The Deep (2012)

Based on actual events, a fisherman tries to survive in the freezing ocean after his boat capsizes off the south coast of Iceland.

Director:

Baltasar Kormákur

Writers:

Jón Atli Jónasson, Baltasar Kormákur

Stars:

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Stefán Hallur Stefánsson, Joi Johannsson

11 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson	...	Gulli
Joi Johannsson	...	Palli (as Jóhann G. Jóhannsson)
Stefán Hallur Stefánsson	...	Jón
Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson	...	Lárus
Björn Thors	...	Hannes
Walter Grímsson	...	Raggi (as Walter Geir Grimsson)
Thora Bjorg Helga	...	Halla (as Þorbjörg Helga Þorgilsdóttir)
Guðjón Pedersen	...	Erlingur Prófessor
Theodór Júlíusson	...	Foreldrar Gulli
María Sigurðardóttir	...	Foreldrar Gulli
Stormur J.K. Baltarsarsson	...	Batman - Bjarni
Martin Halldórsson	...	Spæderman - Gilli
Sindri Árdal Bergsteinssoon	...	Gulli (Sem Dreengur)
Ólafur Ingi Sigurðsson	...	Palli (Sem Drengur)
Þorsteinn Bachmann	...	Prestur

Storyline

In regard to the real-life survival story and the extraordinary feat of the Icelandic fisherman, Guðlaugur "Gulli" Friðþórsson, Baltasar Kormákur's "The Deep" faithfully recreates the maritime tragedy of the ageing vessel, Breki, when on 11 March 1984 capsized near the Westman Islands, in the notoriously rough waters of the unforgiving North Atlantic. Among a small crew of six men, the cheerful, overweight, and utterly unassuming Gulli summons the strength to fight the omnipotent forces of nature, swimming back home for six hours in frigid and deadly waters. But, how on earth did he manage to cheat an impending deep hypothermia? Was it a matter of sheer determination, pure chance, or was it a case of an unfathomable mystery?

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Plot Keywords:

coast | freezing | fisherman | ocean | capsize | 

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Taglines:

The most honored Icelandic film of all time.

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

Iceland

Language:

Icelandic

Release Date:

21 May 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Deep

Box Office

Budget:

EUR2,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$713,108

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blueeyes Productions, Filmhuset Produksjoner

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The official submission of Iceland to the Best Foreign Language Film for the 85th Academy Awards 2013.

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Goofs

The events in the movie take place in 1984. When the main protagonist, the only survivor of the boat accident, undergoes a test in the Navy Hospital in London, one of the doctors introduces the other three participants of the test as members of the SBS, the Special Boat Services, a UK special forces unit. The name by which the doctor refers to the unit is incorrect. In 1984, this UK special forces unit in question was called the Special Boat Squadron. It was renamed to Special Boat Service (and not "Services") only three years later, in 1987.

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Connections

References Jaws (1975)

User Reviews

Heartfelt and compelling

THE DEEP isn't an amazing film but it is a heartfelt and compelling one that tells an amazing true story. It's also one of those outdoor 'wilderness' type films that explores man's survival against the elements, and it has the novelty of being an Icelandic film too.

The story takes place in 1984 and tells of a group of fishermen being flung into the freezing Atlantic when their fishing boat sinks. One of the men decides to swim for land and the film tells his difficult tale with death and danger dogging his every stroke. The narrative involvement is slim, but the film offers fascinating visuals that truly get across the sublime nature of the frozen north.

Olafur Darri Olafsson (BEOWULF & GRENDEL) is excellent in the leading role and gives a truly naturalistic performance. The latter part of the film almost moves into X-Files territory but retains the realism throughout. Director Baltasar Kormakur seems to spend his time either making movies in his own country or popping over to Hollywood for the likes of 2 GUNS and CONTRABAND, but this is definitely the most interesting - and oddly enchanting - film I've seen from him.