Rent The Heroes of Telemark (1965)

A great piece of history, but a poor film ..... - The Heroes of Telemark review by Lee

Having just read a brilliant history book on the real story behind the extraction of heavy water at Vemork, I wanted to watch this film to see the story brought to life on screen, and also to see some of the actual landscape in which the events took place. I was completely disappointed at the way the story had been changed, the historical military facts completely distorted, and the acting really poor !!! My advice would be not to watch this film, but instead to read the book by Neal Bascomb entitled 'The Winter Fortress'.

Norwegian Resistance. - The Heroes of Telemark review by Steve

Rugged action adventure which is a tribute to the Norwegian Resistance during WWII, particularly their sabotage of a heavy water plant implicated in the potential manufacture of Nazi atomic weapons. This kind of memorial was typical of the immediate post war years but is made more spectacular with the use of stunt teams, explosives, Panavison, Technicolor and helicopter shots.

While the events are broadly true, they are distorted to fit the conventions of a popular entertainment. The heroics are not underplayed. Kirk Douglas is a kind of playboy boffin who opens the film getting it on with one of the lab assistants in a darkroom. Soon he is leader of the underground and liaising with London on their perilous, courageous insurrection.

And romancing his ex-wife played by Ulla Jacobson. The corny love story actually detracts from the suspense and too much screen time is wasted trying to make Kirk look like a conventional Hollywood hero. Richard Harris is more credible as his sidekick, a pugnacious and tenacious patriot. Michael Redgrave's peripheral role is bewildering.

The real star of the film is Robert Krasker's widescreen photography of the awesome Norwegian landscape. The missions are exciting and well staged and the history is fascinating. It works as a testimonial to the bravery of the Resistance and the sacrifices of the civilians. It's one of the better war blockbusters of the sixties.