Gray Lady Down

U- boat in distress (Original Title: Gray Lady Down) is an American disaster film that was filmed in 1978, directed by David Greene.

Action

Captain Paul Blanchard, commander of the nuclear submarine USS Neptune, makes his last ride before he was appointed Fleet Commander and his first officer takes over as the new commander of the Neptune. However, on the last trip in the Atlantic Ocean it comes to an incident. A freighter that his journey continues despite dense fog and unusual radar, rams the Neptune and tearing a large hole in the submarine. The Neptune drops and remains lying on a rocky reef in more than 1000 feet in depth. On board are only 41 survivors, including Blanchard and some seriously injured. No one knows how long the Scots will withstand the high water pressure yet. The oxygen supply only lasts for 36 hours and the Neptune may at any time be torn by a landslide even further into the depths, where the water pressure is so high that it is simply crushed. Between Blanchard and his first officer a dispute arises, because this is of the opinion that it was unnecessary to show up, and it would not have come to the collision.

Captain Bennett, who is to conduct the rescue operation is brought aboard the Nassau, which is already at the crash site and has received radio contact with Neptune. In addition, a rescue submersible, called DSRV, requested to bring the survivors back to top. The rescue operation is associated with considerable difficulties. By a landslide, the exit hatch of Neptune is filled. In order freizubekommen again, Captain Gates and Chief Mickey are requested, who together designed and built the two-man submersible Snark. First, Captain Bennett has with the idiosyncratic Captain Gates some differences that need to be resolved. With the help of the Snark the hatch is freed again. But then tilts the Neptune by another landslide on the side, so that the DSRV does not reach the exit hatch. In addition, the radio of the Neptune has failed, so that only an understanding about knocking is possible.

Blanchard wants to empty the remaining compressed air reserves one of the ballast tanks, that the Neptune straightens again in hope. This leads to a tragic incident. The ballast tank can be emptied only about Notentleerungsventile that must be held open manually. As in the space, the location of these valves, the bulkhead breaks, the second bulkhead must be immediately closed to prevent the rest of the submarine is running full of water. Due to the location of the submarine and the weight of the bulkhead, it is not to manage to close the bulkhead from one side. Blanchard and his first officer close the bulkhead with united forces of both sides, while another officer holds open the valves. So Blanchard has to watch as his two officers become trapped in the gap and go for the rest of the survivors to death. The Neptune straightens back up, but then remains by a rock curtain in an inclined position stand so that the DSRV always is still far from the exit hatch.

Captain Bennett calls for an explosive team that rocks the curtain to blow up, so that the Neptune can fully upright again. For this purpose, a highly explosive special explosive charge must be brought accurately into position, so that Neptune does not suffer any further damage from the blast with the help of the Snark. Finally, the explosion and the DSRV can finally pick up the survivors succeed. As the DSRV the last survivors receive, the Neptune to slip off the reef begins. To prevent this, Captain Gates pushes the Snark as a wedge under the Neptune, making the small dive boat is crushed and gates for the success of the rescue operation also goes to his death.

1978 in film David Greene (director) Screenplay Jim Whittaker Howard Sackler Film score Jerry Fielding Charles Robinson (actor)
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