The Final Countdown

Plot synopsis:
The USS Nimitz, one of the United States' largest aircraft carriers, is on maneuvers in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. The ship's captain, Yelland, oversees training flights of the ship's compliment of F14A Tomcat fighter jets. Also on the carrier is a reporter, Warren Lasky, who will be observing the Nimitz on its maneuvers.One of the ship's sonar crew notices a large and unusual storm approaching the Nimitz. When Yelland orders the ship's course to be changed, the storm follows. Yelland orders a red alert just before the storm overtakes them and swallows them. The Nimitz emerges from the storm unharmed and is able to land a stray F14 that went through as well. Yelland orders reports from all stations and the ship appears to be in perfect order. The radio operator of the boat receives strange broadcasts from Hawaii; they sound like classic radio from the pre-World War II era. Everyone is puzzled. A surveillance aircraft is sent up to take photos of Pearl Harbor. The ship's Wing Commander, Owens, who is also a World War II history expert, compares the shots to several from a book he has and he determines that they are nearly identical and that fleet in Pearl at the present moment was sunk by the Japanese Imperial Air Force nearly 40 years before.The ship's radar operator reports the presence of a small boat not far from the Nimitz. Yelland has two F14s launched to investigate. The nearby boat is a yacht, the personal boat of a popular United States Senator, Samuel Chapman and his personal assistant, Laurel Scott, whom are enjoying a day in the sun. They spot the two F14s as they speed over the boat, unable to comprehend the speed of the jets. The F14s are sent out to investigate another pair of radar contacts. When they arrive at the location, one pilot excitedly reports that the two contacts are World War II era Japanese "Zero" planes.A few minutes later, the Zeros fly over Chapman's boat. The Zeros suddenly execute sharp turns and open fire on the boat. Chapman, Scott and the yacht's other crewman all abandon ship, which explodes when the Zeros make another pass and again open fire. The pilots also strafe the survivors in the water, killing the crew member. The F14 pilots witness the attack but are under orders not to engage the Zeros. Yelland's XO has the F14 pilots make a supersonic run over the Zeros in an attempt to frighten them off. The Zeros open fire on the Tomcats; the American pilots are given permission to open fire and easily down both Zeros. A helicopter is dispatched from the Nimitz to pick up Chapman, Scott and one of the Zero pilots.Back on board the Nimitz the three survivors are sequestered belowdecks. Chapman, angry at being held against his will, is identified by Commander Owens. Owens determines that the storm that swallowed the Nimitz hours before has displaced the carrier in time and deposited them in the Pacific Ocean on December 6, 1941, one day before the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.Owens also shares the story of Chapman himself; just prior to the Japanese attack, Chapman and Scott were both declared lost at sea under unsolved circumstances. Chapman himself was considered to be a strong contender to beat Franklin Roosevelt for the presidency of the United States. By interfering with the attack on Chapman's yacht, the presence of the Nimitz has altered history and Chapman's survival may severely disrupt the space-time continuum. Yelland is, of course, opposed to simply executing the Senator and orders him held until they can figure out how best to deal with the disruption they've started.Another, larger question arises: should the Nimitz, presumably unable to return to it's own time, and with it's superior armaments and aircraft, engage the Japanese fleet and air force and prevent the attack on Pearl Harbor? Yelland believes so and Owens and Lasky immediately object to Yelland's idea, stating that this type of interference in history could have very serious consequences, the most serious being that they could stop much of the Pacific fleet from being destroyed. Yelland grapples with the idea himself and determines that the Nimitz, bound by its loyalty to engage all enemies no matter the place or time, will participate in the battle.Meanwhile, the Japanese prisoner converses with a Japanese-speaking member of the Nimitz' crew and demands access to a radio to contact his own superiors. At one point, Chapman's Golden Retriever escapes from the room where his master is being held and runs into the room holding the Japanese pilot. The pilot is able to disarm a marine guard and seize his rifle, opening fire and killing a few