Saving Private Ryan writer Robert Rodat turned his attention to the adaptation of Robert Moore’s book A Time to Die for his latest film and the Kursk The Last Mission DVD, Blu-ray and digital release date (details below) is fast approaching following its recent run on the big screen. In addition to the physical release, the semi-biographical film will also be available on iTunes, Xbox ONE, PS4 and Amazon Video release with rental options, so here’s everything that you need to know about the film.
Rodat’s screenplay was directed by acclaimed Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg, one of the founding members of the Dogme 95 movement alongside Lars Von Trier. His latest release follows up on the critical success of his adaptation of Far From The Madding Crowd and while Kursk didn’t quite get the same response in terms of reviews it’s a story that resonates as much today as the real life tragedy did in 2000.
The story focuses on the crew of the Russian submarine that ran into trouble while on a Naval exercise. After a series of internal explosions, the Kursk sank to the bottom of the sea with the majority of the crew killed from the initial blasts. However, 23 naval officers managed to survive the explosions and find limited refuge in a small compartment of the submarine and its the fate of these me that the DVD, Blu-ray and digital release focuses on.
While the disaster story behind the film is true, the Robert Rodat screenplay is more a dramatisation than an exact biographical adaptation with some creative license on the timings and reality of the events that took place. However, this is clearly designed to emphasise the tragic series of events that led to such a large number of deaths and the politics that were in play behind it all. Colin Firth (Kingsman The Golden Circle) leads the cast as as Commodore David Russell of the British Navy along with Matthias Schoenaerts (Far From The Madding Crowd) as Russian captain-lieutenant Mikhail Averin, Léa Seydoux (Specre) as his wife Tanya, Michael Nyqvist (John Wick) as Nesterov and Max von Sydow (Star Wars The Force Awakens) as Admiral Vladimir Petrenko.
DVD, Blu-ray, iTunes, Xbox ONE, PS4, Amazon and digital rental release date UK
The Kursk The Last Mission DVD and Blu-ray release date has been confirmed for the 16th September 2019 in the UK following its run on the big screen in July. There won’t be a 3D Blu-ray option, or 4K Ultra HD for that matter, but then that probably makes sense when you take into account the tragic subject matter.
The digital release on iTunes and Amazon Video will be our on the same date, which is a little unconventional as they usually release a week or so earlier. It’ll also be out on Xbox ONE and PS4 on the same date as the DVD and Blu-ray, but it’s likely that the digital rental option will be available a week later on the 23rd September 2019.
Run time and digital file size
Kursk has a run time of 1 hour 58 minutes, and a download size of 4.54Gb at 1080p HD or just 1.78Gb if storage space for standard definition. As ever, it’s a good idea to check the disk space on your computer, PS4 or Xbox ONE games console before you download the digital release to make sure that you’ve got enough space available.
UK cinema release
Kursk The Final Mission had a UK cinema release date of Friday the 12th July 2019, following on from its much earlier premier at the Toronto International Film Festival on the 6th September 2018. It came out on the same weekend as Stuber and The Dead Don’t Die, which aren’t really comparable as this was always going to be one for more serious film goers, especially at independent cinemas.
We’ve tried not to go into too much detail about the story, but you can read more about the tragic events of the Kursk submarine disaster at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kursk_submarine_disaster ahead of the home entertainment release.
Kursk The Last Mission DVD, Blu-ray and digital age rating
Kursk The Last Mission was given an age rating of 12A in the UK by the British Board of Film Classification for the cinema, DVD, Blu-ray and digital release. The notes on the certification include moderate threat, disturbing images and some strong language, but as with any real life tragedy you might want to review the film yourself before deciding whether or not it’s one for the rest of the family.
We’ll add in more details as they become available, but the information above should give you a good idea of what to expect from the home entertainment release.
You can see more on Kursk The Last Mission on the Toronto International Film Festival website at https://www.tiff.net/events/kursk.
