Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, Shaun Benson, Peter Sarsgaard

When Russia's first nuclear submarine malfunctions on its maiden voyage, the crew must race to save the ship and prevent a nuclear disaster.

Flixster Users

52% liked it

40,991 ratings

Critics

61% liked it

164 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 20 min.

Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow

Release Date: July 19, 2002

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DVD Release Date: December 10, 2002

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Stats: 1,043 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,043)


  • December 2, 2009
    This Movie was a tiny bit boring for me, but a friend enjoyed it, as she is a Polit-Thriller Fan. I m not much in to Politic anyway. lol
  • November 30, 2008
    I'd forgotten I'd seen this one. It is not the action thriller that one would expect from a submarine drama. This is the true story of the first sea trials of the Soviet K-19 nuclear submarine, whose "Widowmaker" moniker refers to the many tragedies that befell the crew. Most not...( read more)ably a reactor meltdown where crew members sacrificed their lives to protect the rest of the crew. I'm always suspicious of American movies about the Soviets, especially ones where the lead actors don't speak with Russian accents.
  • April 27, 2008
    This true story of submarine events from the cold war time of the late 60s is one of the rare cases of an US movie taking an entirely Russian point of view. Which is odd, knowing Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson from countless other roles they don't seem to work as communistic milit...( read more)ary officers at first and so the movie drags on for a bit. Once the atom run sub is getting into a real mess the movie has its strongest moments, when members of the crew have to expose themselves to radiation to save the rest. In the end, the message felt kind of ambiguous to me: on the one hand it was not promoted to blindly follow orders from above and sacrificing everyone, on the other hand it was a lot about doing your duty and contained a lot of heroism and pathos. Still, worth watching, even though far from the awesomeness that's Petersen's Das Boot, the king of submarine movies.
  • March 24, 2008
    When a nuclear submarine malfunctions, the crew has to prevent a nuclear disaster.
  • February 1, 2008
    Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson are electrifying. Ford gives a fearless, demanding and commanding performance. Neeson is outstanding. Some of the best performances of their careers. A tremendous and exciting edge of your seat Cold War thriller. Loaded with suspense, emotion and tur...( read more)bo-charged thrills.
  • January 6, 2010
    K-19: The Widowmaker is a fact-based fictional movie 2002 about the first of many disasters that befell the Soviet submarine of the same name. The movie was directed by Kathryn Bigelow; the screenplay was written by Christopher Kyle, based on a story by Louis Nowra. In 1959, the ...( read more)Soviet Union launches its first nuclear submarine, the K-19 - nicknamed "The Widowmaker" due to many deaths that occurred during manufacturing. The ship is led by Captain Alexei Vostrikov (Harrison Ford), aided by executive officer Mikhail Polenin (Liam Neeson). One day, the ship's reactor cooling system starts to fail, leading the sailors to work together in order to both save the crew's lives as well as prevent a nuclear accident that could trigger World War III.
  • November 20, 2009
    This should have been Harrison Ford's Oscar. It wasn't.
  • October 20, 2009
    Deux films en un: un film de mecs (plutôt réussi) et un film de sous-marin (plutôt moyen).
  • September 23, 2009
    Unnecessary diversions in history and poorly attempted dramatic embellishment distract you from the true soul of the movie: a tale of Soviet sailors going above and beyond the call of duty to avert disaster and protect the dignity of the crew and the nation at large.
  • June 28, 2009
    This is a decent film based on true events. Based on a story of Soviet soldiers on a submarine sent out on a mission run before the sub is even up to code. Of course the sub begans to leak radiation and the stubborn sub commander will not ask the Americans for help due to pride. ...( read more)Harrison Ford is excellent as usual in his role but his Russian accent could have used some work. Plus great acting from Liam Neeson in this as well. They filmed this movie in my city of Halifax. I could see them film this from my apartment. Plus I can see my apartment building when I lived there in the film. Neat to watch a film and see buildings and scenery from my home town. Overall this is more of a drama and a thriller than a action film. With a good story and some soild acting all around makes for a entertaining film.

Critic Reviews


July 21, 2002
Nick Schager, Matinee Magazine

It's simply incapable of overcoming its leading man's leaden performance. full review

July 19, 2002
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Within the clutter of accents and heavenly choirs -- Klaus Badelt's score is at times a bit much -- lurks a good story. And, in midsummer, that's often all we can ask for. full review

July 19, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Bigelow is known for making good, visceral movies, but here she adopts a kind of dignified watchfulness, and that feels right for the material. full review

July 19, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A salute is in order for Bigelow, a director who knows how to navigate macho terrain without losing her human compass. full review

July 19, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The movie, from director Kathryn Bigelow, can't keep track of what course it wants to steer. full review

July 19, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

[Bigelow] is an expert technician who never steps wrong and is skilled at exploiting the personal qualities of Ford and Neeson to add another level of uncertainty. full review

July 18, 2002
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

A tense, swift drama of mechanical catastrophe and dueling egos. full review

View more K-19: The Widowmaker reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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K-19: The Widowmaker Trivia


  • This submarine movie, based on real events, was criticized for insulting the patriotism of the sub's crewmembers because it portrayed an attempted mutiny.  Answer »
  • In which film do Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson work as officers on board a Russian nuclear submarine?  Answer »
  • In which film would you find this character 'Captain Alexei Vostrikov'?  Answer »
  • Finish the title of this film: _______: The Widowmaker  Answer »

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