The 12th Man

'The 12th Man' is a gripping, heart wrenching survival story, based on fact. Due to the film being so well made, and brilliant acting by Thomas Gullestad, this was a very difficult watch.

The cinematography is stunning with breathtakingly beautiful scenery. As the film progresses, it almost becomes torture for the viewer, too. Torture from having to endure (and experience) what Jan Baalsrud (Gullestad) went through. Through Gullestad's incredible acting, I felt every inch of agony and pain of his character. It is also beautifully inspirational to see how helpful people can be in desperate times, risking their own lives in the process. Be warned, some scenes are cringe worthy due to their graphic nature.

The film's run time did feel a bit too long, but nevertheless effective in conveying what Baalsrud was going through, having to overcome obstacle upon obstacle over a 2-month period. 'The 12th Man' is an excellent production and fascinating tale, but indeed a difficult watch.

Move over Rambo! Here comes Jan Baalsrud, arguably Norway's greatest WW2 Resistance hero, who I admit to never having heard a thing about, until seeing this movie. The 12th Man is based on his true story of escape and survival from a compromised and failed Norwegian Resistance commando raid in Northern Norway in 1943. He was the only escapee from his squad of twelve and was able to evade capture from the occupying German forces for over two months, despite suffering from frostbite, gangrene from a gun shot wound and snow blindness. His deteriorating physical condition forced him to rely on the assistance of Norwegian patriots. The 12th Man is as much about their stories of helpfulness under fear of German reprisals, as it is about Baalsrud's own amazing wilderness ordeal.

I've seen a few of director Harold Zwart's earlier Hollywood productions, but nothing quite like, or as good as The 12th Man. Apparently the Dutch-born, but Norwegian-raised Zwart, has long sought to do a story about this Norwegian folk-hero, about whom has had books written and a previous film made about his exploits. Baalsrud himself, during his lifetime, was at pains to stress the importance of the help he received from local folk along the journey and this production has clearly aimed to provide those sort of kudos.

"The 12th Man" is also first rate in technical and design aspects, utilising frequently spectacular widescreen location photography of alpine valleys, snow-capped mountain ranges and icy fjords by Geir Hartly Andreassen. I was staggered to find out that Thomas Gullestad who plays the central role of Baalsrud, is normally a hip hop artist and not a trained actor in any professional sense. Though he doesn't have a huge number of lines to rattle off, he is incredibly convincing in demonstrating the enormous physical and psychological challenges Baalsrud had to overcome in surviving situations, he really didn't have any right to survive. Likewise, Irishman Jonathan Rhys Meyers' impressive German-speaking turn as Col. Kurt Stage, the Gestapo officer obsessed with tracking Baalsrud down, provides a villain whose rage simmers under a rigid surface rather than bursting into stereotypical tantrums.

The film is by no means perfect. At a lumbering 135 minutes it's overlong. I feel the imagined delusional scenes and conversations with a ghostly doppelgänger are just overkill. Similarly the extended sequences of confinement in his ice cave and "The Hotel Savoy" could have been much more tightly edited, rather than being allowed to drag on to the point of near tedium. However for those sticking around to the end, I have to say that the crossing into neutral Sweden is brilliantly conceived and choreographed, supposedly (just about) true and incredibly emotionally uplifting. It even almost makes some sense given the part of the world in which it took place. The 12th Man is well worth a look.

The whole family went to see this film. We had high hopes for it. Neither of us was disappointed. Its a brutal story, told like the soldier who went through the ordeal wanted it to be told.

It has been made before, different title. (9 lives, 9 liv) Jan Bålsrud did not like that version because he did not see himself as a hero. He felt the people who helped him was the heroes. That film received an academy nomination for best foreign film

The helpers really are the story here. The role of Jan Bålsrud played by Thomas Gulestad is potrayed brilliant and brutal.

I like Harald Zwart, brilliant underrated filmmaker.

I suspect based on some of the reviews people have come to this film expecting a classic tale of espionage and war.

On the surface this is indeed a film that takes place during WWII. That said, more than anything else this is a tale of survival and endurance in the face of overwhelming odds. What makes it a little more interesting is indeed the fact the key protagonist must confront both nature and a determined human enemy.

The pacing of this film which has accumulated a lot of criticism reflects its survivalist emphasis. Its a slow, thoughtful film, that in terms of cinematography is really quite beautiful, in a rugged, snowbound way. The human interest component that makes up much of the difference offers up an insight into a how people draw on an indefinable "something" within themselves with faced with a harrowing series of events.

I enjoyed this film. Its well acted, directed and in its own way its very heartfelt. It looks at war for the tragedy that it is and does not shy away from expressing, in very raw terms, the horror that conflict between people evokes but also the decency and human spirit of those who help others at great personal risk.

9/10 from me.

This came up first in my Netflix list so I decided to have a look. I am so glad I did. This is one of the best films I've seen for ages. It is graphic, violent at times, harrowing, nail biting (in more ways than one), heart rending, heart warming; but overall inspiring.

It is very realistic and is well acted by everyone. The lead roles are excellent and very convincing. That it is a true story is mind blowing. I was absorbed in the film from the start and it just got better.

It is different than most war films I have seen, quite a low key production, but it tells this story in a way that takes you right into the conflict. You can't help but feel for the characters involved and marvel at their resilience and bravery. It will have you cringing and crying and watching mouth opened.

I was blown away by it. Very very highly recommended.

I can't believe I have not come across it before. I guess being Norwegian and subtitled it just staying the background of mainstream blockbusters, but for me it was a marvel.

I am so glad I watched it. It inspired me, moved me and educated me.

There was just one thing I wanted at the end, that was not to be, but that's real life I guess.