Finally the Norwegians are given the chance to tell the story of what happened in Narvik town with the addition of a few fictional characters to make it relatable and natural. This is one of the best war movies I have seen that has nothing to do with Hollywood. What I enjoyed most about the film is how it tugged at my emotions, while maintaining a level of authenticity that immerses you into the story. Sensitive individuals should approach this movie with caution, as it has the potential to trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as it did for me. Even if you are not a fan of war films, I promise you will like this because it is educational.
Narvik is a captivating war film that delves into the human experiences of conflict. This Norwegian historical drama portrays the Battles of Narvik that transpired from 9th April to 8th June 1940. Directed by Erik Skjoldbjaerg and produced by Nordisk Film, the movie features a talented cast, including Kristine Hartgen, Carl Martin Eggsbø, Cristoph Gelfert Mathiesen, and Henrik Mestad. Notably, the film was also distributed by Netflix, thereby making it a Netflix original.
"Narvik" is a compelling war movie that tells the story of a family caught in the middle of conflict and how the Germans use Narvik's Iron core to make their war machines. This is so because 85% of Narvik consists of iron core. The movie follows the Tofte family, consisting of corporal Gunnar Tofte (played by Carl Martin Eggesbø), his wife Ingrid (Kristine Hartgen), and their son, Ole.
Plot
The movie starts with Corporel Gunnar Tofte eagerly anticipating his return to Narvik to celebrate his son's birthday. However, upon arrival, he was informed that all leaves were canceled, and he was required to report to the base. Crestfallen, Gunnar implored Major Sigurd Omdal to permit him to return home. Eventually, he was granted permission to leave, but with the caveat that he must return to the base by midnight. Gunnar was elated, and he bid farewell to his friends, clutching a gift for his son.
His wife, Ingrid, works at a hotel as a staff member and as a translator. She was called upon to translate the mayor of Narvik's meeting with German representatives, during which he demanded respect for Norway's neutral stance from both Germany and Great Britain. As Ingrid translated the mayor's speech, she saw her husband. Overcome with joy, she hurried to the kitchen once the meeting was concluded. Gunnar and Ingrid were overjoyed to be reunited, even though he was required to leave by midnight. She was comforted, knowing that he was close by.
Upon hearing the sound of explosions after their private time together, Gunnar quickly went back to the base, only to learn that the Germans had launched an invasion of the town. The Norwegian soldiers were ordered to retreat by Major Omdal, who knew that engaging with the Germans would result in significant bloodshed. Instead, he instructed his soldiers to follow him in devising a plan to drive the Germans out of Narvik.
Meanwhile, Ingrid remained composed at her job, tending to her guests with hospitable service. Although she had reasons to despise the Germans, but she continued to provide them with gracious care while maintaining an amicable relationship with the Germans. She also helped the English representatives flee safely when the Germans looked for them. She could not offer them accommodation at the hotel, so she instructed them to seek refuge in a forest cabin that belongs to her family. Ingrid knew that the Englishmen could aid in their country's defeat of Germany, and she wanted to contribute to their efforts. Then, the movie delves in deer into the historical events that followed.
My Review.
Watching this film provided me with a captivating and insightful education on the history of Narvik during World War II. Before watching, I was not aware that Hitler had experienced defeat during his time, however, this film prompted me to conduct further research and gain a deeper understanding of the historical events that took place then. While I am typically not one to enjoy history, I must admit that learning about this period was an enlightening experience.
I commend the director for his exceptional work. The meticulous attention to detail and realistic portrayal of events transport viewers back in time to the actual occurrences that took place in Narvik. The plot was well-written, and the fictional characters were added to enhance the natural experience for viewers.
The cast of the film delivered an exceptional performance, with each actor blending seamlessly into their respective roles. Their passion and zeal brought the characters to life, leaving me feeling as though they had experienced the war firsthand. In particular, Ingrid, played by my favorite actor in the film, was portrayed brilliantly. As a Norwegian hotel staff fluent in German and English, she was tapped to interpret for both sides during their meetings before the outbreak of hostilities, and she remained an interpreter for the Germans when the conflict began. Ingrid was the highlight of the film and the glue that bound all the other actors together. Her engaging, bold, and confident performance conveyed the angst she felt as she struggled with her situation.
The cinematography was exceptional, with the period depicted perfectly. The vehicles, uniforms, weapons, and other props were all period-accurate, and the filming location provided excellent scenery that transported me back to the era. Large fires, bombed-out areas, planes, and ships all looked genuine, with the CGI being particularly impressive. The action scenes were credible, with no unrealistic stunts or goofs to detract from the natural flow of events.
In my opinion, this film was an exceptional portrayal of the events that took place during World War II, with everything unfolding at a natural and human pace. While some viewers have suggested that the film was not entirely accurate in its depiction of historical events, I strongly disagree, as the film was brilliantly executed in every aspect.
Why It Is Not Accurate.
This movie has received criticism for not being entirely accurate in its depiction of historical events. Some argue that the inclusion of fictional characters, the limited scope of the events shown in the film, and the failure to credit the Polish soldiers who fought alongside the Norwegians are examples of this inaccuracy. However, I believe that these criticisms are not entirely valid, as war movies typically cannot cover all of the documented events that took place during a conflict.
Regarding the fictional characters, I believe that their inclusion was a necessary element to the plot. While most of the characters portrayed in the movie were real individuals who played a significant role in the actual Battle of Narvik, Corporal Gunnar and his family were the only fictional characters included. Their presence allowed the audience to experience the story from the perspective of an ordinary family, bringing to light the horror and devastation of the Nazi invasion.
Although the movie's focus was on the Battle of Narvik, some have criticized the fact that the film does not depict the entire war in Norway. However, I believe that this is a common limitation in war movies, as it is impossible to capture every single event that took place. Instead, the filmmakers chose to focus on Narvik as a way to highlight the bravery and sacrifices of those who fought in that particular battle.
Finally, while it is true that the film did not credit the Polish soldiers who fought alongside the Norwegians, this is the only inaccuracy in the movie that I can identify. While it is unfortunate that this crucial element of the conflict was not portrayed, I do not believe that this error diminishes the overall accuracy of the film.
In summary, while some may criticize the film for its inaccuracies, I believe that it is an impressive and accurate portrayal of the Battle of Narvik. The inclusion of fictional characters, the limited scope of the events depicted, and the failure to credit the Polish soldiers who fought in the conflict are minor flaws shouldn't bring down the quality of this movie.
Rating this movie, I will give it 4.5 out of 5 stars! I will recommend this movie to war movie lovers and if you are easily triggered or experienced war before, don't watch this movie. If haven't seen please hurry and watch to learn more about what happened in Narvik town.
All images above are from the movie screenshots
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