Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

The Command Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 4, 2019

After taking a break from cinematic study for quite some time, submarine movies seem to be back in vogue. The underwater war machines offer potential for a more regal sort of national confrontation, allowing filmmakers to detail efforts of strategy and patience instead of serving up fiery conflict, preserving the promise of high drama at stunning depths. Last year there was “Hunter Killer,” a popcorn take on naval tensions, with “The Command” (a.k.a. “Kursk”) endeavoring to dramatize a true story of unimaginable survival. Director Thomas Vinterberg and screenwriter Robert Rodat (“Saving Private Ryan”) step away from pyrotechnics and near-misses to grasp the sheer horror of a 2000 Russian disaster, concentrating on the panic of the moment and concern brewing on land, searching for a way to grasp rising tensions from multiple points of view. “The Command” isn’t showy, trying to remain human and procedural as it details a desperate situation.

Serving with the Russian Navy, Mikhail (Matthias Schoenaerts) is a family man first and foremost, tending to the needs of his young son, Misha (Artemiy Spiridonov), and his pregnant wife, Tanya (Lea Seydoux). When duty calls, Mikhail reports to the Kursk, a massive submarine carrying a large amount of unstable torpedoes, preparing to reenter the deep for training purposes, testing weaponry and showcasing Russian power. When one of the torpedo explodes, it triggers major damage within the sub, sending it to the sea floor, forcing survivors to find a safe space and wait for a possible rescue. At home, Misha learns of the accident, but the powers that be refuse to offer information concerning the crew, leaving wives of the community frustrated and angry. Mikhail strives to find a way out of the situation, taking control of supplies and morale, listening for naval efforts to find the sub and restore order. Waiting in international waters is David (Colin Firth), a superior officer with the Royal Navy who’s following the disaster, prepared to mount a rescue, only to be refused by Russian officials.

Rodat lifts a few moves from “The Deer Hunter,” introducing Mikhail as an honorable man trying to preserve the specialness of his best friend’s wedding day when money is tight and work is scarce. To purchase party goods, Mikhail offers his watch to cover costs, doing whatever he can to secure the special day, which brings together the crew of the Kursk, celebrating their camaraderie and longstanding military support. It’s familiar but a fine way into this world, spotlighting Mikhail’s selflessness as a leader and the potency of his family life, devoted to Misha and Tanya, getting ready to welcome another addition to the household. Characterization is secured and stakes are established, and soon “The Command” enters the submarine, with the officers working through checklists for this basic exercise, though the groom, in charge of the torpedoes, is aware that something isn’t right, only to have his concerns denied by the captain.

Disaster does strike in the first act of “The Command,” with the wrecked sub sinking to the sea floor, sending survivors scurrying for safety, with a handful of men ending up in a sealed room with limited resources, including oxygen cartridges. Rodat (adapting a book by Robert Moore) creates three perspectives to follow, expanding beyond the claustrophobic confines of the Kursk. There are horrors down below, pushing Mikhail into leadership mode, trying to sustain hope for as long as possible. There’s Tanya’s panic, with the agitated woman growing increasingly hostile to Russian denials, also helping her fellow naval wives to cope with the nightmare. And there’s David, who studies the evidence, making a decision to remain on standby and wait for Russian officials to okay a rescue. Vinterberg juggles the subplots with care, delivering powerful emotion and crisp scenes of analysis, also mastering a few nail-chewing suspense sequences -- one following Mikhail as he swims through the flooded sub looking for more oxygen, holding his breath for what seems like an eternity.

The Command Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation secures two distinct looks for "The Command," working between the steely, cramped confines of the submarine and the open world of the Russian women at home. Sharpness is present throughout, offering metallic surfaces and distinct technical language inside the submarine, also capturing the deterioration of the survivors. Distances are dimensional, identifying the vast sea. Colors are also divided into the flatter blues and blacks of military duty and the warmer tones of daily life, including nature walks. Delineation is adequate. Compression issues are periodic, especially with underwater shots.

The Command Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is active and immersive, supplying a tight sense of space inside the submarine. Atmospherics preserve community movement and water flow, while pressure is felt with exterior sub shots and swimming challenges. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, identifying accents and subtle emotions. Scoring is authoritative, with defined instrumentation, and choral arrangements are clear. Sound effects contribute to suspense needs with distinct metallic actions. Low-end is compelling, doing especially well with the central explosion.

The Command Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Human Costs: The Making of 'The Command'" (27:44, HD) is a surprisingly comprehensive look at the production effort, sitting down with director Thomas Vinterberg and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle to highlight all the creative pieces necessary to the put the cinematic puzzle together. Topics include themes, casting, and various technical challenges, including the creation of underwater sets. Insights from the professionals are welcome (including an explanation of the aspect ratio changes), but the featurette really shines when showcasing BTS footage, detailing how certain shots were pulled off.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

The Command Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Command" is refreshingly critical of Russian incompetence, with naval efforts to send submersibles down and rescue the men thwarted by old equipment, with Commander Vladimir (the great Max von Sydow) refusing outside help due to fear of global humiliation, also protecting state secrets. It's a maddening tale of hubris, and the production wants the audience to feel this darkness creep into the story as days pass and government indifference mounts. "The Command" is superbly performed and directed, but it also avoids soap opera hysterics, using a real-world disaster to inspire a measured understanding of sacrifice and helplessness, braiding multiple perspectives into a riveting picture.