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'''''Steel Sharks''''' is a 1997 American [[action film]] directed by [[Rodney McDonald (Director) | Rodney McDonald]] and starring [[Gary Busey]], [[Billy Dee Williams]] and [[Billy Warlock]]. It concerns a group of [[Navy SEALs]] who are captured and taken aboard an Iranian submarine from which they must escape to survive. The film was released [[straight-to-video]].<ref>[http://www.radiotimes.com/film/fmc7tf/steel-sharks/ Steel Sharks Review] RadioTimes. John Ferguson. Retrieved: 28/05/18</ref> Several scenes involving Navy helicopter, ship, and command footage from this film were used in the production of [[Crash Dive (1996) | Crash Dive]], [[Freedom Strike]], [[Counter Measures]] and [[Agent Red]].<ref name="IMDbConnections">[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117738/movieconnections/?tab=mc&ref_=tt_trv_cnn IMDb Connections]</ref>

{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Steel Sharks
| name = Steel Sharks
| image =
| image = Steel Sharks film.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = DVD cover
| film name = <!-- {{Infobox name module|language|title}} or {{Infobox name module|title}} -->
| native_name = <!-- {{Infobox name module|language|title}} or {{Infobox name module|title}} -->
| director = Rodney McDonald
| director = Rodney McDonald
| producer = {{plainlist |
| producer = {{plain list |
*[[Ashok Amritraj]]
* [[Ashok Amritraj]]
*[[Andrew Stevens]]
* [[Andrew Stevens]]
}}
}}
| writer = {{plainlist |
| writer = {{plain list |
*Rodney McDonald
* Rodney McDonald
*William C. Martell
* William C. Martell
}}
}}
| screenplay =
| screenplay =
| story =
| story =
| based on = <!-- {{Based on|title of the original work|creator of the original work|additional creator(s), if necessary}} -->
| based_on = <!-- {{Based on|title of the original work|creator of the original work|additional creator(s), if necessary}} -->
| starring = {{plainlist |
| starring = {{plain list |
*[[Gary Busey]]
* [[Gary Busey]]
*[[Billy Dee Williams]]
* [[Billy Dee Williams]]
*[[Billy Warlock]]
* [[Billy Warlock]]
}}
}}
| narrator =
| narrator =
| music = [[David Lawrence (composer) | David Lawrence]]
| music = David Lawrence
| cinematography = Bryan Greenberg
| cinematography = Bryan Greenberg
| editing = W. Peter Miller
| editing = W. Peter Miller
| studio = Royal Oaks Entertainment, Inc.
| studio = Royal Oaks Entertainment, Inc.
| distributor = <!-- or: | distributors = -->
| distributor = <!-- or: | distributors = -->
| released = 1997
| released = {{Film date|1997|06|25}}
| runtime = 94 minutes
| runtime = 94 minutes
| country =
| country =
Line 37: Line 35:
| gross =
| gross =
}}
}}
⚫
'''''Steel Sharks''''' is a 1997 American direct-to-video [[action film]] directed by Rodney McDonald and starring [[Gary Busey]], [[Billy Dee Williams]] and [[Billy Warlock]]. It concerns a group of [[Navy SEALs]] who are captured and taken aboard an Iranian submarine from which they must escape to survive. The film was released [[straight-to-video]].<ref>[http://www.radiotimes.com/film/fmc7tf/steel-sharks/ Steel Sharks Review] RadioTimes. John Ferguson. Retrieved: 28/05/18</ref> Several scenes involving Navy helicopter, ship, and command footage from this film were used in the production of ''Crash Dive'', ''Freedom Strike'', ''Counter Measures'' and ''[[Agent Red]]''.<ref name="IMDbConnections">[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117738/movieconnections/?tab=mc&ref_=tt_trv_cnn IMDb Connections]</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
The film opens with a news report of a revolution that has overthrown the Iranian government. This coincides with the disappearance of an American UN chemical weapons inspector, Dr. John Van Tasset ([[Barry Livingston]]), in Iraq. The US is determined to stage a rescue in the fear that he will be used to develop weapons for the new Iranian government. A Navy SEALs team is recruited for the mission, but is down a member due to illness. Enter Bob Rodgers ([[Billy Warlock]]), a young SEAL fresh out of school. The SEAL team is flown out to an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf where we meet Adm. Jim Perry ([[Billy Dee Williams]]) who commands the fleet and the rescue mission. The SEAL team will be dispatched from a submarine to rescue the scientist from where he is being held in Iran.
A news report announces a revolution has overthrown the Iranian government. This coincides with the disappearance of an American [[United Nations|UN]] chemical weapons inspector, Dr. John Van Tasset ([[Barry Livingston]]), in [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]]. The US is determined to stage a rescue, fearing that he will be used to develop weapons for the new Iranian government. A [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEAL]] team is recruited for the mission, but is down a member due to illness. The replacement, Bob Rodgers, ([[Billy Warlock]]), is a young SEAL fresh out of [[United States Navy SEAL selection and training|school]]. The SEAL team is flown out to an [[Carrier battle group|aircraft carrier group]] in the [[Persian Gulf]], where they meet Rear Admiral Jim Perry ([[Billy Dee Williams]]), who commands the fleet and the rescue mission, and will be dispatched from a submarine to rescue the scientist from where he is being held in Iran.


