korppoolainen
I just watched this film. I had no idea really what the film was about, I had never heard of Max Manus. I had high hopes after reading the reviews here, but maybe having high hopes made this movie fail a little for me. It was good, but I feel a little confused about many things. I will not go into the details here, but I just feel the film should have been longer. Everything just happens without much explanation (I think it is made in such a way assuming that the viewers already know the facts, but alas, outside of Norway nobody knows anything about the Norwegian resistance) so many times I was left wondering.I would have liked to have learned about Great Britain (especially Scotland) and how the relationship between them and Norwegian resistance was formed and how they travelled between the countries. I know at one point fishing boats from Scotland were rescuing people from Norway, but I have never seen this depicted in a film.But over all, this was a good film, very beautiful cinematography and very well acted. It was nice to hear Norwegian too, I don't understand it, but it added to the authenticity of it and really made you feel a connection with the gang.
JulianMHall
I had this for my birthday, and unsurprisingly once again found that a 'Straight to DVD' movie is a hidden gem. Although it starts off a little slow it quickly becomes apparent this is necessary to illustrate the background of each of the protagonists.I was pleased to see it was in the original Norwegian except where necessary, because although I do not speak the language myself I am not a fan of 'Herr Kapitan, vhy are ve speakink English?' style of movie where everyone speaks English regardless of nationality. The subtitles were at times a little obtrusive as you'd end up with the translation and the ordinary title - such as showing location - at the same time.The portrayal of the main characters was superb but none better than that of Max himself. You are drawn throughout the movie along with him from the brash young boy, taking ridiculous risks, to the mature leader of his men in wartime, to the ending with his despair that although peace has come finally to Europe it is too late for so many of his closest friends who didn't live to see it. In this lies the true strength of the movie; it is real. It is not a gung-ho happily ever after story. It portrays war not as it affects countries, but as it *actually* affects those involved, and shows that the effects don't go away just because everyone stopped shooting.
jason-dickson
This film is really good.A great story about a guy called Max Manus who was the leader of the Norwegian underground movement. It covers his life and the fate of his comrades throughout World War 2.No huge budgets, no big name stars, a really good story and some class acting.This is probably the best film I have seen covering the sacrifices made by the underground movements in occupied Europe.The best part is that its true.Jason
jeffonsax
I found this war film very enjoyable. The story and acting was good as was the design. It has good moments of suspense and was like an old fashion picture of bravery and winning over the bad guys. The characters are interesting with the central protagonist Max Manus being someone we do care about. It is good to look at with some very good photography at the outside locations. I particularly enjoyed the night scenes during the sabotage sequences in the harbour.I would say a good film to watch for teenagers and adults.It is a foreign language film with subtitles.
AD
