Introduction

Kursk (released as The Command in the US and as Kursk: The Last Mission in the UK) is a 2018 English-language French-Belgian drama film directed by Thomas Vinterberg based on Robert Moore’s book A Time to Die, about the true story of the 2000 Kursk submarine disaster.

It stars Matthias Schoenaerts, Colin Firth, Léa Seydoux, Peter Simonischek, Max von Sydow, Matthias Schweighöfer and Michael Nyqvist.

Outline

One hundred and eighteen Russian sailors died during the 2000 K-141 Kursk submarine disaster. The Kursk sank during a Russian naval exercise in the Barents Sea after explosions within the submarine.

Twenty-three sailors survived the crash and desperately waited for help to arrive while their oxygen ran out.

The Russian government refused help from foreign governments for five days before agreeing to aid from the British and Norwegian governments.

In the movie, the twenty-three sailors who survived the initial blast survive for an extended period, while three rescue attempts by the Russian navy fail.

In reality all sailors died within eight hours of the blast, thus before the first rescue attempt.

Film Inspiration

Based on true events and the 2002 book, A Time to Die: The Kursk Disaster, by Robert Moore.

Production & Filming Details

• Director: Thomas Vinterberg.
• Producer: Ariel Zeitoun.
• Writer: Robert Rodat (screenplay).
• Music: Alexandre Desplat.
• Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle.
• Editor: Valdis Oskarsdottir.
• Production: EuropaCorp, Belga Productions, and VIA EST.
• Distributor: EuropaCorp Distribution.
• Release Date: 06 September 2018 (Toronto International Film Festival).
• Running Time: 117 minutes.
• Country: France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
• Language: English.

YouTube Link