Wordiezett So much average

Protraph Lack of good storyline.

Donald Seymour This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Bill Goode Spoiler Alert - Ending Revealed This film is full of suspense, but has several points that are very unrealistic.1) It is very unrealistic that any drug would have a beneficial reaction to another toxin. It makes an interesting plot, but it's a very unrealistic scenario. Equavil, the fictional drug in question, is described to treat "reactive depression". Therefore the presumed effect it would have would be to increase anxiety, the reaction that the crew was already having to the toxin in the paint. That makes the story of Equavil neutralizing the toxin totally implausible.2) The crew exited the submarine Montana North of the Arctic Circle, possibly even North of 70 degrees latitude. The water temperature at that latitude would be unbearably cold. The crew would not survive long enough for more helicopters to get to them, except those in the rafts. But as can be viewed in the film, most of the crew were not in rafts, but in the water.3) What was the purpose of Capt. Allard Renslow jumping out of the helicopter into the water? He could not possibly help any of the crew in the water, once he was in the water himself, especially water as cold as it would be North of the Arctic Circle. Renslow jumping into the water had a dramatic effect to rejoin with Van Meer. Nevertheless, there was no way Renslow would be any benefit to Van Meer or any of the other crew in the water.

ddc300 When I first saw this years ago on network TV, I knew the story seemed familiar, but I couldn't remember where I saw it. Then "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" was released on DVD and it came to me: there was an episode where a 'sister' submarine was destroyed and the Seaview was sent to investigate. Along the way the Admiral (Richard Basehart) becomes an unstable paranoid -- much like David Soul in "Fifth Missile". I forgot the specifics, but as with this movie the plot device of 'something in the air' is used to create a tense situation on the submarine.Good performances from a solid cast of pros makes this an interesting TV movie. Had there been a larger budget this could have made an excellent theatrical film. Some obviously poor special effects and a dull soundtrack are overlooked because the plot's tension keeps things moving.This film is ripe for DVD distribution.

johnc-4 This is one of my all-time favorite submarine movies, the other 2 being CRIMSON TIDE and HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER. Having served on an SSBN it brings back lots of memories. And I just re-read the book. Great action and tense drama. Looking to get a copy of this. Hoped it'd come out on DVD, but so far it hasn't. I'd buy a copy of the movie on VHS if someone has a good copy, please email me.

degracia "The Fifth Missile" is the story of a ballistic missile submarine that has been re-painted hastily, and as a result, its crew suffers from a toxic-induced neurosis. As a low-budget, made for TV movie, "The Fifth Missile" is reasonably interesting, and understandably cheesy. What saves "The Fifth Missile" from complete mediocrity is its all-star cast, which among others includes Robert Conrad, Richard Roundtree, and Sam Waterston.The acting is top-notch, despite the limitations of plot, story, and budget. "The Fifth Missile" and its expressions of neurosis are particularly interesting, especially since the crew's reaction to wet, blue paint are similar to Star Trek: The Original Series' "Naked Now" episode. But in the final analysis, "The Fifth Missile" seems to be a relatively good effort on the part of the directors. Best if watched with an open mind.