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K-19 The Widowmaker

[cert 12A, 138 mins]

K-19 The Widowmaker is a study in both collective and individual heroism. All but one of the crew stick by their stricken boat. The rest remain in the vessel, believing that their fate is to die from the growing radiation on-board. Every crew member's loyalty is severely tested. The greatest courage and self-sacrifice is called for when required to expose themselves to fatal levels of radiation attempting to rig up an alternative source of coolant for the on-board reactor when the official system ruptures and fails. The film also examines the burden carried by the submarine's captain, Alexi Vostrokov (Harrison Ford), to whom it falls to make a succession of life and death decisions.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Starring: Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson

Level: AS, A2, GCSE

Subjects: Business Studies, English, History, Media Studies

Related Links:

K-19 The Widowmaker study guide 1

K-19 The Widowmaker study guide 2

K-19: The Windowmaker DVD