''The Rift'', also known as ''Endless Descent'', is a 1990 film directed by

Juan Piquer Simón Juan Piquer Simón (16 February, 1935 – 8 January, 2011) was a Spanish film director best known for directing two cult classic horror film, horror exploitation film, exploitation films, ''Pieces (1982 film), Pieces'' (1982) and ''Slugs (1988 f ...

and starring R. Lee Ermey. The story involves a submarine rescue that goes awry. It is one of many underwater-themed movies released around 1990, including ''

The Abyss ''The Abyss'' is a 1989 American science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron and starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn. When an American submarine sinks in the Caribbean, a US search and recovery team ...

'', ''

Leviathan Leviathan (; he, לִוְיָתָן, ) is a sea serpent noted in theology and mythology. It is referenced in several books of the Hebrew Bible, including Psalms, the Book of Job, the Book of Isaiah, the Book of Amos, and, according to some ...

'', ''

DeepStar Six ''DeepStar Six '' (released in the Philippines as ''Alien from the Deep'') is a 1989 American science-fiction horror film about the struggles of the crew of an underwater military outpost to defend their base against the attacks of a sea monster ...

'', ''

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'', ‘’

Hunt for Red October ''The Hunt for Red October'' is the debut novel by American author Tom Clancy, first published on October 1, 1984, by the Naval Institute Press. It depicts Soviet Union, Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius as he seemingly goes rogue with his ...

’’ and ''

Lords of the Deep ''Lords of the Deep'' is a 1989 American science-fiction horror film co-produced by Roger Corman, about an underwater colony being attacked by alien life forms. Actors included Bradford Dillman and Priscilla Barnes. It was one of several under ...

''.

Synopsis

An experimental submarine, the "Siren II", with an experienced NATO crew is sent to find out what happened to the missing "Siren I". The designer of the sub blames the Contek corporation's modifications to his original design. The Siren II is captained by experienced officer Captain Randolph Phillips. The Siren II traces the Siren I's black box to an underwater rift. They are surrounded by a toxic weed, although an on-board scientist says plant life at this depth is impossible. The Siren II escapes the weed by reversing the polarity of the hull, although some of the weed gets into the sub. Later, they surface in a cave system where they discover that Contek has been engaged in illegal genetic engineering experiments that have produced a variety of mutant creatures.

Cast

Jack Scalia Jack Scalia (born November 10, 1950) is an American actor. He has had many roles in television series (both as a regular and as a guest-star), television movies, and feature films. He is perhaps best known for his role as Chris Stamp on ''All My ...

as Wick Hayes * R. Lee Ermey as Capt. Randall Phillips *

Ray Wise Raymond Herbert Wise (born August 20, 1947) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Leland Palmer in ''Twin Peaks'' (1990–1991, 2017) and its prequel film '' Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me'' (1992), Vice President Hal Gardner i ...

as H. Robbins *

Deborah Adair Deborah Adair (born Deborah Adair Miller) is an American television actress, primarily known for her roles in soap operas. Early life Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Adair attended the University of Washington, where she earned a degree in adv ...

as Lt. Nina Crowley * John Toles Bey as Joe "Skeets" Kane *

Ely Pouget Elizabeth "Ely" Pouget (, born August 30, 1961) is an American actress and former model. After studying film at the University of Miami, Pouget's first role came in 1985 when she played Rosella Maestres on the television series ''Miami Vice''. ...

as Ana Rivera * Emilio Linder as Philippe Huppert * Tony Isbert as Roger Fleming * Álvaro Labra as Dr. Carlo Camerini * Luis Lorenzo as Francisco Grau *

Frank Braña Frank Braña (born Francisco Braña Pérez; 24 February 1934 – 13 February 2012) was a Spanish character actor. Biography He was born Francisco Braña Pérez in Pola de Allande, Asturias, Spain on 24 February 1934. Also credited as Frank Bla ...

as H. Mueller * Pocholo Martínez-Bordiú as Sven Holst (as J. Martinez Bordiu) *

Edmund Purdom Edmund Anthony Cutlar Purdom (19 December 19241 January 2009) was an English actor, voice artist, and director. He worked first on stage in Britain, performing various works by Shakespeare, then in America on Broadway and in Hollywood, and event ...

as CEO Steensland *

Garrick Hagon Garrick Hagon (; born September 27, 1939) is a British-Canadian actor in film, stage, television and radio, known for his role as Biggs Darklighter in '' Star Wars: A New Hope''. His many films include ''Batman'', ''Spy Game'', ''Me and Orson ...

as Barton (as Garick Hagon) * James Aubrey as Contek 1 * Derrick Vopelka as Contek 2 * Jed Downey as Tony Garner (Man on Tapes)

Reception

''The Rift'' is considered a "B" movie. Reviewers noted the lack of originality in its plot, but praised the film for providing action-packed entertainment on a limited budget. Moria gave the picture one (out of a possible five) stars: "R. Lee Ermey gives a likeable performance, but the script is unfocused; the motives of the conglomerate funding the expedition are unclear; and the climax is unsatisfying." Brandon's Cult Movie Reviews called the film a "decent" one. Creature Feature gave the movie two (out of a possible five) stars, finding it to be "an ineffective ''

Aliens Alien primarily refers to: * Alien (law), a person in a country who is not a national of that country ** Enemy alien, the above in times of war * Extraterrestrial life, life which does not originate from Earth ** Specifically, intelligent extrate ...

'' knock-off."

Den of Geek ''Den of Geek'' is a US and UK-based website covering entertainment with a focus on pop culture Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gan ...

found the picture to be "entertaining." Movie historian

Leonard Maltin Leonard Michael Maltin (born December 18, 1950) is an American film critic and film historian, as well as an author of several mainstream books on cinema, focusing on nostalgic, celebratory narratives. He is perhaps best known for his book of fil ...

declared the film a "BOMB", stating that "...Anybody who sticks around for the climax ought to be decorated for their trouble...As usual, R. Lee Ermey acts circles around most of his co-stars; but, ultimately, even he cannot sell this bill of goods."

Home Release

The film was released on Region 1

Blu-ray The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released on June 20, 2006 worldwide. It is designed to supersede the DVD format, and capable of sto ...

in 2016.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rift 1990 films 1990 science fiction films 1990s English-language films English-language Spanish films Films scored by Joel Goldsmith Films directed by Juan Piquer Simon Films shot in Madrid Science fiction submarine films Spanish science fiction films American science fiction films 1990s American films 1990s Spanish films