Introduction

Tides of War (also known as Phantom Below and USS Poseidon: Phantom Below) is the first film released by Hawaii-based studio Pacific Films.

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Its world premiere was at the Hawaii International Film Festival on 31 March 2005.

The film is notable in that it has several different editions, one for general audiences, another with eight additional minutes for Japanese audiences and one with homosexual themes for the LGBT-interest television channel called here!.

It was filmed entirely on the Hawaiian island of Oahu and employed hundreds of local actors and crew members. It was produced and directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith and stars Adrian Paul as Commander Frank Habley and Mike Doyle as his lover, Lieutenant Commander Tom Palatonio.

Outline

The film takes place primarily in the waters off the coast of North Korea with some scenes set in Hawaii. As it opens, an American submarine under the command of Commander Habley is attacked by an enemy submarine that has no sonar signature. Although it survives the fight, the American submarine is badly damaged and Tom, Habley’s executive officer and lover, is killed.

Upon return to base in Pearl Harbor, Commander Habley is subjected to a court martial. The Navy does not believe his story and it appears his career is over until he is recruited to command a covert mission to tap an underwater cable lying between North Korea and mainland China. This is a highly sensitive and dangerous task because tensions are rising between the United States and North Korea, and it appears the two nations are on the brink of war. Habley’s mission is complicated by the presence of Lieutenant Claire Trifoli, Tom’s sister, who blames him for her brother’s death.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s): Brian Trenchard-Smith.
• Producer(s): Brian Trenchard-Smith.
• Writer(s): Stephen P. Jarchow (story) and Mark Sanderson (screenplay).
• Music: David Reynolds.
• Cinematography: Paul Atkins and Mark Gerasimenko.
• Editor(s): Stephen Mirrione.
• Release Date: 01 April 2005.
• Running Time: 95 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.