Nr. 24

Nice movie with a flair of documentary. >90% of the content is a movie but a minority of the time there is a very nice interplay with the real man who is represented in the movie. It makes it very very personal and you see the seriousness of war and having been in the Norwegian resistance. It is very nicely written up and the story is solid and filmography is good. The only thing I missed is how the person went to London from occupied Norway. That has been left out at one of the most exiting part of the movie. It left the story a bit incomplete although it would not have added anything to the messsge of freedom which seemed to be paramount to the makers of the movie.

This was surprisingly good! Seeing it was coming, I was like "Right, another movie that's only there to one-dimensionally worship a Norwegian war hero, so that we can feel like the good guys."

Well, for one thing, it's kind of hard to avoid with Sønsteby, as the facts show he _was_ a hero in a lot of ways. And yet he gets thoroughly challenged in the present-day part of the narrative. This provides important nuance. The Resistance reportedly killed 82 of their own countrymen. Maybe it's naive to think there was a good (enough) reason in each case.

This movie has at least 3 things going for it: First of all, suspenseful pacing - you're not bored for a second.

Second of all, the lead actors, especially for young Sønsteby. Sjur Vatne Brean. What a talent, and what perfect casting! It's ironic, because Sønsteby survived partly by being inconspicuous and in control of his emotions. However, that wouldn't work on the big screen. Brean is good-looking and charismatic, and an actor can't be stone-faced.

He is still very believable as a man of integrity and authority, while his face shows the toll it all takes on him.

You'd be forgiven for wondering if he ever considered dropping the sixpence - in the movie universe, all the Nazis really had to do was look for the only guy who wears a sixpence all the damn time! Inside and outside, in cafés, offices... In real life it was commonwear; in the movie I don't remember seeing anyone else wearing one!

Again, though, in a movie you have to establish the lead character. The silhouette with the sixpence is iconic. His trademark. If not every Norwegian instantly recognized it before this movie, they will now. And who knows, maybe it will become a symbol of resistance, freedom, and democracy again, in the times we might have ahead.

Third of all, the movie is smartly plotted, with a nice twist that ties back to the beginning, while at the same time touching on the movie's central theme. This sets it apart from the typical biopic or war movie.

It's nice to have someone and something to believe in, especially in our uneasy times. This movie reminded me of that. And the hero doesn't need to be perfect for that, just believable in his qualities.

Resistance in the face of tyranny is one of those topics that can make for truly great filmmaking, especially when the subject is timely (as many would contend it is currently). And the latest offering from director John Andreas Andersen serves up an inspiring and engaging tale in that vein. The film follows the experience of Norwegian resistance fighter Gunnar Sønsteby (1918-2012) (Sjur Vatne Brean) in his courageous efforts to take on Nazi invaders who took over his homeland during World War II. Working under the code name Number 24 with a band of longtime friends under the direction of British special forces and the Norwegian government in exile in the UK, Sønsteby coordinated and led an array of raids on German assets in Norway, often at great risk and tremendous personal cost. He also frequently found himself wrestling with his conscience, especially when it came to confronting fellow countrymen who had become Third Reich collaborators, including some individuals he knew personally. Sønsteby's heroic exploits are presented through a series of flashbacks delivered through a lecture given to students at his alma mater in which his elder self (Erik Hivju) details a variety of these wartime incidents and attempts to answer probing questions from young audience members seeking to understand his motivations and intents in carrying out this mission. The film thus examines the conflicted feelings that he and other peace-loving Norwegians had to contend with at a time when their lives, freedoms and national sovereignty were very much on the line. Andersen does a highly capable job in telling the story of this much-celebrated national hero, even if the narrative is somewhat episodic at times, particularly in picture's sometimes-meandering opening half hour. Nevertheless, "Number 24" effectively relates an aspect of World War II little known outside of Scandinavia, letting the world know of the bravery of a civil society that rose to the occasion when their liberty and autonomy were threatened in the face of brutal, unrelenting treachery. It's a lesson we should all take to heart, especially when these conditions loom and place us in a position of vulnerability. Indeed, we should all take heed of the message of this important cautionary tale.

I have seen countless World War II-focused films. Let's just say, I watch virtually anything and everything that is released that features World War II stories.

So I would say that Number 24 is not your standard Second World War film. In stumbling upon this picture on Netflix, I never anticipated that I would come away feeling that Number 24 was one of the most compelling World War II films I have ever seen.

Number 24 brilliantly presents the most challenging of moral dilemmas that so often face combatants in war, especially a war as horrific as World War II.

For those who appreciate World War II films, I offer Number 24 my highest recommendation.

Bravo.

"Number 24" is a deeply moving Norwegian film that dives into a war-torn environment, where notions of resistance, freedom, and the sacred duty of liberation clash with the equally profound values of friendship and the ultimate sanctity of human life. It's a story that doesn't offer easy answers but instead asks us to sit with the complexities of human choices in impossible situations.

The audience is drawn into a delicate and artful struggle of emotions, questioning the very nature of what is right and wrong. This subjectivity feels especially raw in the chaos of war, where morality becomes fluid and every decision carries immense weight.

With breathtaking performances and stunning cinematography, the film portrays the harshness of its setting while highlighting the fragile beauty of human connection. It's a story that stays with you, making you reflect on what truly matters when ideals and lives are on the line.

A must-watch for anyone who appreciates emotionally charged storytelling that challenges the mind and touches the heart.