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)