First of all I've got to say that I actually was an extra in this film back in 1979, as one of the passengers getting on the ferry before it was sunk. Really exciting, me being 12 years old, and half the local school was meeting both David Niven and Michael York. But the one actor really impressive in this film is Barbra Hershey.
Secondly I must say that this had a theatrically release in Norway, and on VHS video, where the film is no longer than 2 hours. But I understand the film was more of a TV-series in other countries. I still think it's wrong to say this is a TV-movie, because it wasn't only.
This story goes behind some of the important things happening during 2nd World War, and does not show how things really happened around in different places in Europe. But this film tells about some of the people doing the sabotage actions, and the people behind ordering and planning them.
I think this is very neatly done. The film has a really good pace, and you never tend to lose interest in what's going on. Some scenes are among those you cant forget. I see others also think so about the torture scene, where Hershey is the victim. We've seen torture in many films, but this is such great acting from Hershey. You really feel like you're undergoing her experiences, though hardly obviously.
Some of the world's greatest happenings during the 2nd World War is featured in the film, as the Enigma-turn of the war, and the last part of the reknown Heavy water sabotage in Rjukan in 1944, which made Hitler giving up his dream of getting the atomic bomb produced.
This is also the last of the good films from the great David Niven. The 5 films after this are easily forgotten. This film deserves a greater audience. If you get the chance, enjoy! So someone; get it out on DVD!
