A gripping Norwegian war film that sheds light on a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter of World War Two is now captivating audiences on Netflix. Narvik, which dramatises the Battle of Narvik, has earned a rare and impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with fans and critics hailing it as a 'thrilling' masterpiece that 'deserves all the love'.
A Norwegian Perspective on Global Conflict
Released on Netflix in January 2023, the 2022 film Narvik offers a fresh viewpoint on the war, moving beyond the familiar stories of British and American soldiers. Directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg and starring Kristine Hartgen and Carl Martin Eggesbø, the movie zeroes in on the Battle of Narvik in 1940 and the subsequent German occupation of Norway.
The film powerfully juxtaposes large-scale military action with the intimate, personal struggles of civilians. It follows the fictional story of soldier Gunnar Tofte and his wife Ingrid, who works as a translator and is forced to make impossible choices under occupation. This dual narrative highlights the devastating impact of war on both the front lines and the home front.
Critical Acclaim and Audience Reaction
While acknowledged as a challenging watch, the film's perfect critical score speaks volumes. Reviews on the aggregator site praise its unique perspective and emotional power.
One enthusiastic fan wrote that Narvik is a 'thrilling, crowd-pleasing war picture' that deserves even more recognition than the acclaimed All Quiet on the Western Front. Another viewer championed the need for more diverse World War Two narratives, stating, 'There should be so many more ww2 movies from the perspective of other countries.'
Many were so absorbed by the story that the Norwegian dialogue and subtitles became secondary. A third review noted, 'Great movie and I don't even speak Dutch. Yes the sub titles were on but after a certain point I didn't need them I was so into the movie.'
However, the reception was not universally glowing. A handful of viewers gave the film a single star, with one critic dismissing it as 'boring and bad' and another calling it a 'usual Netflix movie.'
The True Story Behind the Film
Although the central characters are fictional, the historical events of the Battle of Narvik are starkly real. The strategic port town, with a population of just 10,000, was first captured by German forces on 9th April 1940.
This triggered a fierce two-month campaign by Allied forces to reclaim it. After intense fighting, the Allies secured a victory on 28th May 1940, marking a significant moment in the war as Hitler's first substantial land defeat.
Tragically, this triumph was short-lived. The withdrawal of British and French troops to respond to the Nazi invasion of France allowed German forces to recapture Narvik on 8th June. Before the town was heavily bombed, surviving civilians were evacuated by local fishing boats.
To this day, the Battle of Narvik remains the largest ever fought on Norwegian soil. Its legacy is preserved in the Narvik War Museum, opened in 1964, and the visible shipwrecks in the surrounding fjords, which now serve as a poignant visitor attraction.
Narvik, with a runtime of 108 minutes, is available to stream on Netflix now.
