Nove vite

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!

This movie is a true story!

If you are a Norwegian and know your history, you know the enormous sacrifices ordinary Norwegians (sivilians) put them self through throughout the war, but you still may want to know more about Jan Baalsrud (search Wikipedia). MANY like him fought and died with the goal to free Norway.

Another well known Norwegian story from WWII, is the sabotage mission against Norsk Hydro, manufacturing heavy water, to be used by the Germans. Two movies was made:

Norwegian version: "Kampen om Tungtvannet" (1948). The actual saboteurs play the roles themselves. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040504/

American version: "The Heroes of Telemark" (1965). Starring Kirk Douglas. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059263/

For you who may not know what kind of people these movies is about, I will try to explain:

Norwegians has always been a proud population, and have always been known to fight for our freedom. We have our history with Denmark and Sweden, but that is another story. In WWII we were invaded by the Germans. It happened fast. But, we never would except this and civilians got together secretly, often called "Gutta på skauen", in English; "The boys in the woods" - The Resistance Movement", to start to fight against the Germans. Some did minor sabotage jobs and other went to England for further training, and bigger missions.

This movie is based on one of those people, Jan Baalsrud, who went to England for training for missions in Norway.

Directly related to this movie: He and many other Norwegian commandos was on a mission to destroy a German air control tower. Under this time they also tried to recruit for the Norwegian resistance movement. And, it's here the movie begins. One civilian they contact, betrays them, and contact the Nazi's. The mission fails because of this.

Jan Baalsrud survives the failed mission and must escape to Sweden (a neutral country).

This escape IS the movie, and he needs all the lives he can get to survive this trip (that's why it's called "Nine Lives").

It is quite a fantastic and horrible journey, and we get a insight on how much these people are willing to sacrifice (pain/death) to save this man. Jan Baalsrud himself, goes trough as much pain a human being can stand.

I will not tell the story, watch the movie. Just remember, it's a true story!

Verdict:

7/10 for the genuine performance. The movie is a little dated, but still quite watchable.

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 was not the war movie I expected. I figured that since it was about a famous member of the resistance movement, it would be about the sabotage they did, but that's only a small part in the movie's opening. Most of the film is not about the sabotage, but his escape. The enemy is obviously the Nazis, but just as much the fear of Norwegians giving him in, and most of all nature and the elements themselves. This makes for a much more interesting movie than I had anticipated.

That said, this is still an old movie, made in a small country which back then were not famous for their movies. The acting hasn't aged well, and there's some annoying editing that's obviously meant to cover up some difficult sequences. That said, there's also some really nice shots, and they actually went to the trouble of getting actors speaking the right dialects (or, mostly at least!).

This never felt like a very exciting film, but more like a slow, brooding reflection over what people went through during the second world war, and also just how dedicated people can be in helping each other.

It's a no brainer if your aim is to see a Norwegian classic, and it's not a bad choice if you want to see a different ww2-movie.

When walking in my local video shop I saw a copy of this incredible movie. I didn't have high expectations before watching it since Norwegian cinema is, well... But thankfully I was proved mistaken, very mistaken.

The movie is a true story about Jan Baalsrud a Norwegian resistance fighter. It takes place in 1943 in a Nazi occupied Norway. The movie starts of slow, but when something goes horribly wrong all his comrades are killed and Jan must alone find his way to the Swedish border. Along his way hes assisted by many common people. And in the end, the enemy is no longer the Nazis, but the cold nature.

Ni Liv is a tale of mans strength. You can't believe it when you see all Jan went through and if this movie doesn't leave you impressed, very few tings will. It's sad this movie isn't better known because it truly is a masterpiece! I recommend it highly.