Production Year: 1989 - Drama - Director: James Cameron - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Ed Harris, Michael Biehn, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Todd Graff, Leo Burmester, Chris Elliott more
After a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks in a remote part of the ocean floor, a team of divers on a prototype underwater oil rig are pressed into service by the U.S. Navy in a... more
The Abyss [1989] [DVD]
Meticulously crafted but also ponderous and predictable, James Cameron's 1989 deep-sea ... more
close-encounter epic reaffirms one of the oldest first principles of cinema: everything moves a lot more slowly underwater. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio...
The Abyss [1989] [DVD]
Meticulously crafted but also ponderous and predictable, James Cameron's 1989 deep-sea ... more
close-encounter epic reaffirms one of the oldest first principles of cinema: everything moves a lot more slowly underwater. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio...
civilian oil-rig crew is recruited to conduct a search-and-rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver (Ed Harris) soon finds himself on a spe...
The Abyss
In this thrilling, underwater action adventure from writer-director James Cameron ... more
(Titanic; Terminator 2: Judgment Day; Aliens), a civilian oil rig crew is recruited to conduct a search-and-rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver (ED HARRIS) soon finds himself on a spectacular odyssey 25,000 feel below the ocean's surface, where he confronts a mysterious force that has the power to change the world or destroy it.
The Abyss [DVD] [1989]
Meticulously crafted but also ponderous and predictable, James Cameron's 1989 deep-sea ... more
close-encounter epic reaffirms one of the oldest first principles of cinema: everything moves a lot more slowly underwater. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, as formerly married petroleum engineers who still have some "issues" to work out, are drafted to assist a gung-ho Navy SEAL (Michael Biehn) with a top- secret recovery operation: a nuclear sub has been ambushed and sunk, under mysterious circumstances, in some of the deepest waters on earth, and the petro-techies have the only submersible craft capable of diving down that far. Every image and every performance is painstakingly sharp and detailed (and the computerised water creatures are lovely) but the movie's lumbering pace is ultimately lethal. It's the audience that ends up feeling waterlogged. For a guy who likes guns as much as Cameron (his next film after all, was the body-count masterpieceTerminator 2: Judgment Day), it's interesting that the moral balance here is weighted heavily in favour of the can-do engineers; the military types are end-justifies-the-means amoralists, just like the weasely government bureaucrats inAliens.--David Chute
Production Year: 1945 - Drama - Director: David Lean - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey, Cyril Raymond
Production Year: 1981 - Drama - Director: Franco Zeffirelli - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray, Richard Kiley, Penelope Milford, Beatrice Straight
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
A review by Sarah_Louise on The Abyss (DVD) November 12th, 2002
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Outstanding
Characters / Performances
Good
Special Effects
Good
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
The aliens are friendly in this film !
Disadvantages:
The rat scene was unecessary .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Having recently watched “The Abyss” for the first time on TV the other day I thought I’d review it for all you fellow Internet addicts out there! Yes, that includes you. You know who you are!
Before I delve into my personal view of the film, here’s the boring bits:
-------------- ~ Starring ~ -------------- Ed Harris as Virgil ‘Bud’ Brigman Mary Mastrantonio as Lindsey Brigman Michael Biehn as Lieutenant Coffey Todd Graff as Alain ‘Hippy’ Cames
----------- ~ Crew ~ ----------- James Cameron – director Gale Anne Hurd – producer
-------------------- ~ Release date ~ -------------------- 8th September 1989
Basically “The Abyss” revolves around a group of civilian divers. A nuclear submarine is going about its daily business when something strange passes by, cutting out the electricity on the way and causing the submarine to crash into some rocks. The United States send in the divers to rescue any surviving crew members on the nuclear submarine.
This film is a bit like Alien, ok, so maybe its nothing like it. Basically what I meant to make clear is that it involves USO’s (in case you are wondering whether I made a typo, USO’s = Unidentified Swimming Objects!). Its vaguely like the Alien movies with a splash of X-Files. The only major difference is that practically the whole film is based under water (as you may expect as it involves submarines!).
Of course no film is a film without a bit of romance (or a lack of to make it more accurate for this film). You see Virgil ‘Bud’ Brigman and Lindsey Brigman are married (not happily mind you). They both have issues to sort out. They are both drafted in to help the Navy SEAL with this top-secret recovery mission.
As no film is complete without romance or an ex-romance, no film is complete without a psycho. Don’t fret. This film has one of those too. He starts to go round the bends from about half way through the movie, it builds to a climax but as you might expect, everything turns out ok in the end.
~ So, is the film worth watching? ~ Well, considering it was made in 1989 the graphics are great. I was highly surprised when I first noticed it was made in 1989. I didn’t realise until after the film it was so old and I never guessed once whilst watching it.
The film was actually made in a former nuclear plant which housed the biggest submerged movie set ever built. The film was directed and filmed from underwater practically all the way through. This leads to a really realistic feel to the film. With it being in the depths of the ocean you can expect this film to be pretty dull and dreary. Don’t less this put you off though because it isn’t all dull, there are some brighter scenes in the film too to brighten it up.
