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:

Harrison Ford, Sam Spruell, Peter Stebbings

1 win & 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:

radiation sickness | radioactive contamination | submarine | nuclear submarine | cancer | 

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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

Country:

UK Germany Canada USA

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 USA:

$12,778,459, 21 July 2002, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$35,168,966

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,547,160

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:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both the rescue sub, and the American destroyer, were former Canadian warships. The American destroyer was actually an 'Improved Restigouche' Class Canadian destroyer escort, which was decommissioned in the mid-90s. This class did not have a flight deck for a helicopter. Both ships used were stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, home of the Canadian Atlantic fleet. Halifax was used in shots of the K-19 departing for sea. In the background of that shot, Canadian warships can be seen.

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Goofs

The white building occupied by the Soviet Navy high command, whose members discuss Captain Vostrikov's intentions, has a sign on the left side of the entrance that says (in Russian) "Cultural Center of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the name of M. V. Frunze". The Russian Federation was created in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Hence the designation would definitely not appear on any official Soviet building (or anywhere else) prior to the last days of 1991. Michael V. Frunze was a highly respected officer during the Russian Revolution who is still honored in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Featured in Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Episode #9.156 (2002)

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Soundtracks

L'Internationale
Written by Adolph Pierre Degeyter & Eugène Pottier (as Eugene Pottier)
Arranged by Blake Neely

User Reviews

Memorable For The Radiation Scenes

This was a pretty solid supposed true story of a Russian submarine and its captains during the early 1960s. It's memorable, story-wise, for the radiation victims among the crew members. There are some really dramatic scenes involving that horrific event. Otherwise, it's a story of the sub's problems and the conflict between two captains.

The story starts slowly so you have to stick with it as it gets better and better as it goes on and rewarding enough to make you glad you hung in there for the whole 137 minutes.

Profanity is minor and the Russian accents are handled well by the lead actors, led by Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson and Peter Sarsgaard.

It's not a great film, but it's good and interesting enough to recommend a rental, but not something I'd watch numerous times. Those radiation scenes would be a little too grim to watch numerous times.