Russian Submariners K.O. the movie K-19 Russian seamen depicted in K-19: The Widowmaker have complained that they were betrayed by the producers of the movie who, they say, promised them that they would "be portrayed as heroes" but instead depicted them "as a bunch of alcoholics and illiterates." In an interview with the French wire service Agence France Presse, Yury Mukhin, a former lieutenant-commander aboard the Soviet nuclear submarine that figures in the film, said that what appears on screen "was nothing like the reality." Russian naval officers aboard the sub reportedly particularly objected to scenes showing submariners drinking vodka -- it is banned on submarines -- and having to read an instruction manual when an alarm goes off. "This was the Soviet Union's first nuclear submarine," Mukhin told AFP, "and the crew consisted of professionals of the highest quality." Ship's electrician Victor Strelez told CNN on Saturday: "I don't think that Americans can convey what we went through, only a Russian with a Russian mentality can convey it." The BBC reported on Friday that families of the survivors of the sub and victims' widows will receive one percent of the box office gross from the movie.
Which is why there is no claim that the movie is a documentary. Movies that are "based on real events" are still just entertainment, and should be viewed with that in mind. Peace.
But if the film promises to be historically accurate, it should be. American film producers often do this. Look at U571, it portrayed Americans capturing the U-boat when in actual fact it was the British.
they dont care as long as they are making money from it. just think how boring the film would be if the 'evil communists' actually knew what they were doing? they made it more exciting and dramatised. get over it, its the way of the world.
Actually, the Soviets were technologically behind the US. As for whether they knew what they were doing.........I would think that they knew how to operate their equipment. *Laughs* This is true! Americans have a "technical know-how will get us through this" attitude. Russians have a "determination and will will get us through this" attitude.
I'm not disputing (sorry, spelling) that the russians were behind technologically. They knew how to work their own equipment, it was shody workman ship that could have lead to a major disaster. Anyhow, i was just merely trying to point out that by portraying the russians as being un-educated alcoholics will make better viewing.
its cool, i like to make myself understood, not always managing it first time. lol Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Xev ... "Actually, the Soviets were technologically behind the US. As for whether they knew what they were doing.........I would think that they knew how to operate their equipment." I take it that either: 1) You are referring to pre-WWII Soviet military technology; or, 2) You don't know a damned thing about post-WWII Soviet military technology. I suspect the latter. Take care Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Chagur: Oh joy, here we go again. I was a bit unclear. As I recall it, pre-WW2 Soviet technology was not up to par with that of the other military nations, and it was not until about 1941-42 (?) that they began manufacturing really good equipment such as the T34. I was also under the impression that Soviet military development was not truely up to par with the US until about the late 60s -70s, except in the area of firearms. Buuuut, I could be wrong. Maybe you would be so kind as to enlighten me? Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
What about that Soviet Missile truck, the Kata...something or other. That was cool. The Russians had some of the best tanks of WW2, but they did have raw determination. Thats what the Germans lacked. They relied on speed and advanced weaponry. The Russians outnumbered the Germans in many cases, but thats not what this threads about. I had trouble watching Enemy at the Gates, so many Cockneys in WW2 Russia it was unbelievable. The English accents made it unwatchable for me. They should have had Russian actors or at least made them have Russian accents. Also, how did that woman survive, she had half her guts out, on deaths door but she made it, why?. Did anyone else think that it was turning into a porn film half way through?
Xev ... Ahhh ... Like Sputnik, Mir, Kalishnikov assault rifles, tanks (which you mentioned), missiles (ground to air, air to air), 'look-shoot' technology, Yankee class subs, Typhon class subs, aircraft that outperformed anything we had except for the SR-71. And that's just off the top of my head. Oh yeah, and supercavitating torpedos and firearms. Come off of it! We're just damned lucky we never had to go up against the Soviet military and its weapons. Take care Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! *Edit for typo*
dont forget the 'Caspian Sea monster' (Ekranoplan). Technology well in advance of that seen in the United States but developed on the other side of what was then the Iron Curtain. A bizarre cross between a hovercraft and an aeroplane... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Captain_Crunch ... Thanks for the pic. Knew about it, History Channel just had a program about it, couldn't find a decent pic. to add to my collection. Take care. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Hey Zev; forgot to add vectored thrust missiles and fighters ... and the automated space-craft docking that we still can't match ... and the list goes on and on. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
anytime, i dont have digital tv so i did'nt know it was on. I had seen a documentary before on terestrial tv though. Extremely interesting, such a bizarre concept allowed the go ahead. Hey, they only built 4 and 3 (i think) are lying in a port in the Caspian Sea rotting....so....if you can scratch up enough pennys you could maybe buy one! lol.
Xev ... "Buuuut, I could be wrong. Maybe you would be so kind as to enlighten me?" Made my point. Are you sufficiently enlightened? Take care Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Captain_Crunch ... Might be able to swing it ... But the maintainence would most likely kill me Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Actually, no more bizzare than the Spruce Goose ... and with the advantage, being a 'ground effect' vechicle, of coming in 'under the radar'. Though, come to think of it, the Spruce Goose would have had a pretty low radar signature for its size. Take care Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
