True story about daring sabotage by Norwegian commandos fictionalized into action movie.
The true story about several attempts to destroy heavy water production for Germany during World War II. Heavy water was produced by the Hydro company in relation to a major water power plant in the mountains of Telemark. The first attempt was in October 1942, while the final sabotage on the ferry happened in February 1944. These operations were carried out by different groups of commando soldiers (as well as failed attempts by US and British bombers), but is in the movie integrated into a single story involving the same, few persons. Names and background of key persons have been changed, romantic relationships added, time span have been shortened, geographical distances understated.
Although the movie takes liberties with minor facts, the historical context, key events and the local context is very accurately described. The movie is made on the very same location where the sabotage happened, and the commando soldiers appeared in British uniforms and under British command (within the Special Operations Executive). The movie gives a very precise image of the landscape and winter conditions in the Norwegian mountains. Some details are correctly shown in the movie, for example the fact that the civilian watchman in the heavy water factory was saved by the saboteurs before the bomb went off, and some women and children were warned not to enter the ferry. However, the movie does not show the hardships endured by the saboteurs waiting for months in the mountains with hardly any food available.
Although the sabotage probably had little consequences for the course of the war (at least seen in hindsight), these Norwegian commandos were true heroes. The Norwegian resistance under Nazi occupation was limited, but the achievements and efforts of these few men are nothing less then impressive. This movie should be watched only to get a feel of how the time and the context.
Heavy water production continued after the war and irony is that some heavy water was sold to Israel (among other countries), and Israel may have used this heavy water in an effort to make nuclear weapons.
The true story about several attempts to destroy heavy water production for Germany during World War II. Heavy water was produced by the Hydro company in relation to a major water power plant in the mountains of Telemark. The first attempt was in October 1942, while the final sabotage on the ferry happened in February 1944. These operations were carried out by different groups of commando soldiers (as well as failed attempts by US and British bombers), but is in the movie integrated into a single story involving the same, few persons. Names and background of key persons have been changed, romantic relationships added, time span have been shortened, geographical distances understated.
Although the movie takes liberties with minor facts, the historical context, key events and the local context is very accurately described. The movie is made on the very same location where the sabotage happened, and the commando soldiers appeared in British uniforms and under British command (within the Special Operations Executive). The movie gives a very precise image of the landscape and winter conditions in the Norwegian mountains. Some details are correctly shown in the movie, for example the fact that the civilian watchman in the heavy water factory was saved by the saboteurs before the bomb went off, and some women and children were warned not to enter the ferry. However, the movie does not show the hardships endured by the saboteurs waiting for months in the mountains with hardly any food available.
Although the sabotage probably had little consequences for the course of the war (at least seen in hindsight), these Norwegian commandos were true heroes. The Norwegian resistance under Nazi occupation was limited, but the achievements and efforts of these few men are nothing less then impressive. This movie should be watched only to get a feel of how the time and the context.
Heavy water production continued after the war and irony is that some heavy water was sold to Israel (among other countries), and Israel may have used this heavy water in an effort to make nuclear weapons.