K-19: The Widowmaker

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K-19: The Widowmaker

PG-13

Released Jul 19, 2002

2h 18m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Popcornmeter

59%

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170 Reviews

53%

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25,000+ Ratings

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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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

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Empire Magazine

Rated: 2/5

Mar 30, 2003

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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

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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

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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

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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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Claudia B

Nothing entertaining about this movie that Harrison Ford shouldnt have even considered. One of his worst.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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Jerod S

Ford and Neeson made a cold war sub movie worth watching. Radiation poisoning was painful to watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/11/25

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Brad M

Good movie. Def. Worth a watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/12/24

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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

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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

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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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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
Producer: Kathryn Bigelow, Sigurjon Sighvatsson, Christine Whitaker, Edward S. Feldman
Screenwriter: Christopher Kyle
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: National Geographic Society, Palomar, First Light Production, New Regency Pictures
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
Runtime: 2h 18m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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