DVD. Well worth it.
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.
UPDATE I've just purchased the Final Countdown on blu ray and the picture quality is excellent. Some of the indoor scenes are slightly out of focus round the edges. I don't think it's the blu ray's fault. It seems to highlight the depth of field. However the outside scenes are amazing! The clarity and colour are so much better than the DVD. Well worth it.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
What would have happened if an aircraft carrier of today (1980) went back in time to the Pearl Harbor of December 7, 1941? Kirk Douglas (along with a great cast of actors) finds out when a storm (unlike any he has ever seen) transports him back there.
Will this make a difference in history?
What would you do?
I originally saw this movie in the theater. It is really a long advertisement for the technology of the day (1980). However I still find my self watching this every time it comes on TV. It is time to buy the DVD (be aware that there is a wide range of DVD quality out there; best to pick the two disk limited edition) incase they stop showing it. I find my self kibitzing and wondering what would have happened if they stayed a little longer.
Now it is time for a sequel with stealth.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
What an outstanding concept for a movie. The idea of a modern day warship being transported back to another war time era of our history is mind boggling. The struggle of the USS Nimitz crew on whether to chance changing history as we know it, or deal with the immenent attack on Pearl Harbor is truly felt by the viewer. The charactor portrayed by Martin Sheen as a civilian, added that extra conflict for the captain to deal with. This movie was excellently made, and the plot rivoting, especially the major twist in the end. I recommend this movice for not only for the sci-fi enthusiast, but the war movie enthusiast as well.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER
I have loved this movie for many years , already had it on video and after Tony Farentino died last month was reminded about the film so decided to get it on DVD and still love it... Read more
Published 2 months ago by MUD
Final Countdown DVD
This film is classic '80's Americana! Simple idea of what if, though you know the outcome anyway, its great to see all the USN aircraft. Read more
Published 4 months ago by 2.8iman
Wonderful Improvement!.
Final Countdown [Blu-ray] [1980] [US Import]
Having Owned This Time Travel Classic On Video & On DVD I Was Delighted With The Transfer To Blu-Ray. Read more
Having Owned This Time Travel Classic On Video & On DVD I Was Delighted With The Transfer To Blu-Ray. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Honest Reviews
past and furious
I enjoyed the concept which appears to be the reverse situation of 'The Philadelphia Experiment' where two World War 2 sailors find themselves in the future. Read more
Published 8 months ago by lycidas
gift for my uncle
as it is a gift sent to a different address i can not really coment on it however i have not had any negative come back so it may be fabulous
Published 10 months ago by Daryl Smith
A great time travel film
Along with films like 'Back to the Future' and 'Planet of the Apes,' 'The Final Countdown' is also a great time travel movie (although it is somewhat less well known than these... Read more
Published 14 months ago by LXIX
Great movie but with the 80's video quality
80's video quality, can't be compared with today's Blue Ray discs, but I expected. It was great to watch this movie again. There should be a new version with toda's technology.
Published 15 months ago by Alejandro Galvez
Not how I remembered it
Saw this when it came out and loved the premise and the planes. Watching it now it plays like an advert to join the US Navy. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Stuart Wood
Mediocre
On paper this sounded fascinating - reminding me of The Philadelphia Experiment [DVD] [1984]. Unfortunately it felt very dry and boring from the start, and despite the above-par... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Captain Pugwash
The Final Countdown
Excellent film, which I have seen many times. Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen are perfectly suited for their roles in this film. The action is good and well orchestrated. Read more
Published 23 months ago by G. de Valk
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