Overrated and overhyped

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Spoiler Alert - Ending Revealed This film is full of suspense, but has several points that are very unrealistic.1) It is very unrealistic that any drug would have a beneficial reaction to another toxin. It makes an interesting plot, but it's a very unrealistic scenario. Equavil, the fictional drug in question, is described to treat "reactive depression". Therefore the presumed effect it would have would be to increase anxiety, the reaction that the crew was already having to the toxin in the paint. That makes the story of Equavil neutralizing the toxin totally implausible.2) The crew exited the submarine Montana North of the Arctic Circle, possibly even North of 70 degrees latitude. The water temperature at that latitude would be unbearably cold. The crew would not survive long enough for more helicopters to get to them, except those in the rafts. But as can be viewed in the film, most of the crew were not in rafts, but in the water.3) What was the purpose of Capt. Allard Renslow jumping out of the helicopter into the water? He could not possibly help any of the crew in the water, once he was in the water himself, especially water as cold as it would be North of the Arctic Circle. Renslow jumping into the water had a dramatic effect to rejoin with Van Meer. Nevertheless, there was no way Renslow would be any benefit to Van Meer or any of the other crew in the water.

I saw this film when it first ran. I was amazed at the quality of the script and the acting especially since this was a "made for TV" movie. Such films suffer generally from a low budget and more rigid timetable for production. Robert Conrad played a character in this film that was a complete departure from his previous "macho" personas. In this film he is the protagonist, but a man with many weaknesses. His weakness becomes a strength when the medication he is taking keeps him from becoming paranoid and psychotic like those around him who are overcome with a mind altering intoxication caused by a chemical in paint used on the ship. As the men around him begin planning to use a nuclear device, he, as the only sane one, has to stop them.This film is gripping and very well directed. It could have been a very successful Indy film. I join all others when I say I wish it were on DVD.

Yes, it is a bit cheesy. But it's suspenseful and entertaining, and one of my favorites; there are some excellent actors in the film, and they do a commendable job given the limitations of plot and characters. It's interesting to see David Soul in a 'bad guy' role; I thought he was quite believable--and rather chilling--as the ever-more-paranoid CO. Robert Conrad is a long-time favorite--I think he brings his character to life very well; and Sam Waterston has been star quality in everything of his I've watched--movies or TV. I watch this movie every so often but our tape (a VHS TV copy I got) is such poor quality it's difficult to fully enjoy it. This is a movie I think they should put out on DVD; maybe it wouldn't be universally sought after, but I'm sure there are lots of people like me out there who like this sort of film so there WOULD be a market for a DVD version. I'll keep hoping!

"The Fifth Missile" is the story of a ballistic missile submarine that has been re-painted hastily, and as a result, its crew suffers from a toxic-induced neurosis. As a low-budget, made for TV movie, "The Fifth Missile" is reasonably interesting, and understandably cheesy. What saves "The Fifth Missile" from complete mediocrity is its all-star cast, which among others includes Robert Conrad, Richard Roundtree, and Sam Waterston.The acting is top-notch, despite the limitations of plot, story, and budget. "The Fifth Missile" and its expressions of neurosis are particularly interesting, especially since the crew's reaction to wet, blue paint are similar to Star Trek: The Original Series' "Naked Now" episode. But in the final analysis, "The Fifth Missile" seems to be a relatively good effort on the part of the directors. Best if watched with an open mind.