Down Periscope (1996)

13% of critics liked it
(31 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(38,966 ratings)

Vulgar, slapstick comedy abounds in this feature film debut for television sitcom star Kelsey Grammer. Almost everyone else thinks of Lieutenant Commander Tom Dodge is a class "A" goof who messes up every task he is assigned, but Adm. Dean Winslow thinks otherwise and decides to give Dodge one last… More Vulgar, slapstick comedy abounds in this feature film debut for television sitcom star Kelsey Grammer. Almost everyone else thinks of Lieutenant Commander Tom Dodge is a class "A" goof who messes up every task he is assigned, but Adm. Dean Winslow thinks otherwise and decides to give Dodge one last chance by assigning him to helm an outmoded, diesel powered, rusty in a series of wargames. Dodge's sub is to be the enemy and must somehow outsmart their high tech opponents. Though ostensibly only games, Admiral Yancy Graham, who considers Dodge an embarrassment to the Navy, decides to do everything he can to scuttle Dodge and his ragtag crew's mission. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: David S. Ward
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 1, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Feb 3, 2004
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady, Variety
It's good-natured, innocuous frivolity that should raise a few smiles and generate good but not great spring box office.
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
A soggy sub sandwich layered with cheesy action, stale jokes and gung-ho baloney.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
The tone of the acting, which is set by Mr. Grammer's blandly laid-back performance, is all wrong for a genre that demands over-the-top hamming.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
More laid-back here than he is on television, Grammer seems to barely break a sweat.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
After that auspicious opening, it sinks.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
There are occasional laughs, but, as with most movies that think they're funnier than they actually are, most of the jokes fall flat.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Exactly what you'd expect.
Bob McCabe, Empire Magazine
Kelsey Grammar's transition to the big screen is far from seamless.
, Time Out
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.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Routine.
Fred Topel, About.com
Mediocre comedy. Like a SNL film but with Frasier instead.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Rather lame.
Frank Ochieng, Movie Eye
A directionless and doomed diversion. Grammer's naval military mishap is a sinking ship both literally and figuratively
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
"Police Academy" underwater. (If only...)
Susan Lambert, Boxoffice Magazine
It's embarrassing to see Lauren Holly wasting her time as the butt-of-all-the-obvious-jokes female aboard ship.
Leslie Rigoulot, Film Scouts
It is a pretty decent plot that gives everyone a chance to be silly.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Down Periscope for me, at least is a harmless comedy. Down Periscope is one of those films that you either love or hate. People seem to hate it because it's "boring", "predictable" and that the jokes fall flat on their faces. I don't believe that. Sure… More
Down Periscope for me, at least is a harmless comedy. Down Periscope is one of those films that you either love or hate. People seem to hate it because it's "boring", "predictable" and that the jokes fall flat on their faces. I don't believe that. Sure there is definite room for improvement, but Down Periscope has many funny parts to it. Which I won't reveal, because I don't want to spoil the film for you. Kelsey Grammer plays Commander Tom Dodge who has just been assigned a commission to command a diesel powered sub. He also has been assigned with a crew of misfits. With that, Dodge is ordered to participate in a war game against the U.S Nuclear Navy. The premise of the film is simple, but it's lots of fun if you're in the right state of mind to watch this type of film. The film does provide a few good laugh out loud moments as you watch the ineptitude of the crew unfold. Though not perfect, Down Periscope is a good little comedy ton watch with friends over a few beers. Also this one of the few films where Rob Schneider is actually very funny, his performance in this film makes the film better than you might think. Kelsey Grammer gives a good comical performance as well. Down Periscope may not win any prizes, but it's a harmless fun comedy that has plenty of laughs. Give it a chance, it's better than what most people have claimed it to be. If you're in the mood for a silly comedy, the Down Periscope is the comedy for you.
Wahida K

A rusty sub. A rebel commander. A renegade crew. When destiny called, they should have hung up. Inthebakset
Dean M

