Le rescapé

The first two Best Foreign Language Film Oscars ever awarded were both won by Italy, through Federico Fellini, for LA STRADA (1954; awarded in 1956) and NIGHTS OF CABIRIA (1957); the other nominees competing against the latter emanated from France (Rene' Clair's GATES OF Paris), two I plan on catching up with presently (from India, Mehboob's MOTHER India and, from Germany, Robert Siodmak's THE DEVIL STRIKES AT NIGHT) and, from Norway, the film under review. Incredibly enough, Ingmar Bergman's art-house phenomenon THE SEVENTH SEAL was unsuccessfully submitted for Oscar consideration! Incidentally, NINE LIVES was also entered in that year's Cannes Film Festival where it rubbed shoulders with (among others) Mikhail Kalatazov's eventual Palme D'Or winner THE CRANES ARE FLYING, Jacques Tati's MON ONCLE (1958) and prestigious Hollywood fare like THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV (1958) and THE LONG HOT SUMMER (1958).

While the film's title and heritage might suggest a historical chronicle of some tragic national expedition, the story actually deals with a real-life WWII manhunt for a Norwegian spy – engaged with the English forces on an obscure sabotage mission of which he is the only survivor – on his way to sanctuary in neutral Sweden. The film starts with the dispatching of Jan Baalsrud's ten comrades-in-arms during a skirmish with a German patrol boat. Soon enough, our protagonist is on the run from the Nazis while facing the harsh natural elements of the Norwegian snowscape. Despite the inherent danger to themselves, the local communities (especially a young family and an elderly schoolteacher) he comes in contact with all go out of their way to help the heroic fugitive. In fact, the title is a specific reference to Baalsrud's feline-like penchant for survival against all odds: going snowblind; hacking off his own frostbitten toes; being literally entombed in snow for several weeks, etc.

For the most part, the treatment is pretty matter-of-fact (and no less effective for that) with the only stylistic flourishes on display being the intermittent fast cutting whenever impending danger ensues, the repeated panning suggesting the upward direction of the flight and a striking ellipsis that goes from a man picking up the receiver to 'rat' on the hero and his comrades to a ship's cannon firing at their boat; however, there is also some confusion here as well: they are shown being shot at as they reach land – presumably in a flashforward – followed by them still out at sea! For the record, this might well be the first Norwegian film I have watched and, as far as I know, the only other one I own is the intriguing horror film LAKE OF THE DEAD (1958)...

This film is a biopic based on the daring escape made by norwegian resistance fighter Jan Baalsrud. Baalsrud encountered everything from, frostbite, snowblindness, heavily armed German troops, snowstorms etc on his way to neutral Sweden.

This film is very much a traditional, heroic, depiction of Baalsrud and his escape but it's entertaining with amazing nature scenes, fastpaced action, and some very daring stunts that most have been very dangerous in 1957.

The film does not focus on too much depth, characters etc and it doesn't need too because the action is enough. Jack Fjeldstad who plays Jan Baalsrud is good and there are some scenes here that requires a lot of emotional acting that easily could've become ridiculous but Jack Fjeldstad uses some subtlety in order to convey these emotions.

The rest of cast does a good job too but only serves their purpose to drive the film forward. The most impressive part of this film is the action, just like Max Manus (2008)it gives the viewer a fun ride.

The biggest difference and flaw is that Ni liv (1957)does not have that darker undertones that Max Manus (2008)have, nor do we get to know Jan Baalsrud as much as we do in Max Manus (2008).

But if you are looking for a entertaining chasefilm during WW2 in the snowy mountain area in Norway then this film is the first you should see. Also if you liked The Great Escape (1963), First Blood (1982) etc can expect a good experience.

Oddly, this film has been totally unknown to me, as far as I know never been mention on Swedish TV, magazines, etc. It's shame because this film needs a good DVD edition with lots of extras.

While watching this I ask myself why nobody has done any films about Swedish volounteers during WW2? There are some like,Allan Mann, Erik G:son Lewenhaupt, Gustav Lönnbergh etc who was decorated and fought on various fronts. It would be nice to see at least a documentary about these guys but alas, no such luck.

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 ****.

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.

After having watched the 2017 movie "The 12th Man" about the mythical figure of Jan Baalsrud and his struggle for survival at the limits of human endurance, I wanted to see this 1957 film on the same topic, of which "The 12th Man" is an obvious remake.

In both movies, undoubtedly the most interesting aspects are the snowy landscapes, of spectacular beauty, and the photography that perfectly captures the magical atmosphere of these desolate mountains. One in dramatic black and white and the more recent one in stunning color photography. Filming in snowy landscapes with a predominance of pure white snow is undoubtedly a challenging and very difficult task.

Furthermore, the movie, aside from the underlying story, is rather flat and at times boring. However, the monotony of the unchanging landscapes and the days passing one after another can't help but be boring. In this aspect, the film succeeds in conveying this general sense of boredom, which here appears to be intentionally sought.

In terms of narrative, there are some consistency errors, and it's not very clear how, despite the protagonist's continuous movements, he always seems to be in the same cave.

It should also be noted that in terms of the use of weapons and explosives, the movie lacks credibility, and it doesn't seem like there was any expert in the field consulted. Jan shoots his pistol in such an unnatural way that it detracts from the credibility, especially in those sequences where the film breaks away from its monotonous tone for climactic moments.

Clearly, it's a low-budget film. In fact, the main episode of the film, the sinking of the ship, is not visualized in the film. On the other hand, it is an experimental cinematography, relying more on visuals than narrative, which makes it an interesting film for its time and, in some way, a hallmark of Nordic filmmaking, which thrives on silence rather than extensive dialogues.