Down Periscope

Play trailer

Down Periscope

PG-13

1996

1h 32m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

11%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Cmdr. Tom Dodge is not thought of very highly among his fellow Navy officers. So when he's offered the captain's seat on a decrepit boat that is part of a simulated challenge on the water, no one expects much from him. Set on getting his underdog crew in line in order to win the event, Dodge must face off against his nemesis, Adm. Yancy Graham-- who will do anything to see Dodge disgraced and finally kicked out of the Navy.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Down Periscope takes audiences on an aimless voyage for aquatic hijinks, proving there really aren't any effective sub-stitutes for a well-written script.

Read Critics Reviews

Bob McCabe

Empire Magazine

08/04/2009

2/5

Kelsey Grammar's transition to the big screen is far from seamless.

Go to Full Review

Leonard Klady

Variety

11/21/2008

It's good-natured, innocuous frivolity that should raise a few smiles and generate good but not great spring box office.

Go to Full Review

Time Out

01/26/2006

he construction is so ramshackle (or the mood so PC) that the film-makers put a woman (Holly) on board, then can't find a thing to do with her.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

10/13/2021

2/4

...a sluggish comedy that slowly-but-surely squanders its raft of appealing, seemingly foolproof elements...

Go to Full Review

Sarah Cartland

Caution Spoilers

11/09/2018

2/5

Far from feminist, though I enjoyed seeing so many men doing the cleaning. There are fun moments and Kelsey Grammer as the hapless new sub captain is rather good if not hapless enough. Bruce Dern and Rip Torn spar enjoyably, but it lacks actual jokes.

Go to Full Review

Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

09/09/2014

2/5

Some innuendo, profanity in mediocre slapstick comedy.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Joey O

@RT37936128 Jul 4

Yeah, the critics are wrong. This movie is hilarious without being dumb.

See more

Mitch P

@RT99167099 May 23

First off, I don't know what on earth is wrong with the "critics" who truly don't seem to "get" this movie?! What's not to love about it? It's funny, light-hearted, good ol' entertainment! Great ensemble cast of actors and comedians giving great performances. It's a spoof film and a damned good one, too! Love the characters, LOVE the submarine, love the the storyline. Cinematography I also thought was great! I bought a copy of this movie and I have watched it so many times, yet it never fails to make me laugh! I think those critics who panned this film are in urgent need of a sense of humour transplant personally! Don't go by THEIR reviews, go by the audience reviews! We ALL love this film!

See more

Mathis M

@RT19692289 Apr 14

a very easy film to watch, and an absolute laughter, i loved it !

See more

Damian G

@RT59207826 Apr 12

Ignore the ridiculous critics score here and look at that audience score. This is one of the best comedies made in the last 30 years and one of the best submarine movies ever. Yes, it's not Hunt for Red October and its premise is unlikely - WW2 diesel submarine takes on modern navy - but it's an enjoyable 93 minutes and I laughed a lot.

See more

James H

@RT60526674 Apr 4

Funny on day 1, still just as funny 30 years later.

See more

Pete T.

@petetrenum Feb 16

Painful to watch. Very few funny moments

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

David S. Ward

Director

Kelsey Grammer

Lt. Cmdr. Thomas "Tom" Dodge

Lauren Holly

Lt. Emily Lake, Diving Officer

Bruce Dern

RAdm. Yancy Graham

Rob Schneider

Executive Officer Martin T. "Marty" Pascal

Rip Torn

Vice Adm. Dean Winslow

Hot Shots!

83%

65%

Hot Shots!

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hot Shots!

Bye Bye, Love

24%

50%

Bye Bye, Love

Watchlist

Hot Shots! Part Deux

59%

63%

Hot Shots! Part Deux

Watchlist

Nine Months

24%

37%

Nine Months

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Nine Months

Airheads

32%

50%

Airheads

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Cmdr. Tom Dodge is not thought of very highly among his fellow Navy officers. So when he's offered the captain's seat on a decrepit boat that is part of a simulated challenge on the water, no one expects much from him. Set on getting his underdog crew in line in order to win the event, Dodge must face off against his nemesis, Adm. Yancy Graham-- who will do anything to see Dodge disgraced and finally kicked out of the Navy.

Director: David S. Ward
Producer: Robert Lawrence
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.3M
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Surround