The Cold War submarine thriller keeps most of its tension below the waves – but it surfaced to film across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, and famously used a real US Navy submarine to bring its underwater duel to life.
Where was The Hunt for Red October filmed?
The Hunt for Red October was filmed around the Pacific Northwest – Port Angeles and Alaska – and in California, using real naval vessels.
Every Hunt for Red October location, explained
1
The Pacific Northwest
Surface and dockside scenes used Port Angeles, Washington, and other Pacific coast locations.
2
Alaska – the opening
The film’s opening used the waters around Valdez, Alaska.
3
A real submarine
The production used real US Navy submarines, including the USS Blueback, to ground its underwater world.
4
California – the naval scenes
Naval and studio work used San Pedro and Southern California.
Planning a visit
The USS Blueback, used in the film, is now a museum submarine open to visitors in Portland, Oregon – the closest you can come to stepping aboard the Red October’s world.
Hunt for Red October Fun Facts
1
A real submarine starred The production used genuine US Navy submarines, including the USS Blueback.
2
Connery as a Soviet captain Sean Connery played the Soviet submarine commander, complete with his Scottish accent.
3
Based on Tom Clancy The film adapts Tom Clancy’s debut novel, the first Jack Ryan story.
4
A Cold War tick-tock The film’s tense cat-and-mouse plot became a genre benchmark.
5
The Blueback is a museum The submarine used in the film is now open to visitors in Portland, Oregon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did they use a real submarine?
Yes – the production used genuine US Navy submarines, including the USS Blueback.
Where were the surface scenes filmed?
Around the Pacific Northwest, including Port Angeles, Washington, and Alaska.
Can you visit anything from the film?
Yes – the USS Blueback is now a museum submarine in Portland, Oregon.
