k19

K19 is an alphanumeric designation that may refer to more than one entity. The two most widely known uses are the Soviet submarine K-19 and the 2002 historical drama film K-19: The Widowmaker.

K-19 (Project 627) was a Soviet nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine and the first operational submarine of the Soviet Navy designed to carry nuclear missiles. It was launched in 1959 as part of the Project 627, with the NATO reporting name Kit. In 1961, a reactor coolant leak forced the crew to take emergency measures to prevent a reactor meltdown; the submarine returned to port for repairs and the incident was kept relatively discreet at the time. After extensive repairs, the vessel continued in service into the 1990s and was eventually retired and scrapped. The incident is frequently cited in discussions of early Soviet nuclear safety and submarine engineering challenges.

K-19: The Widowmaker is a 2002 historical drama film directed by Kathryn Bigelow. It dramatizes the 1961 reactor incident aboard the K-19 and depicts the crew’s efforts to stabilize the reactor under extreme conditions. The film stars Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson and presents a narrative focused on leadership, risk, and the human cost of the crisis. While it received praise for performances and production values, it drew some criticism for dramatization and deviations from historical detail.