Supposedly based on actual events suppressed for decades, K-19: The Widowmaker (2002) tells the story of a nuclear incident aboard a Russian submarine, on a mission in the North Atlantic. The time is 1961, John F. Kennedy is president, and cold war tensions are at a high level. Peace between the superpowers is maintained by the policy of mutually assured destruction (MAD), where neither nation would dare to use a nuclear weapon, for fear that the other would do the same. A part of the balance of power, are submarine launched nuclear missiles.
Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones, Star Wars) is Captain Alexei Vostrikov, newly appointed captain of the K-19, the Soviet Union's newest super sub. He is replacing Captain Mikhail Polenin (Liam Neeson), who has come into disfavor with Moscow. For the sub's maiden voyage, Moscow directs Polenin to take K-19 into the north Atlantic, cruise under the ice cap, and test launch a missile, thus demonstrating to the Americans, Russia ability to strike the US from a submarine.
Setting to sea, things are a little rough, as Vostrikov puts the crew through drill after drill. He then tests the limits of the craft, taking it down to crush depth, then making a rapid ascent. Crashing through the ice cap, he then fires the test missile. Their mission successfully completed, Moscow directs the sub to begin patrolling off the eastern shore of the United States.
On the way to America, one of the nuclear reactors begins to overheat. Atomic power being a relatively new technology, Captain Vostrikov is in a tough spot, as he must rely on a reactor officer, just out of the training academy. The ship has only a few hours, before the core becomes critical, and detonates. A desperate plan, to reroute the ship's water supply to cool the core is attempted. The modifications are successful, but the workers are exposed to potentially lethal doses of radiation.
The immediate threat has been averted, but those aboard are being subjected to high doses of radiation. Refusing to accept help from a nearby American ship, Vostrikov's plan is to try and limp back to Russia. When the makeshift cooling system fails, rather than risk a nuclear explosion, the crew decides to submerge and try to make additional repairs.
Academy Award winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Point Break), was dedicated to telling the story of these forgotten men, in as realistic way as possible. The film does capture some of the atmosphere of the conditions on a Russian sub, as well as the spirit and attitude of the officers and crew. K-19 is essentially a drama about overcoming a disaster, those looking for an action film, may be quite disappointed. Although the story has historical significance, until the nuclear crisis, things move a bit slow, and the clash between captains Vostrikov and Polenin, is about the only thing for the audience to focus on. While there is some interest in watching superstars Ford and Neeson clash swords, it really does not make for the most exciting or compelling viewing. Based on this, while the filmmaker's motives are certainly laudable, and the film is a first class production, its lack of commercial success, is not particularly surprising.
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