MovieChat Forums > Ice Station Zebra (1968) Discussion > Did you ever notice...

Did you ever notice...

posted 10 years ago by ae36
6 replies | jump to latest

So I'm watching the movie the other day and it occurred to me that the orientation in the control room seemed odd--

Using the control room periscope from the movie as a point of reference:

In almost every sub movie I can think of, the aft portion of the sub would be to the right of the periscope, while moving left would take one forward.

In "Zebra", the forward part of the sub is directly in front of the periscope, and the aft portion behind it.

Thinking about it, it just seems odd. Can anyone think of a sub movie that was shot with this orientation?

AE36

[–] thinkmcfly16 9 years ago

Not sure what this basis is derived from. Submarine periscopes rotate through 360 degrees, and are only oriented to the hull by the azimuth ring on the scope base that gives a relative bearing reading. All modern boats have two periscopes, some are arranged fore and aft, and some are side by side.

In short, submarine control rooms are arranged by the hull dictates.

[–] ae36 9 years ago

I'm not talking about in reality, but in movies.

In "Zebra", we see an unusual orientation/perspective then what's usual in a submarine movie while in the control room.

Take the chart table in the control room as an orientation fix.

In the film, the forward part of the sub is in front of it, the aft section directly behind it.

Now in almost all other sub movies that I can remember, the orientation in the control room is 90 degrees different.

In other words, from the perspective of the viewer, he or she would either be looking forward or aft in most sub movies.

In this one, the viewer (while in the control room) is facing starboard for the most part (camera position).

AE36

[–] Corky666 8 years ago

No, because you're a pretentious dipsh//it who just here trying to sound smarter than everyone else. Go away troll

[–] chrisamon 8 years ago

No, because you're a pretentious dipsh//it who just here trying to sound smarter than everyone else. Go away troll

Intelligence and education scares the ignorant, ehhh???

Sometimes you gotta wonder...... 

[–] Corky666 8 years ago

I had to use intelligence and education because I couldn't think of another way to get my point across

[–] chrisamon 8 years ago

No, because you're a pretentious dipsh//it who just here trying to sound smarter than everyone else. Go away troll

Oh. Now I understand.... 

Sometimes you gotta wonder...... 