Their Own Moral Decisions example essay topic

Morality in The Hunt for Red October While hundreds, even thousands of excellent movies have been made over the years since motion pictures were invented, there are some movies that stand out among the best. There are various reasons for these standouts, sometimes incredible acting, sometimes impeccable story lines, but in many cases, it is the issues addressed by the movie. Most of the greatest movies contain commentaries or analyses of certain issues, be they moral, social, or otherwise. John McTiernan directed one of these films, The Hunt for Red October, based on the similarly titled best-selling novel by Tom Clancy. The Hunt for Red October, a product of the anti-communist attitudes of the 1980's, is above all a commentary on morality. It follows a critical moral decision made by one man, Soviet Captain Marko Ramius, portrayed by Sean Connery, and follows the consequences of that moral decision to their conclusion.

While this is not the only instance of morality being questioned in this movie, it is the most important, as it is the decision upon which the story is based. Other characters, like Alec Baldwin's character of Jack Ryan, and Scott Glenn's character Captain Bart Mancuso also have to make moral decisions that will have important effects on Ramius' decision. The storyline of this movie is a result of Ramius' moral dilemma. While he has served the Soviet Union faithfully for years, he must now decide between patriotism and what he believes is right.

He is made captain of a new nuclear missile submarine with a silent drive capability that would enable it to quietly approach the American coast and shower the United States with multiple nuclear missiles. Ramius realizes that this submarine has no other purpose than to take lives and to start, and finish, a war. He decides to defect with the submarine to the United States, betraying the Soviet Union. He knows that his defection will be considered treason, and that the Soviet navy will hunt him and attempt to sink him. Despite this, he decides to defect, choosing what he believes is right over what he is told is right by the Soviet navy. This is a direct commentary on the idea of doing what you feel is right instead of what you are told to do.

Through the course of the movie we see the effects of this decision. The Soviets try to convince the Americans that he is intending to attack the United States, and the Americans, once they realize Ramius is trying to defect, try to help him defect. The officers of Ramius' crew have also had to make their own moral decisions as they assist Ramius' defection. They, too, have had to follow the beliefs of right and wrong instead of the morality that has been given to them by their naval superiors. There is also a moral decision to be made by the KGB agent loyal to the Soviet Union on Ramius's submarine, the cook's assistant Login ov. When he discovers that Ramius is intending to defect, he makes the decision to attempt to stop Ramius, even at cost of his own life.

The fact that he is against the hero of the movie, Ramius, does not mean that he is evil, although he is seen as such for purposes of the movie. His decision comes from his belief that what Ramius is doing is morally wrong. He believes that defection is treason, and is unacceptable under any circumstances, and he believes that it is his job to prevent this treason. His decision comes from his own moral beliefs, and therefore cannot be labeled as wrong. His beliefs are simply different from Ramius'. The Russians are not the only characters that must make moral decisions.

The other main character of the movie, Jack Ryan, must face his own moral decisions. To begin, he must decide whether to follow the advice of the military council, or to follow his belief that Ramius is trying to defect. His decision will impact Ramius' decision, since if no one believes that Ramius is trying to defect, they will simply sink him. Instead, he chooses to follow his feelings, and as a result, he is able to help Ramius achieve his goals. He also must make a decision to convince Captain Mancuso to disobey his orders to help achieve Ramius' defection. He even tells a lie and takes an extreme chance to help convince the Captain.

He believes firmly enough in his feelings that he can overcome a great fear of flying to be successful. Scott Glenn's character, Captain Mancuso must also face moral decisions. He decides to trust his feelings and follow the course suggested by his sonar chief, Seaman Jones who believes he can track the nearly silent Red October. Then, when he receives orders from the United States naval command to sink the Red October, he decides to follow Ryan's advice and disobeys the orders, instead attempting to make contact with Ramius. He must even overcome his natural enmity with the Russians to help Ramius succeed.

Another character that must make a moral decision is Admiral Greer, portrayed by James Earl Jones. He knows that the orders that were given to the United States fleet were to sink the Red October, yet he follows his heart, and Jack Ryan's advice, and helps create the ruse that will allow Ramius to defect without the Russians knowledge. The Admiral of the aircraft carrier from which Jack Ryan departs to meet Captain Mancuso's submarine must also make a moral decision. He knows that there is little chance that Jack Ryan's helicopter scheme for meeting the submarine will succeed, but he helps Ryan because he believes that Ryan is doing the right thing, and he wants to do whatever he can to help. Throughout the movie, Captain Ramius' moral decisions, and those of the other characters, converge to create a storyline that makes this movie one of the most memorable in cinema.

Ramius' decision to do what he feels is right instead of what he is told is right leads the other characters to each make their own moral decisions. These decisions, with the exception of the KGB agent's decision to attempt to stop Ramius, contribute to Ramius's uc cess. Each of the Americans choose to follow their feelings rather than what they " ve been instructed to do, and as a result, Ramius succeeds, and each of their decisions is proven to be the right one. The moral issues at the heart of this film contribute greatly to its success and the fantastic ratings it received. As with many other movies, it is enjoyable simply on the movie level, but it is even more entertaining when one can analyze the deeper messages in the film.

It activates our mental viewing, forcing us to use our minds and not just our eyes to watch the film. This is what contributes to the excellence of this film. John McTiernan's exploration of morality in his film The Hunt for Red October is what activates that mental activity when viewing this film, and increases the enjoyment of this movie.