All in all I’d highly recommend the film, I don’t really have any major faults with the film.
So, to conclude:
------------------- ~ Good points ~ -------------------
§ Great graphics, especially when you consider it was made in 1989.
§ Due to the film being filmed and directed almost entirely underwater it really does give you an underwater feel, even slightly claustrophobic (so watch out those who suffer from claustrophobia!)
§ The actual scenes of the aliens involve pretty good computer graphics (again, remember it was 1989). They must be good because don’t forget I didn’t even realise the film was particularly old until after!
§ The aliens are nice and friendly in this film, its always nice to see friendly aliens!
§ The film doesn’t get too wrapped up in the romance side of things. I can’t stand films that seem to completely side-track the initial theme and delve into the love-lives of the characters too much.
----------------- ~ Bad points ~ -----------------
§ At first I thought the film was a bit of a slow starter. Do stick with it though it is worth it and after the first 20 minutes or so the film improves rapidly. Plus, if it wasn’t for the first 20 minutes you’d be a bit lost as far as the story line goes.
§ Part of the film involves breathing fluid in order to allow Virgil ‘Bud’ Brigman to dive very deep. This, in itself, makes for a very good scene but previous to this scene one of the crew’s pet rat is made to breath this fluid to prove it works. This rat was indeed immersed in this fluid and made to breath it for quite a few minutes. Don’t get me wrong, I know the rat came out alive. Think about it though. It must be a very strange and non-too pleasant experience being made to breath in fluid mustn’t it? This poor rat didn’t have a choice in the matter. It may seem petty to non-animal lovers but to me that was a completely unnecessary scene.If you decide you’d like your own copy of this you can buy from Amazon.co.uk. A VHS copy will set you back £13.49 while a DVD copy will set you back £23.74. That seems a bit steep to me but that’s what the site says!
---------------- ~ More info ~ ----------------
If you’re into reading scripts check out: http://www.ike.co.kr/abyss.txt
Other sites: http://www.hollywood.com/movies/detail/movie/177565
Advantages: Captivating,tense and well acted,ethereal almost. Disadvantages: none
The Abyss is another sci-fi classic from James Cameron who also directed the Terminator and Aliens.
Although never seen as a major blockbuster (for some unknown reason), the Abyss has much more going for it than many films of its ilk. It has a story; it is about ordinary people in an extraordinary situation; it has tension in both the plot and its characters and it's the humans who are the bad guys this time instead of the aliens.
A nuclear submarine ... ...Marines (they shouldn't really send the Marines anywhere as you know there is going to be trouble) and indeed there is.
Though not from where you might think.
The acting in The Abyss is pretty damn good from all concerned - Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn et al. Each character develops throughout, becoming more complex and more human, with emotions and fears. There is nothing superhuman about these people - they are all ordinary, ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...giving us Terminator (aliens from the future) and Aliens (aliens in space), in 1989 James Cameron decided to takes his theme to a new location and the setting for Abyss is entirely underwater. Its not a new idea, but out of all the attempts at this type of horror/sci-fi, this is undoubtedly the best. This time however the film is set in the totally recognisable world of the present day and comes complete with a moral message regarding humanity.
... ...of experts and oddballs under the leadership of Virgil "Bud" Brigman played by the excellent Ed Harris. News reaches them that a US submarine has been lost on the edge of an abyss and with a violent storm moving in they are the only place a successful rescue attempt can be launched from. After being joined by a team of navy SEALs and the rigs designer, who happens to be the estranged Mrs Brigman, the storm closes in cutting all contact with the surface. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Gripping, atmospheric, tight plot Disadvantages: Too long for some
In the same way that Alien felt like you were really in deep space The Abyss really feels like you're deep under the ocean. The claustrophobic atmosphere is one of the reasons why this film really holds the attention despite being over two and a half hours long. But being squeezed into a tin can isn't all there is to it, oh no. This film has a lot more going for it than that.
First of all let's place the film. At first it feels like it may be a ... ...sub resting on the edge of an oceanic abyss. Our heroes are unlikely deep sea miners. Before long they are joined by a crack SEAL team. Now we have conflict of interest.
Then there's the love interest. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (a name almost as long as the film) plays the designer of the deep sea rig who returns to oversee her baby being used as a rescue platform. Ed Harris is the team leader who happens to be the seperated husband of the aforementioned ...
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Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
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06.06.2001
Very Pretty Review ofThe Abyss (DVD)by
dvdindetail
Advantages: Great photography Disadvantages: Screenplay
The title describes it all. I will agree with people when they saay that the story is a little bit weak, especially the dramatic U-Turn in the 3rd Act of the script. But, The Abyss is essential viewing. The underwater cinematography features some of the most exrtavagant shots I've seen. There are beautiful wide-angles and shots of the actors when underwater look like they are floating. Really should be seen for this if anything. Should be seen anyway.
