Down Periscope (1996): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Down Periscope is a 1996 comedy directed by David S. Ward, starring Kelsey Grammer as Lt. Commander Tom Dodge, Rip Torn and Bruce Dern. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $37.6 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- David S. Ward
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Down Periscope About?
The premise of Down Periscope without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Maverick Navy Lieutenant Commander Tom Dodge is a brilliant but unorthodox seaman who dreams of commanding a nuclear submarine. After a career‑smoothing mishap, Admiral Graham denies him a modern boat and assigns him to the dilapidated WWII diesel sub Stingray, crewed by quirky misfits. Dodge must turn the antiquated vessel into a winning team for a high‑stakes war game against the Navy’s best.
Down Periscope Themes & Keywords
· 36 tags- cook
- electrician
- sonar operator
- female naval officer
- chase
- pursuit
- woman wears a uniform
- 20th century fox
- naval uniform
- u.s. military
- fart joke
- flatulence
+24 more Show fewer
- navy dress uniform
- u.s. navy uniform
- submarine
- war game
- navy
- submarine crew
- submarine captain
- navy submarine
- reference to led zeppelin
- reference to ludwig van beethoven
- u boat
- torpedo
- sea
- redemption
- prank
- pirate
- pirate costume
- periscope
- mutiny
- mischief
- lieutenant commander
- admiral
- electric shock
- u.s. navy
Down Periscope Cast & Characters
Kelsey Grammer leads the cast as Lt. Commander Tom Dodge, with Rip Torn as Admiral Winslow and Bruce Dern as Rear Admiral Yancy Graham. Directed by David S. Ward; 45 actors are credited in all.
- Director David S. Ward
-
Kelsey Grammer as Lt. Commander Tom Dodge -
Rip Torn as Admiral Winslow -
Bruce Dern as Rear Admiral Yancy Graham -
Patton Oswalt as Stingray Radioman
Also Starring in Down Periscope
· 41 more- James Harper Supportive Admiral
- William H. Macy Captain Knox
- Michael Connors Orlando Young Sailor
- Jordan Marder Orlando Ensign
- James Martin Jr. Orlando Radioman
- Joseph Latimore Orlando Sonarman
- Rob Schneider Lt. Marty Pascal
- Toby Huss Seaman Nitro
- Harland Williams Seaman 2nd Class E.T. 'Sonar' Lovacelli
- Bradford Tatum Engineman 1st Class Brad Stepanak
- Jonathan Penner Seaman Stanley 'Spots' Sylvesterson
- Ken Hudson Campbell Seaman Buckman
- Lauren Holly Lt. Emily Lake
- Harry Dean Stanton Lt. Howard
- Dennis Fimple Fisherman
- Duane Martin Planesman 1st Class Jefferson 'R.J.' Jackson
Show all 45 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Pierrino Mascarino Trawler Captain
- John Shepherd Young Sailor
- Matt Landers Orlando XO
- Ancel Cook Fisherman
- Felipe Rose Village People Indian (uncredited)
- Elliot Easton Secretary
- Paul Tranghese Sailor #2
- Eric Anzalone Village People Biker (uncredited)
- Theodore Carl Soderberg Sailor (uncredited)
- Jamie James Singing Sailor
- Rudy Hornish Admiral #2
- Mitchell Danton Conn Tower Officer
- Andrew Christian English Singing Sailor
- Joe Soto Helmsman
- Tommy Terrell Admiral #3
- Jackson Sleet Torpedo Man
- Annie Talbot Singing Waitress
- Eugene Daniel Singing Sailor
- Bob Dini Singing Sailor
- Steve Giralo Singing Sailor
- Robert Grochau Singing Sailor
- Joseph Keawkalaya Singing Sailor
- Todd Odom Singing Sailor
- Bruce Holman Selection Board Officer (uncredited)
- Gabrielle Wagner Sailor's Wife (uncredited)
More from David S. Ward
More films directed by David S. Ward, best-rated first: Major League, Cannery Row, The Program and Major League II.
Down Periscope Plot Summary
What happens in Down Periscope from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lieutenant Commander Thomas Dodge, Kelsey Grammer, serves as the executive officer of the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Orlando, under its commanding officer Captain Knox. He is up for a third chance at earning a captain’s stripe, but his past behavior—an infamous “brushing” incident with a Russian missile submarine near Murmansk and a boozy, tattooed reminder reading “Welcome Aboard”—has kept him from full promotion. If he’s passed over again, he could be dismissed from the Navy’s submarine command program.
Full summary
The whole story of Down Periscope, scene by scene
Down Periscope Box Office
Down Periscope grossed $37.6 million worldwide. $25.8 million came from the US and Canada and $11.8 million (31%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$37.6M
- US & Canada
- $25.8M
- International
- $11.8M
Down Periscope Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Down Periscope.
How Well Do You Know Down Periscope?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Lieutenant Commander Thomas Dodge?
Cars in Down Periscope
5 cars on screen, including the 1992 Ford Tempo and the 1956 Ford Thunderbird.
-
1992 Ford Tempo Minor role -
1956 Ford Thunderbird Minor role -
1992 Mercury Grand Marquis Minor role -
Harley-Davidson Sportster Background role
Down Periscope Also Known As
33 alternative titles, including “Abajo el periscopio” and “Giù le mani dal periscopio”.
- Also known as
-
- Abajo el periscopio
- Giù le mani dal periscopio
- Touche Pas à Mon Périscope
- 潜艇总动员
- 潜龙车天
- 放下潜望镜
- Periskop nahoru a dolů
- Mission: Rohr frei!
- Giù le mani dal mio periscopio
- Убрать перископ
- Y a-t-il un commandant pour sauver la Navy ?
- Titta, vi dyker!
+21 more Show fewer
- Periskop nahoru a dolů!
- Não Mexas no Meu Periscópio
- Tűz a víz alá!
- Sænk Periskopet
- Nagi peryskop
- צוללת דיזל
- Por Água Abaixo
- Çılgın Denizaltı
- Морски трепачи
- 潛艇總動員
- Прибрати перископ
- S.O.S. Πεντάγωνο Καλεί Υποβρύχιο της Συμφοράς
- นาวีดำเลอะ
- 潜水艇老爷子
- 잠망경을 올려라
- Periscopul jos
- Periskop hore a dole
- Perskooppi pystyyn
- Locos a Bordo
- Nuleist periskopą!
- Luđaci u podmornici
Seen Down Periscope?
Movies Like Down Periscope
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Up Periscope, Submarine Patrol and You’re in the Navy Now.
Down Periscope FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Down Periscope, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Down Periscope?
Down Periscope runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was Down Periscope released?
Down Periscope was released on March 1, 1996.
Who directed Down Periscope?
Down Periscope was directed by David S. Ward.
More films by David S. Ward Who is in the cast of Down Periscope?
Down Periscope stars Kelsey Grammer as Lt. Commander Tom Dodge, Rip Torn as Admiral Winslow and Bruce Dern as Rear Admiral Yancy Graham, among 45 credited actors.
How much did Down Periscope make at the box office?
Down Periscope grossed $37.6 million worldwide ($25.8 million domestic, $11.8 million international).
Does Down Periscope have a post-credit scene?
No. Down Periscope has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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