Ni liv (1957)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Arne Skouen

Writers:

David Howarth (book)
Arne Skouen (writer)

Release Date:

11 November 1957 (Sweden)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Adventure | Thriller | War

Tagline:

The Most Exciting True Escape Story Ever Filmed!

Plot:

The movie takes place during World War II and depicts the true story of Jan Baalsruds amazing escape...

Plot Keywords:

German | Norway | Escape | Story | Snow

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Jack Fjeldstad	...	Jan Baalsrud
Henny Moan	...	Agnes
Alf Malland	...	Martin
Joachim Holst-Jensen	...	Bestefar
Lydia Opøien	...	Jordmoren
Edvard Drabløs	...	Skolelæreren
Sverre Hansen	...	Skomakeren
Rolf Søder	...	Sigurd Eskeland
Ottar Wicklund	...	Henrik
Olav Nordrå	...	Konrad
Alf Ramsøy	...	Ivar, kjelketrekker
Jens Bolling	...	Alfred, kjelketrekker
Per Bronken	...	Ole, kjelketrekker
Grete Nordrå	...	Stenografen
Lillebil Nordrum	...	Sykepleiersken

Also Known As:

Nine Lives (USA)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

Norway

Language:

Norwegian

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Troms, Norway

Company:

Nordsjøfilm

Trivia:

In 1991 Norwegian television-viewers voted this the best Norwegian movie ever made.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in De reddet hans liv (1988) (TV)

One of many brave men in the Norwegian resistance!

This movie is a true story!

If you are a Norwegian and know your history, you know the enormous sacrifices ordinary Norwegians (sivilians) put them self through throughout the war, but you still may want to know more about Jan Baalsrud (search Wikipedia). MANY like him fought and died with the goal to free Norway.

Another well known Norwegian story from WWII, is the sabotage mission against Norsk Hydro, manufacturing heavy water, to be used by the Germans. Two movies was made:

Norwegian version: "Kampen om Tungtvannet" (1948). The actual saboteurs play the roles themselves. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040504/

American version: "The Heroes of Telemark" (1965). Starring Kirk Douglas. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059263/

For you who may not know what kind of people these movies is about, I will try to explain:

Norwegians has always been a proud population, and have always been known to fight for our freedom. We have our history with Denmark and Sweden, but that is another story. In WWII we were invaded by the Germans. It happened fast. But, we never would except this and civilians got together secretly, often called "Gutta på skauen", in English; "The boys in the woods" - The Resistance Movement", to start to fight against the Germans. Some did minor sabotage jobs and other went to England for further training, and bigger missions.

This movie is based on one of those people, Jan Baalsrud, who went to England for training for missions in Norway.

Directly related to this movie: He and many other Norwegian commandos was on a mission to destroy a German air control tower. Under this time they also tried to recruit for the Norwegian resistance movement. And, it's here the movie begins. One civilian they contact, betrays them, and contact the Nazi's. The mission fails because of this.

Jan Baalsrud survives the failed mission and must escape to Sweden (a neutral country).

This escape IS the movie, and he needs all the lives he can get to survive this trip (that's why it's called "Nine Lives").

It is quite a fantastic and horrible journey, and we get a insight on how much these people are willing to sacrifice (pain/death) to save this man. Jan Baalsrud himself, goes trough as much pain a human being can stand.

I will not tell the story, watch the movie. Just remember, it's a true story!

Verdict:

7/10 for the genuine performance. The movie is a little dated, but still quite watchable.