Depth Charge (2008) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A submarine exercise becomes a hostage crisis as an officer seizes command and those aboard attempt to resist an escalating threat.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Routine Exercise Turns Real

The Montana begins with a stealth exercise and simulated procedures. Krieg then seizes command and makes a threat against Washington, transforming a routine operation into a crisis.

Key Events

• Stealth Exercise Begins — Doc tends to a crew member seeking a noticeable scar as the submarine conducts a stealth exercise. Characters: Raymond 'Doc' Ellers, Crew Member Damon Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• Simulated Evasive Maneuvers — The crew carries out simulated evasive maneuvers and torpedo procedures. Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• Krieg Seizes Command — Krieg takes control of the submarine and declares that he has assumed command. Characters: Commander Krieg Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• Threat Against Washington — Krieg demands one billion dollars and threatens to destroy Washington, D.C. Characters: Commander Krieg Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• The Montana's Missile Threat — Officials recognize the danger posed by the stealth prototype and its 24 ballistic missiles. Location: Aboard the USS Montana

The Search and the Sabotage

A missing NATO patrol vessel heightens fears as officials search for the Montana and investigate Krieg's motives and drug treatment. Inside the submarine, Doc persuades Piersall to help resist the hijackers.

Key Events

• NATO Vessel Disappears — A NATO patrol vessel disappears, and officials fear the Montana may have destroyed it. Location: Near the USS Montana
• Forces Go on Alert — The President places forces on alert while officials search for the submarine. Location: Not specified
• Krieg's Grievances Surface — Investigators learn that Krieg is deeply in debt and has career grievances. Characters: Commander Krieg Location: Not specified
• Drug Treatment Discovered — Investigators discover Krieg is taking a brain-tumor drug that can cause psychotic behavior. Characters: Commander Krieg Location: Not specified
• Doc Recruits Piersall — Doc persuades Piersall to help him reach the communications room. Characters: Raymond 'Doc' Ellers, James Piersall Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• Move Toward Communications — Doc and Piersall work to reach the communications room while evading the hijackers. Characters: Raymond 'Doc' Ellers, James Piersall Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• Trash Room Fire — Doc and Piersall set a fire in the trash room as part of their interference with the hijackers. Characters: Raymond 'Doc' Ellers, James Piersall Location: Trash room aboard the USS Montana

The Pursuit Tightens

Doc and Piersall evade the hijackers and interfere with their control, including by setting a fire in the trash room. The Florida fails to destroy the Montana, and Krieg warns that he will launch if another vessel approaches.

Key Events

• Trash Room Fire — Doc and Piersall set a fire in the trash room as part of their interference with the hijackers. Characters: Raymond 'Doc' Ellers, James Piersall Location: Trash room aboard the USS Montana
• Florida Fails to Destroy Montana — The Florida fails to destroy the Montana as the Navy's pursuit continues. Characters: Commander Krieg Location: Near the USS Montana
• Krieg Warns Approaching Forces — Krieg warns he will launch if another vessel approaches, prompting other forces to stand down. Characters: Commander Krieg Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• Reactor Power Lost — The submarine loses its reactor and switches to auxiliary power. Location: Aboard the USS Montana

Power Fails, Deadline Closes

The Montana loses reactor power, switches to auxiliary power, and begins taking on water, preventing it from using stealth mode. Krieg refuses to surrender and moves up his deadline; the account ends with Doc and Piersall struggling to survive and the crew heading toward the reactor room.

Key Events

• Reactor Power Lost — The submarine loses its reactor and switches to auxiliary power. Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• Water Enters the Submarine — The damaged submarine begins taking on water and can no longer use stealth mode. Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• Florida Remains Nearby — The Florida remains nearby while the Montana is unable to use stealth mode. Location: Near the USS Montana
• Deadline Moved Forward — Krieg refuses to surrender and moves up his deadline, leaving little time to respond. Characters: Commander Krieg Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• Doc and Piersall Struggle — Doc and Piersall struggle to survive as the crisis continues. Characters: Raymond 'Doc' Ellers, James Piersall Location: Aboard the USS Montana
• Crew Heads for Reactor Room — The crew heads toward the reactor room; the account ends without revealing the outcome. Location: Reactor room aboard the USS Montana

Story Breakdown

• Exercise Becomes Mutiny — The crew's simulated operations give way to Krieg's takeover of the Montana.
  • Stealth Procedures — The crew performs simulated evasive maneuvers and torpedo procedures.
  • Krieg Takes Command — Krieg seizes control of the submarine and announces his takeover.
• Missile Threat — Krieg's demand and threat make the submarine a national crisis.
  • Ransom Demand — Krieg demands one billion dollars and threatens Washington, D.C.
  • Armed Prototype — The Montana is described as a stealth prototype carrying 24 Trident ballistic missiles.
• Crisis Investigation — Officials search for the submarine and gather information about Krieg.
  • Missing Patrol Vessel — A NATO patrol vessel disappears, raising fears that the Montana destroyed it.
  • Krieg's Background — Investigators learn of his debt, career grievances, and drug treatment.
• Resistance Aboard — Doc and Piersall work against the hijackers from inside the submarine.
  • Piersall Joins Doc — Doc persuades Piersall to help him reach the communications room.
  • Trash Room Fire — The pair evade the crew and set a fire in the trash room.
• Navy Pursuit — The Navy's attempt to stop the Montana is constrained by Krieg's threats.
  • Florida's Failed Attack — The Florida fails to destroy the Montana.
  • Forces Stand Down — Krieg threatens to launch if another vessel approaches, and other forces stand down.
• Submarine Deteriorates — Damage and sabotage leave the Montana increasingly vulnerable.
  • Reactor Power Lost — The reactor is lost and auxiliary power takes over.
  • Flooding and Exposure — The Montana takes on water and cannot use stealth mode while the Florida remains nearby.
• Unresolved Final Crisis — Krieg tightens the deadline as the crew faces an unresolved emergency.
  • Deadline Moved Up — Krieg refuses to surrender and advances his deadline.
  • Reactor Room Approach — Doc and Piersall struggle to survive as the crew heads toward the reactor room; the outcome is not provided.

Directed by

Terrence O'Hara

Key Cast

• Jason Gedrick — Raymond 'Doc' Ellers
• Eric Roberts — Commander Krieg
• Corbin Bernsen
• Barry Bostwick
• Chris Spinelli — Crew Member Damon