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K-19: The Widowmaker (PG-13, 2002)

common sense media says

Intense wartime submarine movie celebrates heroism.

parents & educators say
  • 40% say violence is an issue
  • 40% say language is an issue
See all 6 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this serious Cold War-era submarine thriller directed by Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow is loosely based on true events that theoretically could have sparked another world war. Though the movie has very little language, nudity, or drinking, it's a frightening and intense experience. The violence is realistic and makes a definite impact, mostly in the scenes of men entering the radioactive chamber and emerging, burned and sick. But for those with strong stomachs, it's a gripping, powerful, and inspiring experience.

Positive messages: This movie depicts a crew of Russian seamen -- who were the enemies of the United States at the time the movie takes place (1961) -- not as enemies but as living, feeling people just like anyone else. The men learn to work together and overcome their fears, acting selflessly and heroically in the face of a potential worldwide disaster.
Positive role models: The crew's divided loyalty between captains creates serious friction on board. But over the course of the movie, they all learn to trust one another and to work together. Captain Polenin learns to let the men trust him rather than bullying them into respecting him. Some characters, notably Lieutenant Radtchinko, are given chances to overcome their fears.
Violence: The movie has relatively few violent/frightening images, but they're all extremely powerful. Several men who enter a radioactive chamber are exposed to heavy doses of radiation and emerge with burning skin (sometimes vomiting, too). Later they're shown bandaged, shaking, and suffering. There's an overall atmosphere of fear and despair. In addition, one character pulls a gun, and another character is struck and killed by a truck. A man gets his hand stuck in a moving chain, another hits his head in the same accident, and there's some blood. Scenes from a violent propaganda film shown within the movie include images of the KKK.
Sex: There are some "d--k" jokes, and several men drop their pants to "moon" for a photograph. One passionate kissing scene as a man says goodbye to his girlfriend.
Language: Infrequent use of words like "d--k," "bulls--t," and "jackass."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The main character smokes in one scene. A seaman shows up to his post drunk. The men drink toasts of vodka before shipping out, and on the submarine they occasionally drink red wine (which is said to slow the effects of the radiation).
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More on K-19: The Widowmaker

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the movie's radiation-related imagery. Is it frightening? Is it more or less scary than "bigger" violence/action? Why?
  • Given that the situation was an accident, are the men on the K-19 heroes? What does it mean to be a hero?
  • Do you feel the Russians were accurately portrayed? How might the film have been different if the characters were Americans, or if the movie had been released during the time it takes place?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In 1961, Moscow is eager to set sail with Russian nuclear submarine the K-19, even though it's not quite ready and even though it appears to be a "bad luck" boat. Captain Mikhail Polenin (Liam Neeson) is replaced by stern, by-the-book Captain Alexei Vostrikov (Harrison Ford), much to the anger of his beloved crew. In the midst of all this tension, men are injured during drills, and nothing appears to be working correctly. Worse, the cooling system on one of the nuclear reactors springs a leak, and there are no radiation suits on board. If the bomb goes off, it could start World War III. It's up to the men to repair it, exposing themselves to massive doses of radiation. But even if they get it fixed, can the wounded submarine make it back home to Mother Russia?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Stuck with an ill-timed summer release in 2002, Kathryn Bigelow's intense, harrowing K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER received mixed reviews, many of which called the film overly serious and too long. Now that Bigelow has won an Oscar for Best Director, it's time to give the movie a second chance.

Bigelow directs with lean efficiency, moving through the submarine's narrow passages swiftly and cleanly. She focuses on a choice few of the men and manages to capture a cross section of them, representing all their hopes and fears in just a few strokes. The movie does indulge in a few "based on a true story" conventions, and the wobbly Russian accents are sometimes distracting, but these are minor quibbles in a brutally effective, brilliantly constructed dramatic thriller.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Cast: Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, Peter Sarsgaard
Genre: Drama
Run time: 137 minutes
Theatrical release: July 19, 2002
DVD release: December 10, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: disturbing images
This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:
  • 40% say violence is an issue
  • 40% say language is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

nationaltreasure
adult
12
 
good movie for older tweens and teens
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (7)
cuilean
adult
 
The Real Hunt for Red October
This incident appears to have given Clancy his basis for Red October. A good film the drags a bit.
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (7)
jcpilot
parent of 10 and 13 year old
9
 
Not a grand movie.
An o.k. action flick. Couple of curse words at the beginning, "SOB, JA" and some bare bums. Nothing too horrible. Some noticable radiation contamination to the skin (burned skin).
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
LuvEwan4Ever!
adult
 
on of my favourites
i loved this movie so much. i watched it about 6 0r 7 times during just one week. i thought it was done brilliantly. the story ends not happy but nor sad either. inspirational i think would be the right word. the violence is not too graphic but its not really suitable for kids. age 11/12 or 13 up i think. any younger and they probably wouldnt understand it or enjoy it for that matter but its a good movie. how can it not be....it has harrison ford in it! :P
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Joey123
teen, 18 years old
14
 
A movie that makes you think...
All war movie fans will love this. Some parts are violent and a LITTLE graphic, however, not nearly as much as made out to be. A mature 13 year-old would probably be able to handle this. fourteen and up would be a very appropriate age for this movie. It really shows what some parts of sub warfare are like.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (6)
DVS Cable Polenin
adult
 
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (5)

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