ARCTIC CONVOY, THE
(director: Henrik Martin Dahlsbakhen; screenwriters: Christian Siebenherz/Harold Rosenlow-Eeg/Lars Gudmestad; cinematographer: Oskar Dahlsbakken; editors: Kalle Doniselli Gulbrandsen; music: Johannes Ringen; cast: Tobias Santelmann (Mork), Anders Baasmo (Skar), Heidi Ruud Ellingsen (Ragnhild), Preben Hodneland (Lars), Adam Lundgren (Johan), Jon Ranes (Sigurd), Olav Waastad (Erik); Runtime: 108; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Catrin Gundersen, Martin Sundland, Kevin Karlsen, Thea Benedikte; Hulu/Fantefilm/Magnet Releasing; 2023-Norwayin Norwegian, Swedish, English with English subtitles)
“True story about the heroic efforts of the Norwegian Merchant Marines during World War II.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Norwegian filmmaker Henrik Martin Dahlsbakhen (“Possession”/”The Outlaws”) directs this little known true story about the heroic efforts of the Norwegian Merchant Marines during World War II. It’s lucidly written by Christian Siebenherz, Harold Rosenlow-Eeg and Lars Gudmestad and convincingly acted by the ensemble cast even if the dialogue was mostly heavy-handed.
The film is set during the summer of 1942.
The Norwegian Merchant Marines transported supplies to the Russians through German-controlled Arctic waters on a dangerous 12-day trip (from Iceland to Murmansk). The convoys were protected by the British Navy from U-Boats and Luftwaffe bombers, who despite the protection many cargo ships were still destroyed.
The cargo ship Hestmanden’s captain is a stubborn old school teacher Skar (Anders Baasmo), the first mate is Mork (Tobias Santelmann), the radio person is a woman named Ragnhild (Heidi Ruud Ellingsen), and the chief engineer is Lars (Preben Hodneland). Mork was captain of a ship torpedoed by the Germans and hasn’t fully recovered from that incident. The shaky Lars has had enough and plans to soon go back home to live quietly as a civilian.
We follow the Hestmanden after the British Navy recommends that it disperse its convoy of 35 ships. But the determined Captain Skar decides to continue the mission without British protection, and 11 ships get through. Faulty intel was blamed for the inaccuracy of the Brit report.
The visual effects are outstanding, as the old-fashioned and low-key film made for a good watch.
REVIEWED ON 2/7/2025 GRADE: B
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