K-19: The Widowmaker (Wide Screen) > Reviews

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

Advantages: A good film
Disadvantages: gets a bit boring

K19 is based around a true story about the first russian nuclear submarine and how it suffers a leak in the nuclear reactor which threatens the crew and the world. The story was well adpated and you get the idea what happened when this incident happened. Location filming in russia and out in the ocean was brilliant and added to the authenticness of the film. The acting by Harrison Ford was brilliant. His russian accent was good and he performed a ... Read review

Advantages: Great Story
Disadvantages: Dodgy voices

I hadn't heard of this film before my girfriend bought the DVD. To be honest she only bought it because it had Harrisson Ford in it but we are both glad she did. This film is a story about the old Russian government trying to get one over the USA by rushing through its new nuclear sub. Against their captains advice they send the submarine (K19) out on tests before it is ready. Harrison Ford is put on board to make sure that "The Mother Lands" plan ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent cast, moving story
Disadvantages: Very sentimental and over indulgent in parts, too long

The cast and acting are both very good and the portrayal of the characters is excellent. The suffering of those on board comes across to the viewer very strongly and you really feel for them. Sometimes, however, you feel that you can "foresee" what is going to happen as some scenes are built up and when something happens, it's almost as if you already know "whodunnit". The film also in some places tried too hard to get the message across and some ... Read review