Nr. 24

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.

Another in a long line of movies about Resistance groups, and yes even Nazis have wives and children who love them, but the question posed by the young student has an easy answer: go talk to somebody who experienced the holocaust from the inside. Sadly the folks who need to see this movie, and ask themselves these questions, won't. The French, Norwegians, Danes, and Low Country citizens were entirely justified in their judgements and actions-and yes, so were the Russians. The real issue confronting the students, and the viewers of this movie, is: what side are you on, and what are you going to do if confronted by the kind of crisis that overwhelmed poor Norway? There's plenty of evidence that there were indeed many captive occupied people, and many "good Germans," who chose to keep their heads down. Fortunately, there are always a few of extraordinary courage and moral certainty. We just have to hope they're around when you need them.

Saw this at a sneak premiere at Bergen Kino tonight (29/10-24) presented by the director and main actor.. This movie tells the story about one of Norways most famous resistance fighter(s) and it does it as well as it could possibly do.

I'm not a person who let my emotions take the best of me but this movie hit me quite hard.

I struggled with not crying in many scenes and the whole movie is a rollercoaster of how a war movie can and should be.

It's based on Gunnar "Kjakan" Sønstebys life during WW2 and the German occupation of Norway.

As a veteran myself, I was stunned by the realism, the choices they had to make and also the moral aspects of the movie.

Is it okay to kill one nazi individual when the consequences are ten or more other Norwegians killed by the nazis as revenge?

Just watch this movie! Truly one of the best Norwegian movies ever made.

And that includes the original "9 liv".

The best Norwegian war movie ever!!!

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.

Subtle, delicate, true Scandinavian style.

A touching real story, presented in a non cliché way.

Went for it on a random Friday night, with zero expectations, but ended up surprisingly engaged ever since the beginning, and eventually sobbing at the end of it.

Sjur Vatne Brean gives a compelling performance and I believe that he managed to embrace successfully the core of Gunnar Sønsteby's personality and show it on screen.

A breath a fresh air on the scene of WWII-themed movies. A must-watch for everyone interested in this part of modern history or just a fan of some good Scandinavian cinema.