K-19: A Doomed Voyage Before It Left Port

Rating: 9/10 (9 February 2015)

Let me start by saying I loved this film. I believe Liam Neeson and Harrison Ford were excellent as Russian captains. The movie takes place in 1961, the Russians have a new nuclear submarine. Before it leaves it is to be christened. Once the champagne bottle is released, it fails to break. All the men of K-19 were shocked. This is usually a bad sign. The crew continues to get prepared to leave. Before leaving there is an accident involving a crew member, and one of the crew has to be replaced due to being drunk on duty. The crew led by Capt. Alexei Vostrikov( Harrison Ford), and Mikhail Polenin(Liam Neeson). During this time it is the height of the Cold War. K-19 is heading toward American waters. It seems all is going well until Lt. Vadim Radtchinko(Peter Sarsgaard) notices the temperature start to rise outside the nuclear reactor room. The controls signify there is a small leak starting in the reactor room. Radtchinko relays this to Polenin, and Vostrikov. The crew must stop it before a disaster like Hiroshima happens. Polenin decides the men must work in shifts, but it keeps getting worse. When going to get the proper equipment the sub only has chemical suits, no radiation suits. The situation gets worse the men know they are doomed, but they must control the leak for a chance of survival. The men go in two's, 10 minutes max in the reactor room. They continue this until the leak is somewhat controlled. All the men take their turn except the Lt.(Sarsgaard) he freezes which doesn't look good, the men, and Polenin are disappointed. They do get the leak slowed down, and it holds for awhile, but eventually it begins again. This time it is worse, and Radtchinko vows not to let the Captains or the men down. He goes in, and tries to control it himself. The crew is hot, suffering from radiation sickness; and the readings are off the chart. Thus begins the waiting game until help can arrive. Once K-19 reaches American waters, The U.S. Navy offers assistance, but Vostrikov refuses. Making the men and Polenin wonder why. Vostrikov says he will not turn his back on Mother Russia, he will not be guilty of treason. The crew is suffering, they arrest Vostrikov and make Polenin lead captain. Polenin at first looks as if he will take this honor, but instead backs his captain. Polenin releases Vostrikov, and those that try to stage the munity I believe are arrested.. This is where I feel Vostrikov is suffering from radiation sickness, and Polenin is probably in the beginning stages. The men are dying, and almost all of them have high radiation levels. From this point the leak gets worse most men are too sick to work in shifts, and the radiation levels keep rising. Vostrikov suffering from radiation sickness, realizes he needs to get his men off this sub ASAP. He calls Moscow, but the request gets denied. He tells Polenin he wants them off ASAP. Polenin reminds him it would mean the end of his military career for in subornation. At this point Vostrikov doesn't care, in awhile another sub comes; and helps rescue the men. The men are decontaminated, and taken aboard. After the rescue Polenin, and Vostrikov get checked at the hospital along with their crew. Once they are able, a trial for in subornation begins. The damage is done, a lot of the men aboard the K-19 eventually end up losing their lives which Vostrikov and Polenin will live with forever.
This story is based on a true story, and for 28 years the survivors could not tell their story until the fall of Communism in Russia. I really liked this film; and though I am a huge Neeson/ Ford fan; it was the story that draws you in. The bravery, and sacrifice the crew went through, for the love of their Country was amazing. This film is action packed, from the beginning to the end. A story the world got to know, and the lessons learned from it.
THX, Kris L. CocKayne