Upon arrival at the submarine Cmdr. Bill McKay ([[Gary Busey]]) is introduced and the SEALs are quickly sent off to rescue Dr. Tasset. They stalk quietly through the Iranian compound killing everyone they meet. After rescuing Dr. Tasset from an interrogation, they try to sneak back to the US submarine but are discovered by a group of soldiers that alert the entire base. They get into a gun battle where one of the members of the team is killed and the others are ultimately captured. They are taken to a new secret Iranian submarine for safe keeping.
Upon arrival at the submarine, Cmdr. Bill McKay ([[Gary Busey]]) is introduced and the SEALs are quickly sent off to rescue Dr. Tasset. They stalk quietly through the Iranian compound killing everyone they meet. After rescuing Dr. Tasset from an interrogation, they try to sneak back to the US submarine but are discovered by a group of soldiers that alert the entire base. They get into a gun battle where one of the members of the team is killed and the others are ultimately captured. They are taken to a new secret Iranian submarine for safe keeping.


Onboard the Iranian submarine, the leader of the SEAL team is taken to Captain Reza Lashgar ([[Shaun Toub]]) who shoots him despite the protests of others on the crew. The sonar technician aboard the US submarine detects the sound of gunshots and Cmdr. McKay begins to follow the Iranian submarine. At the same time the SEAL Team realizes they have to escape to survive and plan an ambush of the guards, which works flawlessly. They split up, one group to head straight to the escape hatch and the other to communicate their escape to the US submarine. Through this electronic communication, Cmdr. McKay is aware that the SEALs have escaped and begins to hunt the Iranian submarine to buy time. They are engaged multiple times by the submarine, but expertly evade their torpedoes. With the help of Bob Rodgers' lucky coin{{what|date=May 2018}}, both groups of SEALs are able to reach the escape hatch and leave the submarine. Cmdr. McKay deftly leads the Iranian submarine down a narrow canyon, resulting in Iranian submarine striking the canyon wall with a torpedo and being sunk by the falling debris. Enraged, Captain Lashgar blows the ballast and the Iranian submarine rises for one last attack. Knowing the SEALs are safe, Cmdr. McKay torpedoes the Iranian submarine, destroying it.
On board the Iranian submarine, the leader of the SEAL team is taken to Captain Reza Lashgar ([[Shaun Toub]]) who shoots him despite the protests of others on the crew. The sonar technician aboard the US submarine detects the sound of gunshots and McKay begins to follow the Iranian submarine. Simultaneously, the SEAL Team realizes they have to escape to survive and plan an ambush of the guards, which works flawlessly. They split up, one group to head straight to the escape hatch and the other to communicate their escape to the US submarine. Through this electronic communication, McKay is aware that the SEALs have escaped and begins to hunt the Iranian submarine to buy time. They are engaged multiple times by the submarine, but expertly evade their torpedoes. With the help of Bob Rodgers' lucky coin{{clarify|date=May 2018}}, both groups of SEALs are able to reach the escape hatch and leave the submarine. McKay deftly leads the Iranian submarine down a narrow canyon, resulting in the submarine striking the canyon wall with a torpedo and being sunk by the falling debris. Enraged, Captain Lashgar blows the ballast and the Iranian submarine rises for one last attack. Knowing the SEALs are safe, McKay torpedoes and destroys the Iranian submarine.


