K-19: The Widowmaker *** (2002, Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, Peter Sarsgaard, Tim Woodward, Joss Ackland, John Shrapnel) – Classic Movie Review 2100

Harrison Ford stars as Captain Alexei Vostrikov, who battles with nice second-in-command Mikhail Polenin (Liam Neeson) over safety aboard a Russian nuclear submarine on its controversial and eventually tragic 1961 maiden trip.

Director Kathryn Bigelow’s long, grim 2002 true tale is well crafted and decently acted but it’s a real alienating downer.

It’s a surprise to see Ford in an unsympathetic character, but he makes a good job of it in a useful change of pace for him. Neeson is dependably rock solid as the film’s good guy.

Christopher Kyle’s screenplay is based on the story by Louis Nowra.

Also in the cast are Tim Woodward, Joss Ackland, John Shrapnel, Peter Sarsgaard, Donald Sumpter, Peter Stebbings, Christopher Redman and Sam Spruell.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2100

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