crew members. He reiterates his demands through the translator and holds several people hostage, including Owens and Lasky. Owens is ordered by Yelland to tell the pilot that they are from the future, citing his knowledge of the names of the ships of the Japanese Imperial fleet nearby. The pilot is temporarily overwhelmed by the news and is distracted long enough for marines to move in and kill him.Yelland's intention of stopping the destruction of the American fleet at Pearl remains unchanged. As a safety precaution and the method best determined to restore the space-time continuum to normality, Chapman and Scott will be left on a nearby deserted island while the attack takes place. A helicopter takes them out, with Owens, to the island. Scott and Owens both jump out onto the sand, however Chapman seizes a flare pistol and demands to be flown back to Hawaii. A crew member tries to take the pistol, which goes off, causing the chopper to explode, killing Chapman and the crew. Owens and Scott are stranded.Back on the Nimitz, Yelland addresses his crew, telling them that they will engage the Japanese Air Force as they attack Pearl Harbor. However, before the Nimitz' strike force can be launched, the same sort of storm that propelled the Nimitz through time appears again. The ship is consumed again and delivered to the same spot and the same date and time where it was initially displaced. The Nimitz returns to Pearl Harbor and Lasky is met at the pier. The door of a nearby limousine opens and Senator Chapman's dog, still on the Nimitz when it was sent back into the future, jumps inside. Lasky gets in the limo and sees both Laurel Scott and Commander Owens, both aged nearly 40 years. Lasky is told by one of them that they "have a lot to talk about."

Tags: cult, alternate reality, violence

Review:
This was a highly entertaining sleeper about a naval ship that happens to go through a time warp and end up at Pearl Harbor just hours before the attack in 1941.
Same with (blush) "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure": the movie's stupid, but it just always entertains me!Similarly, nobody is going to compare "The Final Countdown" to "2001: A Space Odyssey" as far as absolute quality, but "The Final Countdown" is a classic example of an unabashed "guilty pleasure" movie.The story is intriguing--what would YOU do if you were commanding a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier full of supersonic jets, etc, when you were transferred through a time-warp (ref: a CHEESY looking laser and smoke effect storm!) to December 6, 1941??
Kirk Douglas, as the ship's captain, looks like he's having a ball acting in this, and Martin Sheen does a great job as the "civilian consultant," Mr. Laskey.No, this movie isn't an Oscar-winner, nor did it really deserve to be.
But with American fighter jets dogfighting 1941 Japanese Zeros, I was FAR more entertained watching "The Final Countdown" for the 10th time!.
One of the candid themes of the movie is the tragedy of such fine people going to war against each other, whatever their race.The film is undeniably top drawer, far more mature than than "Top Gun," with even better flying scenes.
And few movies have gotten more assistance than the producer, director and cast of "The Final Countdown," now available on DVD,a sci-fi recruiting spectacular that features - on loan at taxpayer expense - the huge carrier U.S.S. Nimitz complete with crew.
A mysterious and never explained weather phenomenon grips the mighty floating air base and to the unfolding amazement of captain, officers and crew dawns the realization that the Nimitz in sailing not that far from Pearl Harbor on 6 December 1941.Meanwhile a U.S. senator, played by one of Hollywood's deservedly decorated war heroes, Charles Durning, is enjoying his yacht, also near Pearl, while dictating to his lovely secretary, Katharine Ross.
To be sure, both movies relied to some extent on stock footage of naval-aviation ops, but as with /Top Gun/, this film's flying was spectacular -- and, in the last of the years before CGI took hold, REAL.
It has some of everything: Bermuda-triangle-like mystery but in the Pacific, time travel exceptionally portrayed, historical intrigue (what IF we change things?), war action, romance, a great dog, great acting, great leadership, great flying, great story telling, and great visual effects!
Then they find in the past world of 1941 and they can change the course of history but also to generate a cataclysm that threatens to destroy it.This is a far-fetching but acceptable story about an U.S nuclear-powered aircraft carrier traveling forward in time to just to discover famous incidents and change the world.
