Ni liv

The first two Best Foreign Language Film Oscars ever awarded were both won by Italy, through Federico Fellini, for LA STRADA (1954; awarded in 1956) and NIGHTS OF CABIRIA (1957); the other nominees competing against the latter emanated from France (Rene' Clair's GATES OF Paris), two I plan on catching up with presently (from India, Mehboob's MOTHER India and, from Germany, Robert Siodmak's THE DEVIL STRIKES AT NIGHT) and, from Norway, the film under review. Incredibly enough, Ingmar Bergman's art-house phenomenon THE SEVENTH SEAL was unsuccessfully submitted for Oscar consideration! Incidentally, NINE LIVES was also entered in that year's Cannes Film Festival where it rubbed shoulders with (among others) Mikhail Kalatazov's eventual Palme D'Or winner THE CRANES ARE FLYING, Jacques Tati's MON ONCLE (1958) and prestigious Hollywood fare like THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV (1958) and THE LONG HOT SUMMER (1958).

While the film's title and heritage might suggest a historical chronicle of some tragic national expedition, the story actually deals with a real-life WWII manhunt for a Norwegian spy – engaged with the English forces on an obscure sabotage mission of which he is the only survivor – on his way to sanctuary in neutral Sweden. The film starts with the dispatching of Jan Baalsrud's ten comrades-in-arms during a skirmish with a German patrol boat. Soon enough, our protagonist is on the run from the Nazis while facing the harsh natural elements of the Norwegian snowscape. Despite the inherent danger to themselves, the local communities (especially a young family and an elderly schoolteacher) he comes in contact with all go out of their way to help the heroic fugitive. In fact, the title is a specific reference to Baalsrud's feline-like penchant for survival against all odds: going snowblind; hacking off his own frostbitten toes; being literally entombed in snow for several weeks, etc.

For the most part, the treatment is pretty matter-of-fact (and no less effective for that) with the only stylistic flourishes on display being the intermittent fast cutting whenever impending danger ensues, the repeated panning suggesting the upward direction of the flight and a striking ellipsis that goes from a man picking up the receiver to 'rat' on the hero and his comrades to a ship's cannon firing at their boat; however, there is also some confusion here as well: they are shown being shot at as they reach land – presumably in a flashforward – followed by them still out at sea! For the record, this might well be the first Norwegian film I have watched and, as far as I know, the only other one I own is the intriguing horror film LAKE OF THE DEAD (1958)...

One of the most astonishing and enthralling true adventure stories ever put to the screen It begins with an ambushed commando raid which leaves all but one of the expatriate resistance fighters dead or captured. Though he too has been shot,that one survivor, Jan Baalsrud, takes off on a courageous, incredible trek into the wilds of the Lyngen Alps. The Nazis pursue him relentlessly; he suffers frostbite and snow blindness, a terrible fall in an avalanche; at last,delirious and near death he chances on a cabin where the first of a series of remarkably brave and clever men and women come to his aid. These `ordinary heroes' will eventually get the crippled Baalsrud to safety and freedom, and the amazing story of how they do it, and of how Baalsrud lives through the doing. It fill us with admiration and wonder at what the human spirit is capable of. Most highly recommended indeed.

The very best there is. When you absolutely, positively got to see a great survival movie, accept no substitutes. I've seen this movie 4 times. i never grow weary of it, because to this day it still entertains the hell out of me. the superb direction and supreme thrills made this movie stand the test of time. 50 years since it's release, it has a strong following of fans that love this movie for all that its worth. i would be heartbroken if i didn't have this movie in my DVD collection! every movie collector should have this, because it is really one of a kind! Jack Fjeldstad portrays Jan Baalsrud in a truly great fashion. The movie was nominated for an Oscar in 1958, but lost to "Notti di Cabiria, Le" (1957). i haven't seen it. but to win over "Ni Liv", it has to be great!

Ni Liv is based on a true story. We follow Jan Baalsrud on his dramatic escape from the Germans after a sabotage-mission. Being the only survivor, he has to flee across the Norwegian mountains to Sweden. He encounters different people and hard weather conditions during his incredible journey.

Director Arne Skouen has created a unique experience of a film. It is a celebration of the human spirit and a tale of incredible courage. The visual style of the film is at a level never seen in Norwegian film before (or after). Jack Fjellstad also delivers a great performance in the leading role. The traces of on stage acting, witch is common in Norwegian film, are completely erased.

In short. This is a highly imaginative and wonderful film not to be missed.

My rating :***1/2 out of ****.

This film is a biopic based on the daring escape made by norwegian resistance fighter Jan Baalsrud. Baalsrud encountered everything from, frostbite, snowblindness, heavily armed German troops, snowstorms etc on his way to neutral Sweden.

This film is very much a traditional, heroic, depiction of Baalsrud and his escape but it's entertaining with amazing nature scenes, fastpaced action, and some very daring stunts that most have been very dangerous in 1957.

The film does not focus on too much depth, characters etc and it doesn't need too because the action is enough. Jack Fjeldstad who plays Jan Baalsrud is good and there are some scenes here that requires a lot of emotional acting that easily could've become ridiculous but Jack Fjeldstad uses some subtlety in order to convey these emotions.

The rest of cast does a good job too but only serves their purpose to drive the film forward. The most impressive part of this film is the action, just like Max Manus (2008)it gives the viewer a fun ride.

The biggest difference and flaw is that Ni liv (1957)does not have that darker undertones that Max Manus (2008)have, nor do we get to know Jan Baalsrud as much as we do in Max Manus (2008).

But if you are looking for a entertaining chasefilm during WW2 in the snowy mountain area in Norway then this film is the first you should see. Also if you liked The Great Escape (1963), First Blood (1982) etc can expect a good experience.

Oddly, this film has been totally unknown to me, as far as I know never been mention on Swedish TV, magazines, etc. It's shame because this film needs a good DVD edition with lots of extras.

While watching this I ask myself why nobody has done any films about Swedish volounteers during WW2? There are some like,Allan Mann, Erik G:son Lewenhaupt, Gustav Lönnbergh etc who was decorated and fought on various fronts. It would be nice to see at least a documentary about these guys but alas, no such luck.