K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)

When Russia's first nuclear submarine malfunctions on its maiden voyage, the crew must race to save the ship and prevent a nuclear disaster.

Director:

Kathryn Bigelow

Writers:

Louis Nowra (story), Christopher Kyle (screenplay)

Stars:

Sam Spruell, Peter Stebbings, Christian Camargo

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sam Spruell	...	Dmitri
Peter Stebbings	...	Kuryshev
Christian Camargo	...	Pavel
Roman Podhora	...	Lapinsh
Sam Redford	...	Vasily
Steve Nicolson	...	Demichev
Liam Neeson	...	Capt. Mikhail Polenin
Ravil Isyanov	...	Suslov
Tim Woodward	...	Partonov
Lex Shrapnel	...	Kornilov
Shaun Benson	...	Leonid
Kris Holden-Ried	...	Anton (as Kristen Holden-Ried)
Dmitry Chepovetsky	...	Sergei
Christopher Redman	...	Kiklidze
Tygh Runyan	...	Maxim

Storyline

The story of USSR's first nuclear ballistic submarine, which suffered a malfunction in its nuclear reactor on its maiden voyage in the North Atlantic in 1961. The submarine's crew, led by the unyielding Captain Alexi Vostrikov, races against time to prevent a Chernobyl-like nuclear disaster which threatens not only the lives of his crew, but has the potential to ignite a world war between the super powers.

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Plot Keywords:

submarine | russia | nuclear submarine | nuclear reactor | cold war | 

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Taglines:

Fate has found its hero.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Filmax [es] OFFICIAL SITE

Country:

UK Germany USA Canada

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

19 July 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

K*19: The Widowmaker

Filming Locations:

Gimli, Manitoba, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$361,731 (Japan) (20 December 2002)

Gross:

$4,112,806 (Japan) (17 January 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Light Production, IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH & Co. 2. Produktions KG, Intermedia Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Natalia Vintilova has the only female speaking role in the whole movie.

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Goofs

When the submarine has broken through the ice, as well as in the other outdoor scenes, the sun is high in the sky. This close to the North Pole, that indicates that it occurs in summer. However, in the simultaneous scenes from the launching and from the High Command inside Russia, it's snowing, indicating winter. If it was winter, there would be constant darkness where the submarine operated.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Capt. Mikhail Polenin: All compartments: report readiness!

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Connections

Referenced in Beautiful Boxer (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Selections from 'Voices of Light'"
("Victory At Orleans", "Interrogation", "Abjuration", "Relapse", "Karitas", "The Final Walk")
Composed by Richard Einhorn

User Reviews

One of the best submarine films of all time

All right this is not the most historically accurate film of all time. That is true. But there are a good number of historical accuracies not to mention tremendous suspense in this great film. Harrison Ford plays Alexi Vostokov a controversial Russian Submarine captain in the 1960's who is put in charge of Russia's first nuclear sub. There is a tremendous amount of controversy especially considering the fact that the previous captain played by Liam Neeson is now the second in charge.

The movie is extremely suspenseful. There are a lot of thrills a lot of tense moments with the sub and with the people on the sub. The special effects in the move were phenomenal but unlike many movies today the special effects do not attempt to make up for the lack of a bad script or acting job. Some of the movie was not so accurate but there is so much that is.

Harrison Ford was not a very good captain and in a ship they do not put the previous captain second in command at least in America because of the attachment you have to the leader. I know this because my father was in the navy and telling me all of this. The only thing that surprised me was that the movie did so bad at the box office. This had a great cast a lot of suspense. I can't figure out why people didn't watch it but I do have an idea.

This movie was released the same week that the Toby Keith song we'll put out boot up you're a%^ it's the American way came out. Since the Russians were once considered the sworn enemies of America not to mention most of the free world I don't think in this time of ultra-patriotism that people were too willing to watch it. I live in one of the most conservative areas in the country. A lot f what I heard as well was that this movie was too intense despite the PG-13 rating.

This was an all around great movie. This is one of Harrison Ford's best roles and him and Liam Neeson were stiffed at the Oscars in 2003. They both did that good. If anyone tells you this is a stupid movie don't listen to them. This is an entirely too underrated movie that will keep you on the edge of you seat for over two hours. This is a very well done movie Kathryn Bigelow the director did a great job.