Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Kathryn Bigelow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, Joss Ackland, Peter Sarsgaard, Tim Woodward, George Anton, J.J. Field, Lex Shrapnel
Inspired by a true story that was kept secret until the fall of communism, K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER is a tale of ordinary men who sacrifice everything for their shipmates and their... more
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the first big Hollywood film to view the conflict through a Soviet periscope, casting Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson (with slight accents) as patriotic Russians. In...
the first big Hollywood film to view the conflict through a Soviet periscope, casting Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson (with slight accents) as patriotic Russians. In...
the first big Hollywood film to view the conflict through a Soviet periscope, casting Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson (with slight accents) as patriotic Russians. In 1961, as NATO deploys long-range nuclear attack submarines, the Kremlin forces the Russian Navy to follow suit, whether they're ready or not. Ford takes over from popular skipper Neeson in command of the eponymous submarine, riding the men hard through a missile test, and then coping with an escalating series of crises as a jerry-built reactor threatens to melt down (and perhaps start World War III). Though the political specifics are fresh, this has all the expected elements of a sub movie, citing everything from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and Das Boot to Crimson Tide and The Caine Mutiny as sailors bristle mutinously under a marine martinet. This, along with inept engineering and ideological interference, prompts disaster. Director Kathryn Bigelow, the most undervalued talent in Hollywood, is in her element with heroic men under pressure, and a terrific central stretch has comrades trying to fix the reactor even though they've been given the wrong protective gear and start coming down with radiation sickness as they work. Less successful is a superfluous epilogue that pulls the old Spielberg present-day-reunion-of-the-aged-survivors-at-a-gra vesite gambit. --Kim Newman
the first big Hollywood film to view the conflict through a Soviet periscope, casting Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson (with slight accents) as patriotic Russians. In 1961, as NATO deploys long-range nuclear attack submarines, the Kremlin forces the Russian Navy to follow suit, whether they're ready or not. Ford takes over from popular skipper Neeson in command of the eponymous submarine, riding the men hard through a missile test, and then coping with an escalating series of crises as a jerry-built reactor threatens to melt down (and perhaps start World War III). Though the political specifics are fresh, this has all the expected elements of a sub movie, citing everything from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and Das Boot to Crimson Tide and The Caine Mutiny as sailors bristle mutinously under a marine martinet. This, along with inept engineering and ideological interference, prompts disaster. Director Kathryn Bigelow, the most undervalued talent in Hollywood, is in her element with heroic men under pressure, and a terrific central stretch has comrades trying to fix the reactor even though they've been given the wrong protective gear and start coming down with radiation sickness as they work. Less successful is a superfluous epilogue that pulls the old Spielberg present-day-reunion-of-the-aged-survivors-at-a-gra vesite gambit. --Kim Newman
Advantages: Based on a true story, devastatingly addictive Disadvantages: Horribly depressing
Introduction
I usually stay well clear of anything that involves nuclear power or war when it comes to films. But sometimes I have to let my boyfriend choose what we watch and this time it was his turn. I got a book ready, not really expecting to want to watch the film; but surprisingly found it very addictive. The film is set in 1961 during the fight for world supremacy between the US and the Soviet Union over nuclear power. If you prefer comedy ... ...it is a very good film with some powerful performances from all involved - definitely recommended.
The director
Kathryn Bigelow is one of the few female directors to have hit Hollywood. She is an artist by trade and directed the music video for the New Order song Touched by the Hands of God.
The plot
The men on board the first Russian nuclear submarine K19 are preparing for a mission to test their nuclear weapons. Those in power decide that the ...
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Advantages: Fast paced, good performances from Ford & Neeson Disadvantages: Appears to end abruptly
Introduction
When the trailers for this film came out a couple of months ago, I must say that I was looking forward to it with much anticipation: one of my all-time favourite films is “The Hunt for Red October”, another excellent Russian submarine movie. (Coincidentally with a character latterly played by Harrison Ford – Jack Ryan, a role he assumed from Alec Baldwin).
Although the movie was released in the USA on 19 July, I’d not had the opportunity ... ...the cinema (Carmike, Morgantown, W.Va.) to be packed with Harrison Ford fans, but noted that the theatre was barely half-full. “Good,” I thought, “more room for me!”
The film is based on an actual event (aren’t they all?) in 1961, when JFK is the U.S. President and Nikita Khrushchev (Pron. CROOS-choff) is the Soviet Premier; a hastily-put-together nuclear submarine suffers a disaster in one of its reactors. But for the brave action of eight of its ...
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Advantages: Liam Neeson & Harrison Ford are superb, tension by the bucketload, fascinating viewing Disadvantages: A little bit too Hollywood at least once, the human tragedy angle seems a little stunted, a little US bias and probably not too accurate historically
...be my only criticism of K-19: The Widowmaker, because there is a very real human tragedy here for the Russian people and yet, it chooses to gloss over that in preference for what might have been, in other words, in favour of concentrating on American interests. Men died during this incident, but they are faceless crew-members in this movie rather than 'real' people.
Gripes aside, it offers everything else you'd expect or desire from a submarine ... ...fascinating all at once.
