I have to echo what others have mentioned about Baldwin's Jack Ryan. Baldwin is a complete and total human garbage bag. However, his version of Jack Ryan was much closer to the book than all of the others. Harrison Ford's Ryan had little if anything to do with the books. Hell, I didn't even find him likeable as Ryan. Affleck? He plays the same character in everything from Batman to The Town.

I had really high hopes for Jim Halpert, but he butchered Jack Ryan as well. His Ryan is brooding and probably in need of some form of medication.

Now, don't get me wrong. I found them all to be entertaining in their own way, but Baldwin played it close to the book, instead of playing someone that shares the same name as someone in the book.

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:

quote:

Originally posted by Hound Dog:

quote:

Originally posted by randyman:
I think everyone working there had a copy of the book on their desk. Although I never read the book, I was told that Clancy described these systems in great detail.

Clancy did make some good guesses. I am certainly not an expert on submarines, SOSUS/sonar, spook ops, etc., but reading his material on missile warning and nuclear detonation detection systems (particularly in Sum of All Fears), I do know that he was kind of close to how things worked, but he had made some significant errors.

I'd guess that he had some official gov't/DOD/CIA/whatever "assistance", and that came with some stipulations about what he could NOT include.

Years ago I read an interview someone had with Clancy & that subject was brought up. He said that while he got alot of his info from military or gov sources, all the "secret" stuff he wrote about was available to the public if a person knew where to look.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
Now, don't get me wrong. I found them all to be entertaining in their own way, but Baldwin played it close to the book, instead of playing someone that shares the same name as someone in the book.

It was Baldwin's first leading role, as he had just gotten done with Bettlejuice and his stint on Knots Landing. With Clancy still around and Baldwin still a neophyte in the movie business, I imagine he read up on the character quite a bit and worked hard to be honest to the role. What he's done afterwards....

Krasinski I had hopes for given how he performed in 13-hours and the first season wasn't too bad, however there volume of people involved in all the script writing and directing, has resulted in a watered-down character and some very odd storylines.

That is one of my favorite movies, I didn't read the book so no comparison, but still a good movie.

I was a brand new wet behind the ears Seaman who had just reported to his first command when that book was published. I was in the ship's store of the USS Hunley (AS-31) while stationed at Submarine Refit Site One Holyloch Scotland when I seen and bought the book. I read it in about a day and half. I just couldn't put it down.

quote:

Originally posted by Ironbutt:
Years ago I read an interview someone had with Clancy & that subject was brought up. He said that while he got a lot of his info from military or gov sources, all the "secret" stuff he wrote about was available to the public if a person knew where to look.

A lot of eyebrows were raised very early (I was at a Naval Nuclear Shipyard at the time) which resulted in the U.S. Naval Institute, who had published the book, declaring what Ironbutt has posted, that they had verified the information in the book was gained from unclassified sources.

Red Storm Rising is pretty damn good too.

I read the book and have aeen the movie multiple times. Great Book but I truly enjoyed that movie !

Red October is a family favorite in our household.