Down Periscope (1996) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Maverick Navy Lieutenant Commander Tom Dodge will never be a textbook officer, but he's a brilliant seaman who's always wanted to command a nuclear submarine — he's been given one last chance to clean up his record. Unfortunately, Admiral Graham, his nemesis, would rather sink the fleet than give Dodge his own boat. So, Graham stacks the deck against him and assigns Dodge to the Stingray, a diesel-powered WW2 submarine that can barely keep afloat. To make matters worse, Dodge's crew is a collection of maladjusted, mistake-prone… Sign up for the full guide
Rated PG-13 • 1996 • 1h 32m
Down Periscope is a 1996 naval comedy about a maverick commander, Tom Dodge, given a misfit crew and a decrepit submarine for a critical war game. The film earned its PG-13 rating primarily for language, which includes one use of the f-word and frequent use of other profanities like "shit" and "asshole." Parents should also be aware of consistent sexual innuendo, centered on a character's genital tattoo, and some comedic slapstick… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Down Periscope appropriate for kids?
Down Periscope is a 1996 naval comedy about a maverick commander, Tom Dodge, given a misfit crew and a decrepit submarine for a critical war game. The film earned its PG-13 rating primarily for language, which includes one use of the f-word and frequent use of other profanities… Read more — free account
Content severity in Down Periscope
What happens in Down Periscope, moment by moment
- 0:02 💬 Language 7/10
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- 0:15 ♥ Sex & Nudity 4/10
Sex and nudity in Down Periscope
Contains moderate sexual innuendo and suggestive references. The main running gag involves Commander Dodge having a tattoo on his penis that reads "Welcome Aboard," which is frequently discussed. In one scene, Dodge mistakes a female officer, Lt. Lake, for a stripper. Due to a uniform mix-up, Lake's outfit is tight-fitting, showing cleavage and part of her bra in several scenes. There is no nudity or sexual activity.
Violence and gore in Down Periscope
Violence is moderate and played for comedic effect. There is slapstick violence, such as a character being repeatedly electrocuted in a running gag. Scenes of submarine peril involve the vessel shaking, leaking, and nearly colliding with other ships, but these are handled with suspenseful humor rather than genuine terror. A character is comically forced to "walk the plank" into a fishing net. The film culminates in a war game where a target ship is blown up with torpedoes, resulting in large but non-lethal…
Read more — free accountLanguage in Down Periscope
Language is the primary reason for the PG-13 rating. There is one use of the f-word near the beginning of the film. Other profanity is frequent, including multiple uses of "shit," "hell," "damn," "asshole," "son of a bitch," and single uses of "bastard," "dick," and the outdated derogatory term "retard."
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Down Periscope
Substance use is mild. The cook, Buckman, is almost always seen with an unlit or lit cigar in his mouth throughout the film. Other characters are occasionally seen smoking cigarettes. It is mentioned that Commander Dodge got his infamous tattoo years ago while intoxicated, but this event is not depicted on screen.
Mature themes in Down Periscope
Thematic content is generally light, focusing on themes of teamwork, leadership, and embracing individuality. The crew is composed of misfits who learn to work together to overcome the odds. A subplot involves an attempted mutiny, but it is quickly and comically resolved. The film also lightly touches on sexism in the military, as Lt. Lake is the first woman assigned to a submarine in a trial program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Down Periscope appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Down Periscope is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Down Periscope is a 1996 naval comedy about a maverick commander, Tom Dodge, given a misfit crew and a decrepit submarine for a critical war game. The film earned its PG-13 rating primarily for language, which includes…
What age rating does Down Periscope have?
Down Periscope is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Down Periscope about?
Down Periscope is a 1996 naval comedy about a maverick commander, Tom Dodge, given a misfit crew and a decrepit submarine for a critical war game. The film earned its PG-13 rating primarily for language, which includes one use of the f-word and frequent use of other profanities like "shit" and "asshole." Parents…
Is there sex or nudity in Down Periscope?
Contains moderate sexual innuendo and suggestive references. The main running gag involves Commander Dodge having a tattoo on his penis that reads "Welcome Aboard," which is frequently discussed. In one scene, Dodge mistakes a female officer, Lt. Lake, for a…
How violent is Down Periscope?
Violence is moderate and played for comedic effect. There is slapstick violence, such as a character being repeatedly electrocuted in a running gag. Scenes of submarine peril involve the vessel shaking, leaking, and nearly colliding with other ships, but…
Is the language in Down Periscope appropriate for kids?
Language is the primary reason for the PG-13 rating. There is one use of the f-word near the beginning of the film. Other profanity is frequent, including multiple uses of "shit," "hell," "damn," "asshole," "son of a bitch," and single uses of "bastard,"…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Down Periscope?
Substance use is mild. The cook, Buckman, is almost always seen with an unlit or lit cigar in his mouth throughout the film. Other characters are occasionally seen smoking cigarettes. It is mentioned that Commander Dodge got his infamous tattoo years ago…
What mature themes appear in Down Periscope?
Thematic content is generally light, focusing on themes of teamwork, leadership, and embracing individuality. The crew is composed of misfits who learn to work together to overcome the odds. A subplot involves an attempted mutiny, but it is quickly and…
How long is Down Periscope?
Down Periscope runs 92 minutes, directed by David S. Ward, released in 1996.
Where can I read the full Down Periscope parent guide?
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