K-19: The Widowmaker may not rival the supreme master of the genre Das Boot, but there is more than enough tension, coupled with some superb performances and of course, the rather scary prospect of how close to global catastrophe we came to make it compelling viewing. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the two hours it runs for literally flew by...but it drops a star for a wishy-washy moment of pure "Hollywood" which I can't elaborate ...
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very helpful
26.10.2002
Underwater realism Review ofK-19: The Widowmaker (Wide Screen)by
C_C_Ryder
Advantages: Realism, i.e. story, characters, performances, underwater effects. Disadvantages: The actors' Russian accents
I was quite skeptical about Hollywood's ability to treat such a subject without distorting it or exaggerating it as they usually do. Perhaps the fact that K-19 is actually directed (very well) by a woman, Kathryn Bigelow, helped matters considerably. The accident which struck the Soviet nuclear sub in 1962 is portrayed generally accurately and fairly (in the view of its surviving crew, if you saw 'The True Story of K-19' on the History Channel last ... ...ill-fated boat and the dedication of the crew to repair a reactor leak at the cost of their own lives. A nuclear explosion in the Atlantic was, thus, averted but the heroes of the venture still suffered in the hands of their commanders even if officially nobody was found to blame apart from the 'system' (when there are too many to blame, then there's nobody to blame). More importantly, 'K-19' destroys the American grotesque myth according to which ...
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Advantages: almost real, Disadvantages: music too loud, bad accents
***Introduction***
K19 – The widowmaker is based on a true story that happened during the cold war period. It was widely assumed that a war between the two super powers was inevitable. Not only the United States had five times greater nuclear arsenal than the soviets, but also it had the capability to destroy most Russian cities including Moscow and Leningrad.
To neutralise this threat Soviet Union decided to build it’s first nuclear ballistic ... ...K19, the pride and joy of the Russian government and the flagship for the navy. What happened to K19 was kept a secret for 28 years, until the collapse of communism. The film is based on the life of Alexei Vostrikov, captain of K19, who sadly passed away before the film went into production. The film is directed by Katherine Bigelow (ex Mrs James Cameron).
***The Plot***
The film starts at the testing stage of the K19, although minor works are ...
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Actor(s): Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, Joss Ackland, Peter Sarsgaard, Tim Woodward, George Anton, J.J. Field, Lex Shrapnel
Director(s): Kathryn Bigelow
Genre: Action & Adventure
Classification: 12 years and over
Production Year: 2002
Running Time: 2 hours 12 minutes
Video Category: Feature Film
Plot: Based on real-life historical events, this is the story of the Russian submarine K-19. A leak occurs in the vessel's cooling system and the captain orders the crew to repair the damage exposing them to very high levels of radiation.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT; TECHNICOLOR DIST. SERVICES
Release date: 19/05/2003
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: PHE 8259
Barcode: 5014437825933
Screenwriter: William Broyles, Jr., Christopher Kyle, Louis Nowra
Composer: Klaus Badelt
Executive Producer: Christine Whitaker, Nigel Sinclair, Harrison Ford, Guy East, Moritz Borman
Director of Photography: Jeff Cronenweth
Music: Klaus Badelt, Geoff Zanelli
Producer: Edward S. Feldman, Joni Sighvatsson, Christine Whitaker, Kathryn Bigelow, Moritz Borman, Guy East
Costume Designer: Marit Allen
Languages
Main Language: English
Dubbed Language: French
Subtitle Language: Dutch, French
Hearing Impaired Language: English
DVD Description
Inspired by a true story that was kept secret until the fall of communism, K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER is a tale of ordinary men who sacrifice everything for their shipmates and their country. In 1961, at the height of the Cold War, an ill-prepared Russian nuclear missile submarine embarks on its maiden voyage with near-disastrous consequences. When the sub's nuclear reactor malfunctions, Captain Alexei Vostrikov (Harrison Ford) makes some decisions that are unpopular with the crew. Tensions mount as radiation levels rise throughout the submarine and there is no respite in sight. If the sub explodes, it may cause an international incident as it may be mistaken as an attack on a nearby NATO base and an American Navy destroyer that is in the area. If the sub dives deep below the surface, perhaps the malfunction can be fixed, but the loss of some lives is then inevitable. The Executive Officer, Mikhail Polenin (Liam Neeson), who formerly commanded the sub, can placate the crew, but must decide where his own loyalties lie. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (BLUE STEEL, POINT BREAK), this thriller examines the Cold War from the Russian perspective, an uncommon point of view in American films.
Technical information
Special Features: Commentary By Director Kathryn Bigelow And Cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth, Making Of K19 The Widowmaker, 3 Featurettes, Theatrical Trailer
Aspect Ratio: 2.35 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English French
Professional reviews
Review: "...[Neeson is] fierce and gripping..." (Box Office, p.152, 01/09/2002)
"...K-19 is a movie of hurtling technical prowess..." (Entertainment Weekly, p.42, 26/07/2002)
"...It is rare and stirring to see a Hollywood epic told from a Russian perspective....Bigelow invests this mean machine of a movie with a beating heart..." (Rolling Stone, p.85, 08/08/2002)
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