And the best of its kind in my opinion.So other recommendations should rather be sci-fi movies of the same kind, and not just war movies.The great thing about this one in the genre of time travel, is that its made in a so epic and serious way.
The story begins with a freak storm transporting a modern American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier back to 1941, just before the Japanese fleet bombed Pearl Harbour.
But I remember being so upset when I looked at the clock and realized there was only 15 minutes left, and therefore there was no way the movie could possibly contain a full satisfying epic dogfight battle over Pearl Harbor while still returning the characters to their rightful places in time for a happy ending and final credits.
(FWIW, "Lost" used the same idea - with no more explanation than this movie - to equally fine effect.) But it's a fun yarn, good to see Kirk Douglas still fit as a fiddle, and an enjoyable opportunity to revisit some of the great questions about the attack on Pearl Harbor: could it have been prevented?
The real highlight though was the lack of CGI, this means we get to see a wide range of real US Navy aircraft.The plot about the USS Nimitz, a modern nuclear powered US aircraft carrier, going through a strange storm which leaves it back in 1941 on the eve of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.
The captain and senior officers must decide whether they should intervene and change history or stay out of the fight and leave history to take its course.The action is pretty exciting and seeing all of those Navy jets would have been enough to get anybody who likes military aircraft watching.
In addition to its being entertaining, enjoyed seeing Kirk Douglas, who although in his mid-60's, still looked vigorous and hale.The USS Nimitz is a nuclear aircraft carrier, sailing in the Pacific, on a routine assignment contemporary to the making of this film, in 1980.
Anyone who has ever heard the word "foreshadow," knows that this scene will have some effect by the film's end, that Mr. Tideman's not being shown on-screen at this point is significant, and that the fact Sheen has not ever seen his boss face-to-face also portends something significant later, and is likely essential to the development of the plot.
The Senator, an important, informed senior politico expert on all matters military, is obviously nonplussed by the jet aircraft and all other aspects of the carrier and everything else, beyond the contemporary hardware with which he is familiar.The crux of all these "time travel" stories, whether an inexpensive 22 minutes within a half-hour TV presentation, or an expensive, A-list big-screen offering like this one, presents the same dilemma -- whether to use the ability now at-hand to stifle some occurrence and save lives, etc., but alter the future in so doing?
All the while Kirk has to be the one to decide on the basic question regarding the impending Japanese squadrons, and the viewer knows that at some point the ship probably will return to present (at filming) time.
He's the captain of the U.S.S Nimitz, finest nuclear powered aircraft carrier in the fleet and on this cruise they've got a VIP aboard, Martin Sheen who works for a mysterious Howard Hughes hermit like defense contractor named Tideman.
Oh. and they also rescue the pilot of one of the Japanese zeroes that sunk the cabin cruiser, Soon Teck Oh.The Final Countdown is a good science fiction film that raises some interesting conundrum like questions.
End was pretty weak - but who cares.Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Charles Durning, Katherine Ross and James Farentino are all accomplished performers.It's a movie - get over it!
Will these actions create a time paradox?Today I have seen "The Final Countdown" maybe for the fifth or sixth time, and it is impressive how this good film has not aged after more than thirty years.
I know, it is not considered to be a big hit, but it had just about everything that I like in a movie; time travel, war and a big "what if".
I won't go into the plot in any detail or why the movie's title makes absolutely no sense; suffice it to say that some sort of time storm plunks a modern aircraft carrier off the coast of Oahu the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Kirk Douglas looks to be having a blast, as well as Martin Sheen (yech), James Farentino, Charles Durning, and Katherine Ross (Gawd, it's good to be straight!) Seriously, I have only one complaint; a logic flaw so great I wonder why the screenwriter(s) let it by: Why, oh why did the Nimitz launch a strike against the Japanese using fighter aircraft and bombers .
Many people who saw this back in 1980 came away disliking it since the trailers and TV commercials made it look like a modern aircraft carrier took on the Japanese navy.
