Why was the flag of Iceland on Captain Ramsey's desk?
At 34:45 into Crimson Tide, Captain Ramsey (Hackman) is sitting at his desk talking to Commander Hunter (Washington).
On his desk a small U.S.flag is displayed with what looks like the Icelandic flag.
Is there any explanation for why the Captain would be displaying another nation's flag?
Best Answer
It is a momento of some prior posting or joint exercise from Captain Ramsey's past.
US military personnel tend to collect momentos during their service, often gifts they receive when they depart certain commands or units. These kinds of things can be plaques, framed photographs, models of military equipment, etc. Sometimes for joint exercises including multiple countries, participating commanders will will get engraved pedestals with the flags of participating nations in them. The flags on the desk in this scene (Iceland, USA, and possibly Italy--another NATO country) look like they may be a part of something like that. Many times, servicemen who do not mind doing a lot of dusting will keep these momentos to decorate their new offices or living quarters. That's what you're looking at on Captain Ramsey's desk--a momento from some prior posting or exercise that was either in Iceland or included Icelandic (and possibly Italian) joint partners. There is no official purpose for any foreign flag--or even the US flag--on the desk in a US Navy captain’s quarters.
It is worth noting that there is a fourth and fifth flag visible on the desk only in the close-ups of Hackman that disappear in the wider shots--a continuity error. One is a green flag with an unidentified seal on it--probably not a national flag. The other might be Norway, but it is difficult to be certain.
Pictures about "Why was the flag of Iceland on Captain Ramsey's desk?"
What is the story behind the flag of Iceland?
For the Icelandic people the flag's colouring represents a vision of their country's landscape. The colours stand for 3 of the elements that make up the island. Red is the fire produced by the island's volcanoes, white recalls the ice and snow that covers Iceland, and the blue is for the mountains of the island.What is the flag of Iceland?
national flag consisting of a blue field incorporating a white-bordered red cross. The width-to-length ratio of the flag is 18 to 25. In the early 20th century the sanction of the king of Denmark was sought for a local Icelandic flag.Who made Iceland flag?
The Icelandic flag was officially adopted on 17 June 1944, when the country gained its independence from Denmark. It was designed by Matthias Thordarson. The colours have no official symbolism but one popular modern interpretation is that they represent the three elements that created the island: fire, ice and water.Flags in 50 Places: The history of the ice flag
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