Sean Connery’s James Bond films weren’t his only Cold War spy thrillers.
Back in 1990, the original 007 starred in The Hunt for Red October, a film adaptation of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan novel of the same name.
This was the first big screen appearance of the US Marine turned CIA analyst who rises to become National Security Advisor, Vice President and eventually US President.
Alec Baldwin was the first actor to play the character in cinema, and in the movie, ahead of Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Chris Pine and John Krasinski.
In The Hunt for Red October, Connery’s Soviet naval captain wishes to defect to the US with his officers and the Russians’ most advanced new ballistic missile submarine.
Ryan deduces the defectors’ intentions but must prove this to his High Command before things escalate between the Soviet and US Navies. Nominated for three Oscars, the film won for Best Sound Effects Editing.
The Hunt for Red October is on Channel 4 at 5:30pm.
