Kon-Tiki (1950)

A documentary about the Kon-Tiki expedition of the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl.

Director:

Thor Heyerdahl

Writer:

Thor Heyerdahl

Stars:

Thor Heyerdahl, Herman Watzinger, Erik Hesselberg

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Thor Heyerdahl	...	Himself - Narrator (Scandinavian, US versions)
Herman Watzinger	...	Himself
Erik Hesselberg	...	Himself
Knut Haugland	...	Himself
Torstein Raaby	...	Himself
Bengt Danielsson	...	Himself
Ben Grauer	...	Narrator (US introductory sequence) (voice)

Storyline

"Kon-Tiki" was the name of a wooden raft used by six Scandinavian scientists, led by Thor Heyerdahl, to make a 101-day journey from South America to the Polynesian Islands. The purpose of the expedition was to prove Heyerdal's theory that the Polynesian Islands were populated from the east---specifically Peru---rather than from the west (Asia)as had been the theory for hundreds of years. Heyerdahl made a study of the winds and tides in the Pacific, and by simulating conditions as closely as possible to those he theorized the Peruvians encountered, set out on the voyage.

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Plot Keywords:

island | polynesian | theory | expedition | scandinavian | 

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Taglines:

SIX MEN ON A RAFT ACROSS THE PACIFIC! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Official Sites:

Kon-tiki [no]- research, museum, expeditions

Country:

Norway Sweden

Language:

Norwegian

Release Date:

13 January 1950 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Das größte Abenteuer unserer Tage KON-TIKI

Filming Locations:

Peru

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artfilm, Janson Media, Sol Lesser Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The 77-minute movie originally premiered in Stockholm on January 13th 1950. It was released on DVD (Region 1) by Janson Media in 2001 (some sites say 2006) and includes an English soundtrack. Some versions are 124 minutes and include these special features: Thor Heyerdahl: Explorer & Scientist, Photo Gallery, Expedition Map, and Rare Color Footage

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Connections

Spoofed in Tiny Toon Adventures: Kon Ducki (1992)

User Reviews

Forget Jaws or Cast Away!

Very well done film documenting the ultimate adventure. Heyerdahl and his team sail across the Pacific ocean on a wooden raft to prove the thesis that South American Indians took the same route and settled in the Polynesian Islands, long before Columbus discovered America. I'm curious to know where Heyerdahl's thesis stands today. The documentary is pretty good, considering the limited equipment that the crew had to work with. It's nevertheless riveting most of the time. I would be scared to death to be in the unknown like they were. At the same time, it's the ultimate adventure!

Seen at home, in Toronto, on April 26th, 2005.

87/100 (***½)