Snow Treasure

When I was in 5th grade, we read "Snow Treasure" as a class reading. A was-it-true-or-not story of how children in Nazi-occupied Norway helped smuggle gold bullion out of the country, it was a pretty interesting book. I then decided to watch the movie based on it. The movie underwhelmed me. James Franciscus, as one of the Nazis, made the movie watchable, but they could have done more with the movie. The best scene was when Franciscus' character tells the townspeople that they have to obey the Nazis' orders "...for your own good." Obviously, that's the fascist philosophy: impose rules on everyone, and tell them that it's for their own good. But overall, the movie didn't end up being what it could have been.

If someone made this movie well, it would be very popular. There are so many opportunities in the story for great dramatic pauses, something I love in a movie. Haven't seen this version, but the book was as superb as stated. Great story for anyone of any age.

This story reminds me of "The Man in the Box" a dramatic book about a Vietnam POW and his trials written back in the early 70s I think. Its another story any adult should look at and Hollywood too I feel.

This is probably the poorest screen version of a book ever produced. It is hard to tell that it's the same story. During the beginning titles it says "based on---." Maybe based on one or two pages of the book. Taken by itself the film is not bad for kids, but reading the book would be a lot more worthwhile.

Of good intentions the hell is full, it's an old saying that applies in this picture, based on best seller novel that sold one million copies, the filmmakers envisage a huge box office making this auspicious movie, unfortunately a wrong approaching, lame screenplay also a dreadful soundtrack spoil the whole thing, to certify my thoughts take a look in lowest numbers of ratings on main page just measly 85 and worst just 6 reviews including my own.

I had watched in far off 1980 when was a teenager, the plot summarized is about a true fact took place at Norway during Nazi-takeover on this peaceful country, previously the Norway's government hidden a gold bars in a cave aiming for it didn't caught in Nazi hands and hoping send this gold to allies at British islands to help the war effort against the Hitler, nonetheless the matter entails how transport this gold without the Nazi army notice, due resistance members already are in jail or concealed in several places, thus the kids would be a solution, the hard assignment will be done by a dozen them, taking a lunch bag one bar each skiing from the cave until near shore where they let the gold disguised a snowman.

The producers bring one star only James Franciscus to play a Nazi officer who in in charge to translate to local citizens the Commander's orders, a kind of friendly guy, even the occupiers weren't welcome there by Norwegian whatsoever, due all schools were taken to be use by Nazi force, the Lt. H. Kalasch (Franciscus) seeing those kids skiing enqueued he wondering how solve this issue backing them to study on the local church in charge of gorgeous Bente Nielsen (Ilona Rodgers) reluctant by the way, meanwhile the Kid's leader Peter (Paul Austad) often has been faced the young teacher, didn't accepting her teachings.

Aware that Lt. H. Kalasch intervened spoke to Peter use your brain instead disregard the girl and the study as well, henceforth between Lt H. Kalasch and Peter will slowing grow up a mutual self-respect even the Officer being an enemy, something underneath says to Peter trust him, in the meantime an undercover small ship cargo was docked waiting for last bars to head to British Islands as soon as possible, however the smart Lt. H. Kalasch is lurking around.

How I've explained above the picture didn't got the target, let it see easily if the audience be patient and don't sleep along the slow movie, had a fine premise, starting well, going down in the middle, enhancing in the end reasonable, even so it bring me good memories from the early eighties.

Thanks for reading.

Resume:

First watch: 1980 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-Youtube / Rating: 6.

Brief synopsis: Norwegian children smuggle gold out of Norway under the noses of the occupying Germans.

It's a kids movie and the theme is somewhat outdated for today's youth, but its watchable and enjoyable. I can't really give it any special recommendations as the acting is very mediocre and if you have read the book, you'll notice major deviations. The main plot is intact however.

If you like seeing the Nazis made fools of (not a hard thing to do) you may like this title.

This movie was released on video at one time.