There is in fact only one real  action sequence that brought cheers to the theater I saw this in when a certain line of dialog was spoken.Assuming that you're seeing this because you want a good dram of the science fiction variety I heartily recommend you watch this film.
I'd like to explain but it would reveal too much.This is a popcorn movie of the highest order, so if you're smart you'll go get some and watch this good little film..
The implausible plot finds a modern nuclear aircraft carrier myseriously (and conveniently) transported in time to December 6, 1941 just a short hop from Pearl Harbor.
This turn of events sets the stage for the real point of the movie; many scenes of carrier flight operations featuring a "triumphant" musical score any time a piece of military hardware is on the screen.
If your looking for serious exploration of the paradoxes of time travel or the geopolitical consequences if Pearl Harbor turned out differently, then pass on this movie.
The build up is great, however as the movie comes to a close and the viewer realizes the final outcome, one cannot help but feel cheated.The paradox at the end is good.
A modern nuclear powered aircraft carrier (with its air wing and arsenal) getting caught in an unexplained phenomenon (in effect, storm) sending it to the day before the Pearl Harbor attack made a wonderful platform.
To paraphrase TV Guide's view of the movie, it was a story reminiscent of "The Twilight Zone."Kirk Douglas played a convincing Navy Captain, Matt Yelland commanding the U.S.S. Nimitz and her arsenal that was capable of wiping out the Japanese fleet.
One can surmise that the Nimitz' travel back in time was a test for Captain Yelland and crew to see what they would do with the modern capabilities of the ship in regards to an historical attack they know is coming.
The Final Countdown takes what would have made for a very entertaining Twilight Zone episode and manages to turn it into a surprisingly effective full length feature, one that poses that old scientific dilemma: if you had the power to prevent a catastrophe in the past, would you do so, knowing full well that the future would be irrevocably altered in the process?Kirk Douglas, as aircraft carrier captain Matthew Yelland, is faced with precisely this decision after he and his crew travel through a time portal on their vessel, arriving on the eve of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour during WWII.
With modern planes and missiles at their disposal, should they intercept the enemy or let history take its course?With a superb cast (Charles Durning, Martin Sheen, James Farentino, Katherine Ross), an intelligent script, and a real aircraft carrier and its jets at his disposal, director Don Taylor delivers a thoroughly absorbing tale that offers both exciting action (the flying scenes are wonderful—who needs CGI when you have the real deal?) and intense drama.While those expecting an action packed battle between modern jets and Japanese fighter planes will undoubtedly feel a little cheated by the film's less than spectacular denouement, which solves Yelland's awkward problem with the introduction of a second very timely time portal, the fun twist ending should leave most viewers with a big grin on their face..
This movie had me hooked as a kid, and growing up, I've come to appreciate the nod to historical events, the aircraft on display like a time capsule, and the sci-fi plot that presents a host of interesting questions for the viewer.
Or let history take its course?That dilemma faces the men aboard the aircraft carrier The U.S.S. Nimitz, which somehow or other is sent back in time - with a fair amount of razzle-dazzle special effects - to just before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Involved in the mounting drama are the crafts' captain (Kirk Douglas), a civilian observer (Martin Sheen), assorted personnel (including Ron O'Neal and James Farentino), and a senator (Charles Durning), whose rescue might set in motion a different chain of events.The cast, writers, and crew were clearly having a great time with this fanciful premise.
What if a modern day naval carrier found itself(through a mysterious time-portal on the sea) back on that fateful day of Dec. 7, 1941, when Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor, killing scores of soldiers and civilians, and plunging the U.S.A. into World War II?
Kirk Douglas is the captain of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier who gets caught in a time warp and sent back to the day before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.
this is one of the best time travel movies i have seen.it's vaguely similar to the Philadelphia Experiment but on a much larger scale.i also think it's a much better movie.for one thing,there's way more tension and suspense and you really can sense the fear and desperation of the ship's crew.this one will have you on the edge of your seat.the acting here is very strong all around.there's no weak link in the bunch.there no slow spots either.the movie flows at a nice steady pace,and keeps you interested right to the end.i'd highly recommend it as a rental at the very least.i purchased a copy which was more than worth it.for me,The Final Countdown is a 9/10.
