Jason Robards

as Admiral James Sandecker

Richard Jordan

as Dirk Pitt

David Selby

as Dr. Gene Seagram

Anne Archer

as Dana Archibald

Alec Guinness

as John Bigalow

Bo Brundin

as Captain Prevlov

M. Emmet Walsh

as Master Chief Vinnie Walker

J.D. Cannon

as Captain Joe Burke

Norman Bartold

as Admiral Kemper

Elya Baskin

as Marganin

Dirk Blocker

as Merker

Robert Broyles

as Willis

Paul Carr

as CIA Director Nicholson

Michael C. Gwynne

as Bohannon

Harvey Lewis

as Kiel

Charles Macaulay

as General Dale Busby

Stewart Moss

as Koplin

Michael Pataki

as Munk

Marvin Silbersher

as Soviet Ambassador Antonov

Mark L. Taylor

as Spence

Maurice Kowalewski

as Dr. Silverstein

Nancy Nevinson

as Sarah Martindale

Sander Vanocur

as Commentator

Michael Ensign

as Lieutenant Northacker

Hilly Hicks

as Woodson

Clive Cussler

as Bearded Reporter (uncredited)