A lone Norwegian freighter braves Nazi U-boats and bombers in a desperate attempt to supply Russian soldiers during World War II. Inspired by real events, The Arctic Convoy shines a deserving spotlight on the heroic civilian sailors who risked death on treacherous open waters. Cargo ships were vital arteries of hope against the Germans but were easy targets for merciless submarines and aerial assault. The Arctic Convoy explores the constant vigilance, fear, and internal strife faced in close quarters and rough seas under duress. Its taut interpersonal drama and well-executed action scenes are admirable. But the film does suffer from sluggish pacing and strained exposition that muddies the runtime.
Captain Skar Plots a Dangerous Course in World War 2
In the summer of 1942, Captain Skar (Anders Baasmo) leads the command ship of a fleet bringing supplies to the Russian front from Iceland to Murmansk. 35 vessels are escorted by British fighters, but Skar has no illusions about what lies ahead. He's got a new first officer, Mørk (Tobias Santelmann), with a questionable record, and a young, inexperienced crew. Skar depends on the trusted skills of Ragnhild (Heidi Ruud Ellingsen), the ship's primary radio officer and lone female sailor. She's sharp, tough as nails, and suffers no fools.
Ragnhild excoriates her back-up, Isaksen (Tord Kinge), for eating pickled herring at the radio desk. The entire bridge now smells like dead fish. Her yelling immediately ceases as alarms wail throughout the ship. The lookout has spotted a U-boat lurking near the convoy. Skar demands an exact location, but it's too late. A ship directly off the bow spectacularly explodes. Skar screams to turn while the British try to bomb a now unseen enemy.
They receive devastating news in the aftermath — allied intelligence has ordered the fighters to retreat. The fleet should scatter to avoid detection. Every ship is now on their own to reach Murmansk. A frightened Mørk begs Skar to return to Iceland. They're sitting ducks without air support. Skar refuses to abandon the mission. The Russians must be resupplied, or the war is lost. He curses Mørk's cowardice and demands full speed ahead. His officers comply but acknowledge the crew cannot learn they have been abandoned.
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Bold Commanders but Generic Side Characters
The Arctic Convoy establishes personality differences as its first priority. Skar and Ragnhild are seemingly cut from a different cloth than Mørk. They have little faith in his ability to command. Skar believes a captain's word is law and must be followed without question. Otherwise, fear and panic would overtake the crew. Mørk, whose harrowing backstory is revealed in the second act, has learned that bravado is foolish. They have a chance to save the crew by turning back, which Skar will not do as long as he draws breath. Their lives are expendable. He calls the ship a floating coffin. This unnerves Mørk and sets the stage for further clashes to come.
Director Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken, known for Norway's 2015 Oscar entry for Best Foreign Film, Returning Home (Å Vende Tilbake), is razor-sharp in a gripping first act that frames the remaining narrative. The ship is alone with its captain and first officer at odds. There's tremendous tension as both primary characters dig in their heels. That begins to dissipate as the focus turns to the ensemble below deck. Dahlsbakken wants to show a slice of life perspective about the ship's inner workings. That makes sense, but the characters sort of blend together.
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You recognize the engineer because he's literally always beside the engine. And the tattooed, crackshot Swede, who mans the deck gun with a distinguishable mustache. Everyone else becomes generic despite having substantial dialogue. Dahlsbakken wants the audience to feel their loss when casualties inevitably mount. That doesn't happen because they weren't easily discernible from the start. Classic war films, like Saving Private Ryan, were able to put names to faces and give even minor supporting roles heft. The script struggles in this regard.
The Adrenaline Rush & History Lesson of The Arctic Convoy
The Arctic Convoy's slick editing and CGI visual effects are instrumental in selling the terror of ocean combat. The ship is akin to a gazelle in an open field with lions and vultures prowling. The Nazis strike from out of nowhere. They wreak havoc from above and below in an instant. Skar and the crew scramble to avoid destruction and return fire. These scenes are an adrenaline rush worth the price of admission. Skar, a strong and capable captain, is not infallible when bombs, torpedoes, and bullets bring hell. Mistakes are made in the fog of war, which gives credence to Mørk's concerns. The line between heroism and self-preservation isn't clearly drawn.
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The Arctic Convoy achieves its goal of honoring those who valiantly served and died at sea. These sailors weren't on battleships or storming beaches, but no less important. They supplied victory under the most arduous circumstances. The Arctic Convoy works as a solid history lesson despite a few lulls and generic supporting characters.
The Arctic Convoy, originally Konvoi, has Norwegian dialogue with English subtitles. A Fantefilm production, it will have a concurrent VOD and limited theatrical window from Magnet Releasing on July 26th. You can rent or buy it on digital platforms like YouTube, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and on Prime Video through the link below:
Watch The Arctic Convoy
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