K-19: The Widowmaker

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K-19: The Widowmaker
original film poster
Directed by	Kathryn Bigelow
Produced by	Kathryn Bigelow
Written by	Louis Nowra Christopher Kyle
Starring	Harrison Ford Shaun Benson Liam Neeson
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	19 July 2002 (USA)
Running time	138 min
Language	English
Budget	~ US$100,000,000
IMDb profile

K-19: The Widowmaker is a movie released on July 19, 2002, about the first of many disasters that befell the Soviet submarine K-19. The movie was directed by Kathryn Bigelow; the screenplay was written by Christopher Kyle, based on a story by Louis Nowra.

The movie cost $100,000,000 but only grossed $35,000,000 in the US, qualifying it as a box-office bomb. The film was not financed by a major studio, making it one of the most expensive independent films to date.

The Hotel class submarine K-19 was played by the Juliett class K-77, which was significantly modified for the role.

Klaus Badelt wrote the film's militaristic score.

1 Controversy about the script
2 Cast
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Controversy about the script

The movie's script aroused considerable ire when it was read by the original crew of K-19. Two open letters were sent to the actors and production team, one from several officers and crew members, the other from the boat's captain. Many complaints centered on the incorrect and stereotypical portrayal of the Soviet crew sailors as disorderly, drunken, illiterate and rebellious.

The producers made significant changes to the script and the revised portrayal of the Soviet crew was more respectful. Several scenes were cut and the names of the crew were changed at the request of the crewmembers and their families. When the film was premiered in Russia in October, 2002, 52 veterans of the K-19 submarine were flown in to the St. Petersburg premiere. Despite many technical and historical issues that remained (caused by the need to appease the general theatre-going audience), the film and Ford's performance in particular received high marks from them.

In particular, the attempted mutiny that is shown in the movie never took place, and is still considered an insult to the patriotism of the K-19 crew. Also, the submarine was never actually spotted or contacted by the US Navy.