== Cast ==
==Cast==

⚫
* [[Gary Busey]] as Commander Bill McKay
⚫
* [[Billy Dee Williams]] as Rear Admiral Jim Perry
⚫
* [[Billy Warlock]] as Bob Rogers
⚫
* [[Shaun Toub]] as Captain Reza Lashgar
⚫
* [[Robert Miranda (actor)|Robert Miranda]] as Gregorov
⚫
* David Roberson as Lieutenant Dave Zamborski
⚫
* [[Barry Livingston]] as Dr. John Van Tasset
⚫
* Tim Abell as Cord
⚫
* [[Mathew St. Patrick]] as Mattox
⚫
* [[Eric Lawson (actor)|Eric Lawson]] as Vice Admiral Evans
⚫
* Tim Lounibos as Mack
⚫
* Matthew R. Anderson as Petty Officer Kaplan
⚫
* [[Larry Poindexter]] as Dobbins
⚫
* [[Anthony Griffith (actor)|Anthony Griffith]] as Bernie
⚫
* Miranda Wolfe as Lieutenant Hickey


⚫
*[[Gary Busey]] as Cmdr. Bill McKay
⚫
*[[Billy Dee Williams]] as Adm. Jim Perry
⚫
*[[Billy Warlock]] as Bob Rogers
⚫
*[[Shaun Toub]] as Capt. Reza Lashgar
⚫
*[[Robert Miranda (actor) | Robert Miranda]] as Gregorov
⚫
*[[David Roberson]] as Lt. Dave Zamborski
⚫
*[[Barry Livingston]] as Dr. John Van Tasset
⚫
*[[Tim Abell]] as Cord
⚫
*[[Mathew St. Patrick]] as Mattox
⚫
*[[Eric Lawson (actor) | Eric Lawson]] as Adm. Evans
⚫
*[[Tim Lounibos]] as Mack
⚫
*[[Matthew R. Anderson]] as PO Kaplan
⚫
*[[Larry Poindexter]] as Dobbins
⚫
*[[Anthony Griffith (actor) | Anthony Griffith]] as Bernie
⚫
*[[Miranda Wolfe]] as Lt. Hickey
== Production ==
== Production ==
Producer Andrew Stevens wrote that Gary Busey had an insurance exclusion for exposure to horse saliva while working on Steel Sharks. Fortunately for the production of the film it was "set on a submarine, so there was little likelihood of that."<ref name="Producing for Profit">{{cite book |last=Stevens |first=Andrew |date=2016 |title=Producing for Profit: A Practical Guide to Making Independent and Studio Films |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-138-12105-8 }}</ref>
Producer Andrew Stevens wrote that Gary Busey had an insurance exclusion for exposure to horse saliva while working on ''Steel Sharks''. Fortunately for the production of the film it was "set on a submarine, so there was little likelihood of that."<ref name="Producing for Profit">{{cite book |last=Stevens |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Stevens |year=2016 |title=Producing for Profit: A Practical Guide to Making Independent and Studio Films |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |isbn=978-1-138-12105-8}}</ref>


The US submarine in the film is named the USS Oakland and is identified as SSN-798. This submarine identifier now corresponds to the Virginia-class submarine the [[USS Massachusetts (SSN-798) | USS Massachusetts]], which is currently under construction. According to special thanks credits given at the end of the film the USS Oakland was portrayed by the [[USS La Jolla]] (SSN-701) and [[USS Portsmouth (SSN-707) | USS Portsmouth]] (SSN-707) and the supercarrier in the film was portrayed by the [[USS Constellation (CV-64)]] and the [[USS Nimitz | USS Nimitz (CV-68)]].
The US submarine in the film is named the USS ''Oakland'' and is identified as SSN-798. This submarine identifier now corresponds to the ''Virginia''-class submarine the {{USS|Massachusetts|SSN-798|6}}, which is currently under construction. According to special thanks credits given at the end of the film the USS ''Oakland'' was portrayed by the {{USS|La Jolla|SSN-701}} and {{USS|Portsmouth|SSN-707|6}} (SSN-707), and the supercarrier in the film was portrayed by the {{USS|Constellation|CV-64}} and the {{USS|Nimitz|CV-68}}.


