K-19: The Widowmaker

This is one film I would have appreciated more if I had viewed the ``making of'' sequences on the DVD first. The film execs found a dry docked diesel submarine in St. Petersburg, Florida and then actually rebuilt it to have the physical appearance of K-19, the Soviet Union's first nuclear submarine. It had to be lengthened more than 100 feet and have a larger fair-weather (used to be called a conning tower) and still be seaworthy. I was more impressed with the technical reproduction achievements than I was with the film.

Harrison Ford is Captain Vostrikov and Liam Neeson is Captain Polenin; yes two captains on one vessel with 102 sailors. The relationship between the two leaders along with disasters creates the tension. Vostrikov is installed as captain and Polenin becomes acting exec officer. This was a different role for Ford, i.e. a stiff, inflexible hard-ass. It was much different than a Hans Solo or an Indiana Jones. I thought Ford did the part justice and he grew as an actor in my estimation. Neeson's character was more typical of his roles, i.e. strong and sensitive.

The plot depicts a factual 1961 cold war case in which the Soviets rushed their first nuclear sub into service, presumably to match the U.S. threat. However all the problems encountered in the film involve internal submarine technology failures. So this story doesn't have the same kind of cat and mouse intrigue between adversaries that makes other sub tales like Clancy's Red October so interesting. People vs. poor workmanship or lousy design just doesn't have the punch.

However, this is film is a professional rendering and as I said, the reproduction achievements are impressive.

Reviewed February 4, 2003.