A true story about a unique Norwegian-British underground group in WW II
"Suicide Mission" is a Norwegian and British film about an underground group inn World War II that operated between Norway and Scotland. It's a true story based on a book by a former British naval officer and author and historian, David Howarth. The original European release bore the title, "The Shetland Gang," which was similar to the book title, "The Shetland Bus."
The clandestine group of Norwegian sailors used their small fishing boats to ferry refugees from the Nazis across the North Sea to the United Kingdom. On return trips, they smuggled weapons, ammunition and explosives for use by the Norwegian resistance. This film is unique among films about WW II. Several of the members of the actual Shetland Bus play themselves. That includes Leif Larsen, the leader of the group, and 15 others in the cast.
The film may seem slow to those in modern audiences who crave constant action and motion. But, it's a very good look at one of the many civilian underground groups that existed in Europe to thwart Adolph Hitler and the Nazis.
The opening prologue for the film calls the group the Norwegian Naval Independent Unit No 1, and describes the group and its mission. "More than 100 Norwegians and Brits worked together in the Shetland Group. Their job was to keep an open link between occupied Norway and the free world. It can't show every destiny, but we salute them all."
History students, war film buffs, and those who enjoy films of all kinds should find this movie interesting.
The clandestine group of Norwegian sailors used their small fishing boats to ferry refugees from the Nazis across the North Sea to the United Kingdom. On return trips, they smuggled weapons, ammunition and explosives for use by the Norwegian resistance. This film is unique among films about WW II. Several of the members of the actual Shetland Bus play themselves. That includes Leif Larsen, the leader of the group, and 15 others in the cast.
The film may seem slow to those in modern audiences who crave constant action and motion. But, it's a very good look at one of the many civilian underground groups that existed in Europe to thwart Adolph Hitler and the Nazis.
The opening prologue for the film calls the group the Norwegian Naval Independent Unit No 1, and describes the group and its mission. "More than 100 Norwegians and Brits worked together in the Shetland Group. Their job was to keep an open link between occupied Norway and the free world. It can't show every destiny, but we salute them all."
History students, war film buffs, and those who enjoy films of all kinds should find this movie interesting.
- SimonJack
- Jun 25, 2023