== Reception ==
== Reception ==


The film has received a 33% audience score on [[Rotten Tomatoes]].<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes|steel_sharks}}</ref> A review by The Movie Scene gave this film 2 out of 5 stars.<ref>[https://www.themoviescene.co.uk/reviews/steel-sjarks-1997/steel-sjarks-1997.html The Movie Scene Review]</ref>
<!-- On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] ZERO reviews.<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes|steel_sharks}}</ref> -->
A review by The Movie Scene gave this film 2 out of 5 stars.<ref>[https://www.themoviescene.co.uk/reviews/steel-sjarks-1997/steel-sjarks-1997.html The Movie Scene Review]</ref>


The film was featured in the series We Found It on Watch Instantly on Grantland.com.<ref name="grantland">[http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/we-found-it-on-watch-instantly-steel-sharks-with-gary-busey/ Grantland.com]</ref>
The film was featured in the series We Found It on Watch Instantly on [[Grantland.com]].<ref name="grantland">[http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/we-found-it-on-watch-instantly-steel-sharks-with-gary-busey/ Grantland.com]</ref>


Noted scholar [[Jack Shaheen]] included Steel Sharks in his book [[Reel Bad Arabs]] as an example of the "bad Arab character" and draws similarities between this film and the film [[Navy SEALs (film) | Navy SEALs]].<ref name="Reel Bad Arabs">{{cite book|last1=Shaheen|first1=Jack G.|title=Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People|date=2012|publisher=Olive Branch Press, Interlink Publishing Group|location=New York|isbn=978-1-623-71006-4|edition=Revised and updated|url=http://www.worldcat.org/title/reel-bad-arabs-how-hollywood-vilifies-a-people/oclc/928572276/viewport|oclc=928572276}} – originally published in 2001</ref>
Noted scholar [[Jack Shaheen]] included ''Steel Sharks'' in his book ''[[Reel Bad Arabs]]'' as an example of the "bad Arab character" and draws similarities between this film and the film [[Navy SEALs (film)|''Navy SEALs'']].<ref name="Reel Bad Arabs">{{cite book|last1=Shaheen|first1=Jack G.|title=Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People|date=2012|publisher=Olive Branch Press, Interlink Publishing Group|location=New York|isbn=978-1-623-71006-4|edition=Revised and updated|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/928572276|oclc=928572276}} – originally published in 2001</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

⚫
== External Links ==
⚫
*[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117738/?ref_=ttmc_mc_tt Steel Sharks] on [[IMDb]]


⚫
== External links ==
⚫
[[Category:Film]]
⚫
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117738/?ref_=ttmc_mc_tt Steel Sharks] on [[IMDb]]


⚫
[[Category:1997 films]]
{{improve categories|date=May 2018}}
[[Category:1997 action films]]
[[Category:1997 direct-to-video films]]
[[Category:American action films]]
[[Category:American direct-to-video films]]
[[Category:Direct-to-video action films]]
[[Category:Films about terrorism]]
[[Category:Films about United States Navy SEALs]]
[[Category:Submarine films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Rodney McDonald]]
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:English-language action films]]

Latest revision as of 18:09, 22 September 2024

Steel Sharks
DVD cover
Directed byRodney McDonald
Written by
  • Rodney McDonald
  • William C. Martell
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBryan Greenberg
Edited byW. Peter Miller
Music byDavid Lawrence
Production
companies
Royal Oaks Entertainment, Inc.
Release date
  • June 25, 1997 (1997-06-25)
Running time
94 minutes

