The Arctic Convoy

If you liked Das Boot, you'll love The Arctic Convoy!

This film was riveting from beginning to end and had me on the edge of my seat.

Casting and performances were first rate, as was the cinematography, and timing.

Based on a true story- 23 out of 35 merchant ships were sunk during Convoy PQ 17!

While he did not take part in any of the WW2 convoys, my father served in the merchant marine in the 1930s sailing through Arctic waters and often told me about the bitter cold and fear of ice.

Combine that with the threat from German planes and U-boats, and the real world voyage must have been very traumatic!

Highly recommended!

With a dash of sheer luck, I happened to stumble upon the 2023 movie "Konvoi" (aka "The Arctic Convoy"). Now, I hadn't heard about the movie, nor did I know that it was a Norwegian movie, as the version I had the chance to sit down and watch was titled "The Arctic Convoy".

And I was quite surprised to find out that it was a Norwegian movie, and I was even more impressed by how intense and well-told this movie was. Writers Lars Gudmestad, Harald Rosenløw-Eeg and Christian Siebenherz put together quite a script and storyline for the movie, which is based on actual events. And with it being based on actual events just made the movie all the more impactful.

I have to say that director Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken really impressed me twice over with this movie. This movie just came out of nowhere and left a big impression on me. And it was an amazingly entertaining and enjoyable movie, given its storyline and the cinematography. It felt like I was onboard the vessel with the crew, and that certainly added to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie. But the actors and single actress in the movie really carried it phenomenally. They put on great performances and it was definitely memorable performances that shined on the screen. I was really impressed with the sheer level of talents that participated in the acting here.

Visually then "Konvoi" was great. It was an intense movie, and it was filmed in a very dynamic way, that made it feel like the audience were right there alongside the crew and part of the action.

If you have the opportunity to sit down and watch "Konvoi", then I would wholeheartedly recommend that you do so. I was really impressed and surprised with how this movie played out and what it turned out to be.

Norwegian cinema really has churned out some interesting movies over the recent years.

My rating of "Konvoi" lands on a most well-deserved seven out of ten stars.

While a huge improvement over movies like Kampen om Narvik, it is obvious that this movie got rewritten several times and changed direction. While the movie still manages to have a grip on the audience in terms of suspense, some of its plot points do not hold up well. It seems the movie went from the idea of a captivating war movie to budget restraints, forcing the movie makers to focus on interpersonal differences between the captain and his crew. That is something i feel detracts from the story, and it also is writing that has been done to death in other movies like Crimson tide. All in all, if you want to see a bit of WWII action, watch this, but if you rather would like something more believable and historically more accurate, then watch Krigsseileren any day over this.

The Arctic Convoy delivers a tense, atmospheric look at WWII naval warfare from a fresh, Norwegian perspective. While clearly inspired by Greyhound, it doesn't try to be a copy - instead, it leans into the harsh beauty of the Arctic, the moral weight of command, and the fragile humanity aboard cold steel vessels.

The film focuses on the perilous journey of a convoy heading to Murmansk, constantly under threat from German submarines and bombers. It's less about flashy action, more about survival, tension, and duty. The visuals are impressive for a non-Hollywood production, with solid CGI and a cold, immersive tone. Performances are strong, though character development feels a bit rushed at times.

Yes, it's not Greyhound in terms of polish or pace, but it has heart, grit, and authenticity. If you enjoy war dramas with a slower burn and a focus on atmosphere over spectacle, this one's worth your time.

Verdict: Not a blockbuster, but a chillingly effective naval thriller from the North.

Piloting boats and being seaman in WW2 was an extremely dangerous job. This film encapsulates entirely how dangerous this job is. To the most extreme horrors of merchant shipping life.

The only annoyance in the movie is the sheer lack of cargo in the hold. It is not accurate and otherwise the movie is great with loads of authentic props and a great storyline.

Acting is superb. It really creates emotion and tensions and you can feel that you are a member of the crew. The camerawork is great. You can almost feel the vibrating engine and the deck shaking in your room.

It's got a little CGI but it is done properly and well. I don't know the budget of this movie but I guess it is not a gret deal. It is done well and executed well. The Director is definitely one-to-watch!

A strong effort!