Le cercle Orion

Orions Belte is an exciting thriller from the cold-war period. The actors are good, and the plot is great. The locations is also very important in this movie, and that is something which really creates a realistic atmosphere for the film. Great Norwegian movie (one of the few) from the 80's.

I just watched this movie again for the first time since when it was made, 28 years ago. It's a pretty powerful movie experience in it's genre. In fact, it's one of the best movies I've watched in a long time - a lucky rediscovery.

A compelling story about a ragged freight boat crew, who get tangled up in something sinister. Its cold war era story is properly gritty and believable, there's nothing artificial or glorified about it. It's exciting, and it also has a quite sad side.

The acting is good. The locations are beautiful. The music is unsettling at times. If you're a movie lover and have missed this one, it's time to sit down and discover a hidden gem.

(This review is for the Norwegian version - I've not seen the English version)

A movie based in the arctic Svalbard Islands north of Norway, it's about three small-time crooks seeing something they shouldn't have seen. The movie's story is based on a book by norwegian bestselling author and political radicalist Jon Michelet.

By many consider considered one of the best norwegian movies ever, Orions Belte combines a captivating story, great dramaturgy, awesome cinematography and beautiful music to go with it.

Some would probably find the dialogue "theatrical" or affected, a common critique of norwegian films from this period, but it is probably only noticeable by norwegians, and not really that conspicuous. I think the actors, especially Helge Jordal in leading role, do a great job.

The scenery is just amazingly beautiful, with white icebergs and tall desolate mountain ranges, all very nicely photographed. And Geir Bøhren's synth score is very fitting to the mood of the film, and also beautiful in its own right.

All in all, a movie you absolutely should see if you get the chance.

Well, this is a great movie, why? It's set on Svalbard, in an era where the mining company Store Norske still where on top. Showing how 3 men with a boat took advantage of the tourists that came along with their dumbness. Then they discovered something they shouldnt have. The political meaning between 2 nations, set in a very stratetic place on earth, are given the viewer in a clever way. The atmosphere from Longyearbyen, and the shots from the Huset, are so great, if you know about it's history, or have been there yourself.

The story itself are showing one possible way the norwegian government would try and hide away any possible confrontation with a big bear as the soviet nation in 1985 were. Very believable, sadly enough. The story goes along in a very good pace, and there are plenty of action. Furthermore the story goes on to Oslo, where some new shots of some very known places are shown, alongside a carneval in the middle of Karl Johan street.

A gem to be taken care of for future generations.

(This review is for the Norwegian version of the film.)

This bold thriller made in 1985 surpassed every expectation I had for it, and the great cinematography by Harald Gunnar Paalgard had a big part in that. If your movie takes place in Svalbard, an all around beautiful place, the movie should look damn good, and Orions belte establishes that from the first minute and keeps it going, throughout scenes taking place in and out of Svalbard.

The actors are really good, the characters are a bit cliché but this didn't bother me at all since the movie is very intense once it starts to get going.

And for someone who doesn't have a lot of knowledge about Cold War-era Norway, the dialogue regarding Cold War was very informative, but the constant exposition throughout the first half hour could bore a viewer who knows Norway's history well.

The script doesn't shy away from the 'cold' realism as well, and the movie manages to subvert expectations because of it. Of course, if you can't empathize with the main characters, you can start guessing what happens next but if you are hooked, you'll be surprised in every way.

Action scenes in Orions belte are very well directed as well, much better than its Hollywood counterparts.

This movie is a must-watch if you can handle the slow first half hour and some cliché character traits.