...
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Advantages: Great looking, Cameron's usual Disadvantages: Insulting Hollywood ending, no real claustrophobia
I am probably in the minority here but I really didn’t like this film. The look of the film is great, it is atmospheric and the psycho edge provided by Michael Biehn is outstanding but the film is lacking any of the claustrophobia and desperate battles for survival that have marked Cameron films such as Terminator, Aliens and Titanic. The beauty of the underwater environment is the feel of trapped with hostile creature / person and that is just not ...
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Advantages: A stunning film, two DVDs, lots of extra?s and an extended version Disadvantages: Can be slow at times
...How would you like to see a great film, which has a little bit of everything in it, with the choice of watching the original or extended version, with loads of extra?s on the DVD?, interested?, then perhaps you should take a look at The AbyssDVD.
~~The Abyss - The Film~~
The Abyss was made in 1989, it stars Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Michael Biehn. This Twentieth Century Fox film was written and directed by James Cameron, produced by Gale Anne Hurd, and rated 15, for the UK. Its 163 minutes in length - but that?s just one of the versions.
~~Plot~~
The film begins with a US submarine experiencing a loss of power and crashing. Due to a storm the only hope of rescuing survivors and checking the nuclear arms haven?t been damaged, are a bunch of oil rig workers on the first test underwater oil rig.
Everything is...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Excellent extended version. Can also play the original release. Disadvantages: 2nd disc was a bit bland
...Starring Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Michael Biehn (I had to look up both of those spellings!), this film was a hit for me when I saw the original theatrical edition many moons ago (According to the DVD case that was in 1989!) Occasionally I buy a DVD just to own and keep it, and this was one of them. I didn't even watch it until this weekend, thinking that it would be like most "Special Editions" much the same as the original. What a fool I was!
I don't understand how filmmakers can allow such excellent footage to be left on the cutting-room floor. This special edition is SPECIAL! The one DVD allows the playing of both versions (original or extended) simply by selecting the version from the main menu. Navigation of the second disc is Abyss-mal, so I'm excluding it from this opinion, as it is not a necessary part of the movie...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth aeiou, Jim Cameron directs, special effects Disadvantages: Gaps in story, maybe a tad lenghty
...The Abyss. This is a mid 1980's sci fi flick starring Ed Harris (Oscar nominated this year) and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio(the actress with the most vowels in her name)who play a couple heading to divorce but who are also both involved in the oil business.
Directed by James Cameron (I'm king of the world) and produced by the same team that did Terminator, this is a story about love, nuclear weapons and aliens at the bottom of the sea. So it's a bit like Brookside then!
The story centres on an underwater drilling rig peopled by the sort of characters who later featured in "Armageddon", i.e no hopers who bonded because they were misfits. This happy team led by Bud (Harris) are pulled off their drilling mission and sent in search of a nuclear sub which has mysteriously sunk after being "buzzed " by something.
On the way they pick...
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Plot: A team of civilian divers working on a prototype underwater oil-drilling rig are coerced by the US Navy into helping them look for a lost nuclear submarine. Whilst in deep water the Navy supervisor has paranoid ideas about what they've found in the Abyss.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; Deluxe Video Service - Fox
Release date: 05/07/2004
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: 01988 VDVD
Barcode: 5039036017671
Screenwriter: James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd
Creator: James Cameron
Cinematographer: Mikael Salomon
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Executive Producer: James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd
Director of Photography: James Cameron, Mikael Salomon
After a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks in a remote part of the ocean floor, a team of divers on a prototype underwater oil rig are pressed into service by the U.S. Navy in a rescue attempt. When a hurricane cuts off contact between the surface and the underwater depths, the crew begin to see evidence of a strange, possibly alien intelligence at work. While chief Bud Brigman (Ed Harris) bickers with his ex-wife and boss (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), the Navy commander begins to grow increasingly paranoid about the mysterious alien life and threatens to use a recovered nuclear weapon to destroy everything. James Cameron's undersea epic is a tale of sacrifice and hope in an amazing alien landscape that covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Featuring landmark visual effects but plagued by production difficulties, the cast and crew were stretched to the breaking point and THE ABYSS became one of the most expensive films ever made in its time, but the final result is a remarkable blend of action and human drama. Scenes cut from the theatrical version, including a number of special effects sequences involving huge tidal waves threatening the cities of the world, are restored in the Special Edition versions.
Languages
Main Language: English
Professional reviews
Review: "...Cameron again delves in....An epic story line...and much more..." -- Rating: B (Entertainment Weekly, pp.66-8, 13/01/1995)
"...[A] stupendously exciting and emotionally engulfing film....With probing intelligence and passionate feeling, Cameron has raised the adventure film very close to the level of art..." (Rolling Stone, p.37, 24/08/1989)
"...A technical marvel with sustained tension, exciting action footage and an emotional wallop in its nearly platonic love story..." (Variety, 01/03/1993)
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