K-19: The Widowmaker

K-19 is in no way an accurate depiction of the events surrounding the damaged Soviet submarine. It is an American film intended primarily for an American audience, so naturally they added an American ship that can help the Soviets, somewhat complicating the story. The behavior of the officers and crew on board corresponds to the American understanding of duty and their view of Soviet reality. In many details, the film is inaccurate in depicting the realities of submarine vessels and nuclear technology, but that is a relatively minor matter for the average viewer. As for the accident itself, those boys who entered the reactor room knew very well that they were going to die, and contrary to the film, they had anti-radiation suits, which, however, were useless in the face of the damaged reactor. In fact, this only enhances their heroism. Radiation sickness does not progress as described in the film; the affected person does not show such pronounced external signs of damage, but rather the risks of blood cell breakdown. A patient with such a high dose quickly loses consciousness and does not talk. Kathryn Bigelow directed the film reliably but conservatively. It would have benefited from some Fincher-like clever shots and an effort to tell the story visually, as sometimes it is moved forward only through long dialogues. The atmosphere on the submarine could have been more intense. The performances are convincing, and the casting worked professionally. The film was a painful failure because American viewers are self-centered, and the story of the Soviet crew was distant to them. The European market did not save it, and at that time, Russia was more focused on copying and thriving on the black market than on releasing the film for regular distribution. Overall impression: 75%. (25/06/2007)

I've known Kathryn Bigelow is good since I saw her Strange Days. The first two thirds of K-19 are excellent, they have momentum, they show the mess in the Soviet army, the scene of the reactor repair is both frightening and impressive. But the last act loses a lot of the pace, it is too pathetic and tearful, but it’s still a good film overall. I really don’t understand the complaints about boredom. I think it’s three and a half stars. (16/02/2003)

Excellent acting performances and precise directing. I like battles against fate and this is a really tough one. The mindset of the Soviets that says never settle for defeat is extremely tangible and in some cases in this movie it triumphs the instinct to survive, as we see in the powerful scenes where they are repairing the reactor. (17/01/2013)

Almost top of the line. As expected, the film is mainly driven by Ford and Neeson, but I was surprised how Kathryn Bigelow took up the subject. K-19 is not a second Das Boot, but it is much better than U-571.__P.S. Klaus Badelt's music is so unbelievably beautiful that I feel like giving the film a fifth (and properly red) star just for it.__P.P.S. I am giving it. (03/01/2008)

Magnificent in all its naivety. I love submarine films and this one has everything important: drama, atmosphere, a charismatic captain (two, actually) with a cutely non-Russian pronunciation... It also has a heap of pathos that is applied to the inhabitants of the USSR, comradeship and the party acquires a whole new (a bit of a sarcastic) dimension, and somehow confirms that in order for the Western creator to understand the Eastern mentality, he has to completely adapt it to his own. But for me, this is just another positive side of a pleasant spectacle that has all the attributes of a quality underwater spectacle. To comrades! (29/10/2003)