Le cercle Orion

(This review is for the Norwegian version of the film.)

This bold thriller made in 1985 surpassed every expectation I had for it, and the great cinematography by Harald Gunnar Paalgard had a big part in that. If your movie takes place in Svalbard, an all around beautiful place, the movie should look damn good, and Orions belte establishes that from the first minute and keeps it going, throughout scenes taking place in and out of Svalbard.

The actors are really good, the characters are a bit cliché but this didn't bother me at all since the movie is very intense once it starts to get going.

And for someone who doesn't have a lot of knowledge about Cold War-era Norway, the dialogue regarding Cold War was very informative, but the constant exposition throughout the first half hour could bore a viewer who knows Norway's history well.

The script doesn't shy away from the 'cold' realism as well, and the movie manages to subvert expectations because of it. Of course, if you can't empathize with the main characters, you can start guessing what happens next but if you are hooked, you'll be surprised in every way.

Action scenes in Orions belte are very well directed as well, much better than its Hollywood counterparts.

This movie is a must-watch if you can handle the slow first half hour and some cliché character traits.

Orions Belte is an exciting thriller from the cold-war period. The actors are good, and the plot is great. The locations is also very important in this movie, and that is something which really creates a realistic atmosphere for the film. Great Norwegian movie (one of the few) from the 80's.

I loved this movie.My mother picked it up at random at a yard sale.Lucky me! The scenery was beautiful.That was my favorite part of the film. I want to go to Norway now. The story isn't exceptionally special, but very interesting.After a somewhat slow start, it keeps a fast pace right up until the last minute. Also, the "slow start" wasn't boring at all, in my opinion.It did have a "TV Movie" feel to it.There isn't terrific acting or special effects, just solid all-around entertainment.The acting was good enough. It was one of those movies where I was disappointed to see it end. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in the arctic circle.

Well, this is a great movie, why? It's set on Svalbard, in an era where the mining company Store Norske still where on top. Showing how 3 men with a boat took advantage of the tourists that came along with their dumbness. Then they discovered something they shouldnt have. The political meaning between 2 nations, set in a very stratetic place on earth, are given the viewer in a clever way. The atmosphere from Longyearbyen, and the shots from the Huset, are so great, if you know about it's history, or have been there yourself.

The story itself are showing one possible way the norwegian government would try and hide away any possible confrontation with a big bear as the soviet nation in 1985 were. Very believable, sadly enough. The story goes along in a very good pace, and there are plenty of action. Furthermore the story goes on to Oslo, where some new shots of some very known places are shown, alongside a carneval in the middle of Karl Johan street.

A gem to be taken care of for future generations.

This film I saw when I was very young about 12 and it scared me. Now 9 years later it still scares me as a thriller. It is unlike normal Norwegian films. This is probably the best Norwegian movie of all time. I think it portrays the Norwegian-Russian (Soviet) relationship during the Cold war in a very believable way. And other aspects of the film make us go along with it.

Good Stuff!!