Steel Sharks is a 1997 American direct-to-video action film directed by Rodney McDonald and starring Gary Busey, Billy Dee Williams and Billy Warlock. It concerns a group of Navy SEALs who are captured and taken aboard an Iranian submarine from which they must escape to survive. The film was released straight-to-video.[1] Several scenes involving Navy helicopter, ship, and command footage from this film were used in the production of Crash Dive, Freedom Strike, Counter Measures and Agent Red.[2]

Plot

[edit]

A news report announces a revolution has overthrown the Iranian government. This coincides with the disappearance of an American UN chemical weapons inspector, Dr. John Van Tasset (Barry Livingston), in Iraq. The US is determined to stage a rescue, fearing that he will be used to develop weapons for the new Iranian government. A Navy SEAL team is recruited for the mission, but is down a member due to illness. The replacement, Bob Rodgers, (Billy Warlock), is a young SEAL fresh out of school. The SEAL team is flown out to an aircraft carrier group in the Persian Gulf, where they meet Rear Admiral Jim Perry (Billy Dee Williams), who commands the fleet and the rescue mission, and will be dispatched from a submarine to rescue the scientist from where he is being held in Iran.

Upon arrival at the submarine, Cmdr. Bill McKay (Gary Busey) is introduced and the SEALs are quickly sent off to rescue Dr. Tasset. They stalk quietly through the Iranian compound killing everyone they meet. After rescuing Dr. Tasset from an interrogation, they try to sneak back to the US submarine but are discovered by a group of soldiers that alert the entire base. They get into a gun battle where one of the members of the team is killed and the others are ultimately captured. They are taken to a new secret Iranian submarine for safe keeping.

On board the Iranian submarine, the leader of the SEAL team is taken to Captain Reza Lashgar (Shaun Toub) who shoots him despite the protests of others on the crew. The sonar technician aboard the US submarine detects the sound of gunshots and McKay begins to follow the Iranian submarine. Simultaneously, the SEAL Team realizes they have to escape to survive and plan an ambush of the guards, which works flawlessly. They split up, one group to head straight to the escape hatch and the other to communicate their escape to the US submarine. Through this electronic communication, McKay is aware that the SEALs have escaped and begins to hunt the Iranian submarine to buy time. They are engaged multiple times by the submarine, but expertly evade their torpedoes. With the help of Bob Rodgers' lucky coin[clarification needed], both groups of SEALs are able to reach the escape hatch and leave the submarine. McKay deftly leads the Iranian submarine down a narrow canyon, resulting in the submarine striking the canyon wall with a torpedo and being sunk by the falling debris. Enraged, Captain Lashgar blows the ballast and the Iranian submarine rises for one last attack. Knowing the SEALs are safe, McKay torpedoes and destroys the Iranian submarine.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Producer Andrew Stevens wrote that Gary Busey had an insurance exclusion for exposure to horse saliva while working on Steel Sharks. Fortunately for the production of the film it was "set on a submarine, so there was little likelihood of that."[3]

The US submarine in the film is named the USS Oakland and is identified as SSN-798. This submarine identifier now corresponds to the Virginia-class submarine the USS Massachusetts, which is currently under construction. According to special thanks credits given at the end of the film the USS Oakland was portrayed by the USS La Jolla (SSN-701) and USS Portsmouth (SSN-707), and the supercarrier in the film was portrayed by the USS Constellation (CV-64) and the USS Nimitz (CV-68).

Reception

[edit]

A review by The Movie Scene gave this film 2 out of 5 stars.[4]

The film was featured in the series We Found It on Watch Instantly on Grantland.com.[5]

Noted scholar Jack Shaheen included Steel Sharks in his book Reel Bad Arabs as an example of the "bad Arab character" and draws similarities between this film and the film Navy SEALs.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Steel Sharks Review RadioTimes. John Ferguson. Retrieved: 28/05/18
  2. ^ IMDb Connections
  3. ^ Stevens, Andrew (2016). Producing for Profit: A Practical Guide to Making Independent and Studio Films. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-138-12105-8.
  4. ^ The Movie Scene Review
  5. ^ Grantland.com
  6. ^ Shaheen, Jack G. (2012). Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People (Revised and updated ed.). New York: Olive Branch Press, Interlink Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-623-71006-4. OCLC 928572276. – originally published in 2001
[edit]
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