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 | soviet union | submarine | nuclear submarine | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Executive Officer Mikhail Polenin is based on the historical Soviet Naval officer Vasili Arkhipov, who served as Deputy Commander and Executive Officer of K-19 during its 1961 nuclear accident. Arkhipov would later serve on the Soviet Submarine B-59 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and reportedly refused to concur with the launch of a nuclear torpedo against an American destroyer, thus almost certainly preventing the outbreak of World War III. Arkhipov would go on to hold several submarine command postings and was a submarine squadron commander before promotion to Rear Admiral in 1975. He was made a Vice Admiral in 1981, retiring a few years later, and died in 1998.

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Goofs

The sound the camera makes when the group shot of the crew is taken on the ice is that of a fixed shutter, but the camera being used (either a Leica or a Russian copy) would have had a focal-plane shutter.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

References The Hunt for Red October (1990)

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Soundtracks

Mambo
Written by Gerhard Trede

User Reviews

Good and intriguing film about an atomic submarine, though a bit monotonous and overlong

The movie concerns a Russian atomic sub and the complications caused for a nuclear scape, as many sailors will have to sacrifice themselves to save life of crew members.

Film runtime is overlong , the flick is slow-moving and a little bit boring . Some minutes are superfluous , it has half hour of excess, however the movie is enough decent and agreeable.

The yarn is interesting and allegedly based on real deeds. There is suspense , thriller and action, though the scenario is completely set into the claustrophobic submarine.

Harrison Ford performance as a sub commander is excellent, he hands perfectly the role , Ford has gotten the best character as film producer . Liam Neeson acting as the contender official is first-rate. Facing off between two commanders is likeness to Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin in the film ¨The hunt for Red October¨.

Kathryn Bigelow direction is good and cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth is atmospheric . Klaus Badelt music is spectacular and adjusted to a thrilling film.

The movie will appeal to emotions enthusiastic and action lovers. Rating 6,5/10, above average

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

Gross USA:

$35,168,966

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$65,716,126

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