This screwball comedy movie is practically Police Academy at sea. The humor is a little sleazy at times but the language wasn't too bad. Kelsey Grammar plays a likable role in the Navy comedy. Most of his crew are somewhat stupid characters but I did like the… More
This screwball comedy movie is practically Police Academy at sea. The humor is a little sleazy at times but the language wasn't too bad. Kelsey Grammar plays a likable role in the Navy comedy. Most of his crew are somewhat stupid characters but I did like the sonar man with the great hearing. Lauren Holy was okay as the sexy female interest but Rob Schneider was just plain annoying and tended to overact. He's either very funny or very stupid in his films. Bruce Dern, as always, was an effective "bad guy".
Curtis L

eh
xGary X

Kelsey Grammar trades in the sophisticated wit of Frasier and slums it in this lame submarine comedy that's basically Police Academy under the sea. One of those films I couldn't helping thinking "why on earth did anyone even bother to make the effort to make this… More
Kelsey Grammar trades in the sophisticated wit of Frasier and slums it in this lame submarine comedy that's basically Police Academy under the sea. One of those films I couldn't helping thinking "why on earth did anyone even bother to make the effort to make this film...?" Not offensive, but unbelievably pointless.
Naughtia N

This is one of my favorite comedy movie of all time. Tom Dodge (Grammer) is assigned to be the Captain of an old diesel driven submarine with a hopeless and very weird crew. He has to prove that he can handle a missop in this situation even though it seems hopeless, but the weirdness… More
This is one of my favorite comedy movie of all time. Tom Dodge (Grammer) is assigned to be the Captain of an old diesel driven submarine with a hopeless and very weird crew. He has to prove that he can handle a missop in this situation even though it seems hopeless, but the weirdness of the whole crew actually comes to an advantage. This movie is so entertaining and I laughed so much throoughout the whole movie. If you like goofy comedy this movie would definetely be one to watch.
Joseph E

Could have been funnier. but it was still hilarious.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Kelsey Grammer as Lt. Cmdr. Tom Dodge

            Lauren Holly as Lt. Emily Lake

            Bruce Dern as Adm. Yancy Graham

            Rob Schneider as Lt. Martin Pascal

            Rip Torn as Adm. Dean Winslow

            Harry Dean Stanton as Howard

            Kenneth Hudson Campbell as Buckman

            Elliot Easton as Secretary

            Dennis Fimple as Fisherman

            James Harper as Supportive Admiral

            Matt Landers as Orlando XO

            William H. Macy as Capt. Carl Knox

            Jordan Marder as Orlando Ensign

            Duane Martin as Jefferso Jackson

            Pierrino Mascarino as Trawler Captain

            Jonathan Penner as Stanley "Spots" Sylversters

            John Shepherd as Young Sailor

            Jamie James as Singing Sailor

            Jackson Sleet as Torpedo Man

            Toby Huss as Nitro

            Bradford Tatum as Engineman FC Brad Stepanak

            Ancel Cook as Fisherman

            James Martin Jr. as Orlando Radioman

            Joseph Latimore as Orlando Sonarman

            Harland Williams as Seaman 2nd Class E.T. "Sonar" Lovacelli

            Patton Oswalt as Stingray Radioman

            Annie Talbot as Singing Waitress

            Rudy Hornish as Admiral

            Michael William Connors as Orlando Young Sailor

            Eugene Daniel as Singing Sailor

            Mitch Danton as Conn Tower Officer

            Bob Dini as Singing Sailor

            Andrew English as Singing Sailor

            Steve Giralo as Singing Sailor

            Robert Grochau as Singing Sailor

            Joseph Keawkalaya as Singing Sailor

            Todd Odom as Singing Sailor

            Soto Joe Hugh as Helmsman

            Tommy Terrell as Admiral

            Paul Tranghese as Sailor 2
See full cast