K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)

Director:

Kathryn Bigelow

Writers (WGA):

Louis Nowra (story)
Christopher Kyle (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 July 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Thriller

Tagline:

Fate has found its hero.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Submarine | Nuclear Submarine | Russia | Nuclear Reactor | Cold War

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

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
Kristen Holden-Ried	...	Anton
Dmitry Chepovetsky	...	Sergei
Christopher Redman	...	Kiklidze
Tygh Runyan	...	Maxim

Also Known As:

K*19: The Widowmaker (International: English title) (poster title) (USA) (poster title)
K-19 - Showdown in der Tiefe (Germany)
K-19: Terreur sous la mer (Canada: French title)
K19: The Widowmaker (International: English title) (alternative spelling)
The Widowmaker (International: English title) (informal short title)
k-19 (International: English title) (informal short title)
k19 (International: English title) (informal short title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images.

Runtime:

138 min

Country:

UK | Germany | USA | Canada

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Brazil:12 | Iceland:12 | Malaysia:U | Portugal:M/12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #38941) | South Korea:12 | New Zealand:M | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:PG | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12A

Filming Locations:

Gimli, Manitoba, Canada

Company:

First Light Production

Trivia:

The submarine that ties up along side K-19 and rescues the crew appears to be an Oberon Class (British Royal Navy class name, may differ elsewhere) diesel submarine with the sonar dome near the bow removed.

Goofs:

Continuity: Close-ups on some control consoles show new paint over layers that have been severely chipped, not something one would find on a new boat.

Quotes:

Vadim Radtchenko: Hiroshima. 1.4 megatons.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in L.A. Twister (2004)

Soundtrack:

Kalinka

Just proves critics know nothing about good film making

Forget the critics, forget about the whiney Russian sailors: this film is worth watching. This just goes to show how idiotic the general viewing public has become. Critics have become nothing but a bunch of "good review" whores who work for commission and free gifts. It just goes to show idiotic they are, embracing schlock like Spider-man but putting down audacity like this film. For shame. With a good cast, excellent tension and Harrison Ford, they still want more action and silly exposition.

Maybe it is the subject matter, or maybe it's the fact Harrison Ford isn't killing anyone and trying to act sexy, but I cannot understand why anyone would put this film down. I don't think this film is detrimental to the reputations to the Russian sailors, who were portrayed with gusto and bravado not exhibited in most submarine films. Also, the claustrophobic nature of the film must have been difficult to film, considering the close quarters the characters had to work with. Overall, the film probably could have used some fine tuning, but the way it is, it is still quite a film to watch. 7.2/10