Arctic Convoy: Todesfalle Eismeer

My father was an engineer on a Norwegian Merchant Marine ship during WWII (although not in the arctic region that I know of). His ships were wrecked three times, yet he managed to survive. He didn't talk too much about what he went through, yet it was evident that he was deeply troubled by what he saw and went through. After the war, he moved to the US. Decades later, the Norwegian government sent him medals for his service. He through them into a drawer, forgotten until after his death. Seeing this movie gave insight into what he may have experienced. It was beautifully filmed, and well acted. Glad I watched it, yet depressing too.

With a dash of sheer luck, I happened to stumble upon the 2023 movie "Konvoi" (aka "The Arctic Convoy"). Now, I hadn't heard about the movie, nor did I know that it was a Norwegian movie, as the version I had the chance to sit down and watch was titled "The Arctic Convoy".

And I was quite surprised to find out that it was a Norwegian movie, and I was even more impressed by how intense and well-told this movie was. Writers Lars Gudmestad, Harald Rosenløw-Eeg and Christian Siebenherz put together quite a script and storyline for the movie, which is based on actual events. And with it being based on actual events just made the movie all the more impactful.

I have to say that director Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken really impressed me twice over with this movie. This movie just came out of nowhere and left a big impression on me. And it was an amazingly entertaining and enjoyable movie, given its storyline and the cinematography. It felt like I was onboard the vessel with the crew, and that certainly added to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie. But the actors and single actress in the movie really carried it phenomenally. They put on great performances and it was definitely memorable performances that shined on the screen. I was really impressed with the sheer level of talents that participated in the acting here.

Visually then "Konvoi" was great. It was an intense movie, and it was filmed in a very dynamic way, that made it feel like the audience were right there alongside the crew and part of the action.

If you have the opportunity to sit down and watch "Konvoi", then I would wholeheartedly recommend that you do so. I was really impressed and surprised with how this movie played out and what it turned out to be.

Norwegian cinema really has churned out some interesting movies over the recent years.

My rating of "Konvoi" lands on a most well-deserved seven out of ten stars.

Piloting boats and being seaman in WW2 was an extremely dangerous job. This film encapsulates entirely how dangerous this job is. To the most extreme horrors of merchant shipping life.

The only annoyance in the movie is the sheer lack of cargo in the hold. It is not accurate and otherwise the movie is great with loads of authentic props and a great storyline.

Acting is superb. It really creates emotion and tensions and you can feel that you are a member of the crew. The camerawork is great. You can almost feel the vibrating engine and the deck shaking in your room.

It's got a little CGI but it is done properly and well. I don't know the budget of this movie but I guess it is not a gret deal. It is done well and executed well. The Director is definitely one-to-watch!

A strong effort!

...and have watched enough films to know a good one when I see one. All films, even, The Sound of Music, present at least one conflict and in the lesser movies, that single conflict is always resolved and the ending is happy. There is a good element and a bad element and good guys win.

In more complex films, there are often multiple conflicts with multiple layers of good and bad. The resolution to the conflicts isn't always clear and good vs bad is may be difficult to discern. A resolution to the conflicts may not be evident.

Such is the case in The Arctic Convoy. Don't expect clear cut good vs evil and don't expect to know the "right thing to do."

The story is outstanding. The acting is first rate. Cinematography and special effects are at the least adequate and actually quite good considering the cold, gray arctic backdrop they had to work with. Sound is excellent.

I seldom rate a film over 7 and in this case was tempted to offer a 9 but I haven't slept on it yet so I backed off to an 8. I think most viewers will enjoy it.

The Arctic Convoy delivers a tense, atmospheric look at WWII naval warfare from a fresh, Norwegian perspective. While clearly inspired by Greyhound, it doesn't try to be a copy - instead, it leans into the harsh beauty of the Arctic, the moral weight of command, and the fragile humanity aboard cold steel vessels.

The film focuses on the perilous journey of a convoy heading to Murmansk, constantly under threat from German submarines and bombers. It's less about flashy action, more about survival, tension, and duty. The visuals are impressive for a non-Hollywood production, with solid CGI and a cold, immersive tone. Performances are strong, though character development feels a bit rushed at times.

Yes, it's not Greyhound in terms of polish or pace, but it has heart, grit, and authenticity. If you enjoy war dramas with a slower burn and a focus on atmosphere over spectacle, this one's worth your time.

Verdict: Not a blockbuster, but a chillingly effective naval thriller from the North.