K-19: The Widowmaker

PG-13

Released Jul 19, 2002

2 hr. 18 min.

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

List

60%

170 Reviews

Tomatometer

52%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Follows Captain Alexi Vostrikov (Harrison Ford) who, at the height of the Cold War, is ordered to take over command of the nuclear missile submarine K-19, pride of the Soviet Navy. His assignment: Prepare the K-19 for sea and take her out on patrol -- no matter what the cost. But problems with the K-19 arise that may lead to a core meltdown and explosion that will certainly kill all aboard, and possibly trigger a nuclear war. Vostrikov must choose between his orders and the lives of his men.

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Critics Consensus

A gripping drama even though the filmmakers have taken liberties with the facts.

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Walt S

I thought this was a solid film, sort of a Das Boat meets Chernobyl.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

Full Review

Laura L

Great movie! Great cast with Harrison Ford (as Cpt. Vostrikov) and Liam Neeson (as Officer Polenin). They make a great team interpreting the captain and the main officer on the first Soviet Union nuclear submarine that had an accident and they were all in danger of irradiations. The movie successfully contrasts the difficulties of making the right decisions under great life-threatening pressure and the easiness of judging the gravity of a situation from a warm office and in circumstances that aren't life-threatening.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/24

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David H

Everytime I've watched this movie i thoroughly enjoy it, although the Russian accents are a bit iffy.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/29/24

Full Review

Ramez G

Movie: K-19: The Widowmaker Summary: The movie K-19 is based on a real-life incident that happened to the Soviet nuclear-powered submarine K-19 in 1961 during the Cold War era. The movie starts when the Soviet navy has finished working on the submarine and was considered set to sail and "defend the Motherland." The under trained and under equipped crew set sail for a mission in the Northern Atlantic Sea led by their determined captain, Nikolai Zateyev. After the first couple of days at sea, the tough captain decides to conduct rigorous and challenging drills and tests. This sends the crew, as well as the submarine, to the edge, making everyone on board uncomfortable with his way of leading the crew. A couple of days later the nuclear officer on board notices that one of the cores' temperature is starting to rise unexpectedly. After some thorough examination he discovers a coolant leak that will lead to a global scale nuclear explosion, 20 times bigger than Hiroshima. The crew then tries their best to prevent that nuclear meltdown while navigating under the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic. Analysis: Unlike most war or military related movies, the biggest takeaway in K-19 is not the politics. While it did have a political side, it focused more on leadership and the relationship between a highly decorated, tough captain and his crew. One of the most memorable scenes from the film is when the captain, who hasn't shown a shred of emotions since the beginning of the movie, cries when one of his crew members dies tragically, burnt from radiation for his heroic act to save everyone. This implies character development. The captain at the beginning of the movie was ordering his crew, but at the end he was asking them, thus showing the viewer what is the meaning of true leadership: that is not to treat your followers as servants, but rather befriend them. Only then you will establish true trust. The movie also focused on the psychological side of living under the sea, especially on board a 5000 ton chunk of metal that is powered by a malfunctioning nuclear reactor. The way that the crew reacted while their captain conducted dangerous drills and tests that could crush the hull or give their position to the enemy, conveys to the viewer the true depth of the situation. The true psychological horror starts when the crew gets sent one by one into the nuclear reactor with minimal protection in a desperate attempt to repair the reactor. It leaves the viewer speechless at the courage of the crew. Another key theme of the movie is the consequences of the Cold War tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States. The film highlights the attempts of the captain to avoid any possible conflict between his submarine and the US navy as almost any move could be interpreted as an act of war, that will surely have undesirable outcomes on both sides. The movie serves as a powerful reminder of the power of diplomacy in resolving issues on a global scale. Critique: I believe that K-19 has everything to make a great wartime movie, highlighting themes of leadership, sacrifice, and the consequences of Cold War tensions. The director played a great role in representing the Soviet side of the Cold War, while the acting was striking, with the captain played by Harrison Ford and the executive officer played by Liam Neeson. The music also played an important role in setting the mood, fluctuating between calm as the event became relaxed, and intense as the events spiraled out of control. I love military/war movies, and I give K-19 5/5 as one of the best all time war movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Kyria D

Set during the cold war, K-19 is a gripping military and disaster drama. Fantastic acting between Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson. Many of the smaller roles are also wonderfully portrayed. Based on real events.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/09/23

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Audience Member

The funniest movie ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL, ages 13+ are allowed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Kathryn Bigelow

Director

Harrison Ford

Captain Alexi Vostrikov

Liam Neeson

Captain Mikhail Polenin

Peter Sarsgaard

Reactor Officer Vadim Radtchenko

Joss Ackland

Marshal Zelentsov

John Shrapnel

Admiral Bratyeev

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

Why did movie moguls think that this was the right moment for a tale of unflinching loyalty to the Soviet Union?

Mar 5, 2013

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 2/5

Mar 30, 2003

Full Review

Jason Best

BBC.com

The movie's true hero -- or heroine -- is Bigelow, who once again proves herself one of the very best action directors around.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 26, 2002

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Not to be confused with K-9, K-2 or even K-PAX, the fact-based K-19 is nevertheless strictly DOA and should be KO’d ASAP.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 2, 2024

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Does a competent job of creating the same sense of creepy claustrophobia that made classic sub actioners like Das Boot, Crimson Tide and The Hunt For Red October so memorable.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 4, 2020

Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

...takes its place among a small group of undersea motion pictures. Unfortunately, it takes its place at the end of the line.

Rated: 5/10

May 7, 2010

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Synopsis

Follows Captain Alexi Vostrikov (Harrison Ford) who, at the height of the Cold War, is ordered to take over command of the nuclear missile submarine K-19, pride of the Soviet Navy. His assignment: Prepare the K-19 for sea and take her out on patrol -- no matter what the cost. But problems with the K-19 arise that may lead to a core meltdown and explosion that will certainly kill all aboard, and possibly trigger a nuclear war. Vostrikov must choose between his orders and the lives of his men.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Executive Producer: Harrison Ford, Nigel Sinclair, Moritz Borman, Guy East
Screenwriter: Christopher Kyle
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: First Light Production, New Regency Pictures, Palomar, National Geographic Society
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Images)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 19, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.2M
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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