Other comments have made my main point: this movie takes a fascinating concept with innumerable possibilities and then fails to make much of them.Great science fiction usually makes one assumption - it might be time travel, or "slow glass" or human miniaturisation - and builds a logical world around it.
In "The final countdown", the base assumption is that a nuclear aircraft carrier is somehow transported back in time to just before Pearl Harbour.
I own the DVD, have watched it several times, and it's always entertaining.The acting is well done, the flying sequences are fantastic, it's a realistic view of operations on an aircraft carrier, even it it is a little dated by today's standards..
A modern day aircraft carrier, on maneuver off Pearl Harbor, gets time-warped to the same locale, December 6, 1941.
"The Final Countdown" has a very interesting concept: take a modern day aircraft carrier, in the case, THE USS NIMITZ, and time warp it back to the eve of the impending Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Time travel, and its supposed existence, has also been a fascinating subject for movies, and this film plays that angle to the hilt.Kirk Douglas portrays Captain Yelland, the modern skipper of the aircraft carrier NIMITZ.
I love time travel movies and The Final Countdown (Or "U.S.S Nimitz, Forsvundet i Stillehavet" as it's called in Denmark) is no exception.
What if the worlds' largest aircraft carrier, armed to the teeth, went through a time warp and found itself back in time, just before the attack on Pearl Harbor during the Second World war.Kirk Douglas' character faces a hard enough decision after having to come to terms that he, his crew AND vessel have traveled back in time...to intervene and alter history, or let time remain unchanged?Not one to be watched by those who a plot that is water tight, it's meant to be viewed as a great fantasy film, not a true to life documentary that's made to give you a philosophical awakening.
I like time travel movies in general and The Final Countdown in particular.
The premise of the film hurls a modren nuclear powered aircraft carrier back in time to one day before Pearl Harbor.
If you like "Time travel movies", this film is essential..
Good cast with an interesting plot involving time travel into the mist of the Second World War. I think you really need to take into mind that this film was made in 1980, so some of the special effects do look very dated.
For fans of time travel, world war II or naval aviation this is a great movie.
Not only does this movie have some big name stars (Kirk Douglas, Katherine Ross, James Farentino, and Martin Sheen), but it is a good blend of science fiction and drama/action.
Now that it is out on DVD, it is a must-own for any movie collector.A US Aircraft Carrier (USS NIMITZ) gets sucked back in time to (you guessed it) Dec. 7, 1941.
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN went through many script changes and edits yet through this process the producers managed to make a movie which was good but not everything film audiences thought it could have been.
I think I saw it on video years after it was released in the theatre but I was impressed by the good story and the interesting time travel aspect of present day going back to WW2.
Kirk Douglas (another indication that the movie has class) plays the captain of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, circa 1980.
This movie has a neat basic premise; a modern, nuclear powered aircraft carrier gets thrown back in time to 1941, just before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The carrier USS Nimitz, with all her nuclear might, gets transported back in time to 1941, just before the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor.
Meanwhile, we do see F-14s engaging some Zeroes, and some taut, well acted scenes by Charles Durning, James Farentino, Martin Sheen, and one of my favorite character actors as the Japanese pilot, Soon Teck-Oh. The climax, and all the time paradoxes are wrapped up nicely, maybe a little too tidy, but overall it's fun to watch..
The Final Countdown has one of the most original stories ever in a movie: imagine if you suddenly went back in time right before the japanese were about to attack Pearl Harbor.
In so many ways this is really little more than a pretty standard time travel movie that contains all the dilemmas such a movie usually contains: basically, how much can you change history without, well, changing history - or even, can you actually change history?Most of the action is set on board the USS Nimitz, a modern (1980) US aircraft carrier that encounters a mysterious "storm" in the Pacific and is somehow transported by the storm back in time - quite conveniently for the sake of the story to December 6, 1941, the day before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.