Product Details

• Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Winstar
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1572521635
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,728 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Situation Critical is the true story of the disaster that occurred aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal, off the coast of North Vietnam. Witness the events as they unfold in real time, as the actual footage from TV cameras aboard the ship and voice recordings from the ship's PA system are used.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shows the extreme peril of working on a aircraft carrier., March 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Situation Critical: Uss Forrest [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I served in the U.S. Navy from 1987 until 1993, one of the first things you learn in boot camp is firefighting, and one of the training tools used is a video of July 29, 1967 onboard the USS Forrestal. On this day an accidental release of a rocket on an armed flight deck combined with early "cook-off" of some of the bombs on planes conspired to make what could have been a bad fire a Hell on Earth instead. I saw the complete actual footage of the event in boot camp, along with everyone I told I was getting stationed aboard Forrestal in the Spring of 1991. They all refered to her as the "Forrestfire", or "Zippo" after the lighter with the same name. At the time it was no big deal and almost comical to a point to hear such comparison's. After I arrived aboard I quickly learned how dangerous it is to work on a carrier and how terrifying and sad this event was. I watched "USS Forrestal--Situation Critical" on the Discovery Channel when it was first released and could not wait until I could get a copy on video. The producers did credit to the disaster, and all those who survived that day, 134 did not and many others are still haunted by it to this day. I have talked to and met people who were there that day including a couple that are part of the video, they say the sme thing, "it is a good tribute". For those out there who went through boot camp as I did and saw the same video footage that is used in "Situation Critical" and made jokes about the ship's name will probably be changed after they see the heroic actions performed that day that are incorporated in this video. I was not even born when this tragidy occured, but through the tape I could feel some of the loss to the crew and family of Forrestal, I highly recommend it. END

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Example of the perils a Sailor faces at sea, April 11, 2002

By 

John K. Dickenson (VA Beach, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Situation Critical: Uss Forrest [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video will change anybodies mind who believes a US Navy Sailor's job at sea is not filled with day-to-day peril even during peacetime. This movie will bring to focus what can happen to a typical Naval ship that is made of steel with high voltage electricy running throughout, floating on highly conductive water carrying several hundred thousand gallons of fuel and tons of high explosives. It is a deadly mix which this movie will bring an appreciation for.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Former "brownshoe" from Va-15 Valions, July 13, 2001

By 

Kevin Horkan "Firepole803" (Euclid, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Situation Critical: Uss Forrest [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I also served in the U.S. Navy -from 1977/1981- aboard the U.S.S. Independence and the U.S.S. Enterprise. As a firefighter upon leaving the service, I contacted the U.S. Navy recruiter in my area to get a copy of the film "Trial by Fire", shown to all aviation recruits. I was delighted to see this special on Discovery, though I wish they would have kept the original title. A truly awesome and humbling experience to witness prior to embarking on an aircraft carrier, it is a tribute to the men who have fought and died to save their ship and protect their country. This film is not for the weak of heart or mind. The varying views from plat cameras and island cameras will take you where you may not want to go, but you will never forget it.