At the point of 2010, no one of the Kon-Tiki's members still alive: Torstein Raaby died in 1964 in Greenland by heart condition while he trying to get North Pole (he was 45). Erik Hesselberg died in 1972 in Larvik, Norway, by heart condition (he was 58). Herman Watzinger died in 1986 in Peru by natural causes (he was 70). Bengt Danielsson died in 1997 in Tahiti, by deterioration in his health (he was 75). Thor Heyerdahl died in 2002 in Colla Micheri, Italy, by a brain tumor (he was 87). Finally, Knut Haugland died in 2009 in Oslo, Norway, by natural causes (he was 92).
The first Norwegian movie to win an Oscar. Norway has won only one other time. It was in 2007 for the short animated film The Danish Poet (2006).
The 77-minute movie originally premiered in Stockholm on January 13th 1950. It was released on DVD (Region 1) by Janson Media in 2001 (some sites say 2006) and includes an English soundtrack. Some versions are 124 minutes and include these special features: Thor Heyerdahl: Explorer & Scientist, Photo Gallery, Expedition Map, and Rare Color Footage.