The Final Countdown (1980)

40% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(7,473 ratings)

The USS Nimitz, a modern-day nuclear-powered aircraft carrier captained by Kirk Douglas, passes through a time warp and finds itself at Pearl Harbor on December 6, 1941. Douglas is all for preventing the infamous Japanese attack by unleashing the 1980s technology at his disposal. But wait--if… More The USS Nimitz, a modern-day nuclear-powered aircraft carrier captained by Kirk Douglas, passes through a time warp and finds itself at Pearl Harbor on December 6, 1941. Douglas is all for preventing the infamous Japanese attack by unleashing the 1980s technology at his disposal. But wait--if history is inviolate, what will happen to future events if the attack doesn't come off? For nearly two hours, pros and cons are volleyed back and forth by Douglas, by ambitious senator Charles Durning, and by concerned observer Martin Sheen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Don Taylor
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Aug 1, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Mar 27, 2007
Studio: Live Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
As a documentary on the USS Nimitz, The Final Countdown is wonderful. As entertainment, however, it has the feeling of a telepic that strayed onto the big screen.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's filled with technology, special effects and action. But it just doesn't make any sense.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
The special effects are funnier than, I suspect, they were intended to be.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Little more than a lengthy Twilight Zone episode.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
One of the better time-travel movies. Generates lots of suspense because it's directed and acted with a great deal of conviction. John Scott's musical score is outstanding.
, Time Out
An idea worthy of Harlan Ellison, but disappointingly fumbled.
Rudy Joggerst, Reel.com
...manages to capture the imagination of the viewer with its fantastic story and respectable cast of Hollywood veterans.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
A solid movie with a lousy ending.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Great what if sci-fi with a nuclear aircraft carrier, a time warp, and the attack on Pearl Harbor.
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page
Something you'd watch on TV for free without complaint.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

not believable but fun
xGary X

Enjoyable time travel fantasy that dumps a modern day aircraft carrier in the path of the attacking japanese force on the eve of Pearl Harbor. Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen add weight to the cast, and although the idea isn't fully fleshed out, and the direction rather lacklustre… More
Enjoyable time travel fantasy that dumps a modern day aircraft carrier in the path of the attacking japanese force on the eve of Pearl Harbor. Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen add weight to the cast, and although the idea isn't fully fleshed out, and the direction rather lacklustre and "TV movie", it's still an entertaining diversion. Fans of TV series Quantum Leap will love it.
Barry L

Great film for its time...

Cast

            Kirk Douglas as Capt. Matthew Yelland

            Martin Sheen as Warren Lasky

            Katharine Ross as Laurel Scott

            James Farentino as Cmdr. Richard Owens

            Ron O'Neal as Cmdr. Dan Thurman

            Charles Durning as Senator Chapman

            Victor Mojica as Black Cloud

            James C. Lawrence as Lt. Perry

            Soon-Teck Oh as Simura

            Joe Lowry as Cmdr. Damon

            Alvin Ing as Kajima

            Mark Thomas as Cpl. Kullman

            Dan Fitzgerald as Navy Doctor

            Robert Goodman
            
            Gary Morgan
            
            Phil Philbin as Admiral

            Billy Dee Williams
            
            Bill Couch Jr.
            
            Orwin Harvey
            
            Lloyd Kaufman as Lt. Cmdr. Kaufman

            Richard Liberty
            
            Ted Richert
            
            Harold Bergman as Bellman

            Jack McDermott
            
            George Warren
            
            Victor Mohica
            
See full cast