A Critical Movie Review of the Leadership Roles in Crimson Tide
...s crew. In fact, according to Bass (1990), a typical authoritarian leader “depend[s] on their power to coerce and their ability to persuade. An able [authoritarian] leader successfully persuades others to follow him or her because they expect that following the leader’s suggestions will result in solving the problems the group faces” (p. 419). The CO is “all business” and follows the military rules by the book. According to the CO, “Orders are orders”; there are no exceptions. He “uses his power to be strict rather than lenient, to supervise closely, and to ensure adherence to procedures” (Bass, 1990, p. 419). Hackman’s character absolutely supports the existing military hierarchical authority; even resorting to violence to get the attention of his subordinates. For example, he threatens to shoot Weps (the weapons officer) and one of his workers when they refuse to follow his orders and even punches his XO when he does not comply with his CO’s demands. As a result of their different leadership styles and beliefs, the CO and XO experience divergence from the moment they meet. Hackman’s character puts his XO “under the microscope” from the beginning of movie when they meet in the wardroom. Using the context of a discussion of whether or not the dropping of the A-bombs in Japan was an appropriate action, the CO tells Washington’s character that he is complicated and not simple like himself, “I push the button; I take orders.” The XO informs his CO that he is there to ask questions, “Why push the button? The true enemy cannot be destroyed; the true enemy is war itself.” Furthermore, there is an obvious disagreement between the two men about the timing of the fire and missile drill. The CO takes this opportunity to inform his XO that he does tolerate undermining from a lower officer, “I have an unqualified belief in the chain of command.” Hackman’s character makes it very clear that he is the one in charge; if the CO has any doubts or questions, he is to do it in private and not in front of the other men. The main conflict, however, between the XO and the CO is seen as an outcome of the lack of confirmation of orders that are received prior to the submarine’s radio communications going down. Up until this moment, Washington and Hackman's characters butt heads on what seems to be on the surface just a conflict of interest, but this actually turns out to be major differences of belief. According to an on-line movie review, At this most critical moment, the command structure falls apart as a dispute between the Captain and Executive Officer over the proper course of action results in the crew splitting into two combative factions. The ship convulses as the rival groups take, then lose, control of command. With the clock ticking toward the last possible moment for launch, the situation must be resolved one way or another, with potentially disastrous consequences to an incorrect decision. (www.donet.com) The Chief of Boat (Cob) is caught up in the middle of the conflict, but waivers in his support of his superiors. Throughout the movie, the Cob’s allegiance swings back and forth between the CO and the XO, much like a pendulum. He plays a less significant role on the submarine. A much more important duty falls in the hands of the XO – to help with the authentication of the Emergency Action Messages. He serves a redundant role to question the source of the message and to assure that unnecessary perilous actions are not taken. According to military protocol, the CO is not to make important actions (such as firing on a Russian submarine) without the consent of his XO. In Crimson Tide, Washington’s character “destroys the chain of command in order to save it… As second in command, he must act as a counter force if the captain’s life-and-death decision proves wrong. In the heat of the moment… only correctness counts” (www.crescentblues.com). Although the XO’s decision to hold his fire until a confirmation of the second message is received causes the crew to become frightened and torn between the two leaders, he knows he is doing the right thing. The loom...