On 9 April 1940, German soldiers arrive in the city of Oslo. The King of Norway faces a choice that will change his country forever. The King's Choice is a story about the three most dramatic days in Norway's history, the royal family's escape and King Haakon's difficult choice after Nazi Germany's invasion of Norway.
Jesper Christensen
King Haakon VII of Norway
Anders Baasmo Christiansen
Crown Prince Olav of Norway
Karl Markovics
Curt Bräuer
Tuva Novotny
Crown Princess Märtha of Norway
Arthur Hakalahti
Fredrik Seeberg
Svein Tindberg
Peder Wedel Jarlsberg
Andreas Lust
Hartvig Pohlman
Katharina Schüttler
Anneliese Bräuer
Ketil Høegh
Halvdan Koht
Gerald Pettersen
Johan Nygaardsvold
Jan Frostad
C J Hambro
Erik Hivju
Birger Eriksen
Espen Sandvik
Magnus P. Sødem
Sofie Falkgård
Princess Ragnhild
Ingrid Ross Raftemo
Princess Astrid
Magnus Ketilsson Dobbe
Prince Harald (3 years)
Rolf Kristian Larsen
Sgt. Brynjar Hammer
Juliane Köhler
Diana Müller
Herbert Nordrum
Frode Vestli
Nikolay Lange-Nielsen
Nicolai Ramm Østgaard
Ragnhild Udbye Lefstad
Ragni Østgaard
Randolf Walderhaug
Bjart Ording
Tom Styve
Ole Dahl
Benjamin Lønne Røsler
Helge Løken
Torfinn Nag
Kristian Welhaven
Krister Kern
Waldemar Johannessen
Andree-Östen Solvik
Erich Walter
Tone Danielsen
Kristiane Sælid
Erland Bakker
Ivar Iversen
Eric Vorenholt
Arne Hammer
Hans Jacob Sand
Birger Ljungberg
Linus Widner
Christian Reusch
Aslak Maurstad
Orderly
Karl Flymann
Johan Klüwer
Johan Ivarson
Grötshcke
Alexander Von Bremen
Ola
Jan Petter Dickman
Ivar Lykke
Lage Kongsrud
Prince Harald (8 years)
Leiv Ose
German Office Manager
Udo Schenk
Hitler (voice)
Øyvind Mørk
The King's Driver
Mikkel Gram Bakker
Einar Østgaard
Joakim Dan Jørgensen
Eberhardt Spiller
Zoe Witt
Clara Bräuer
Director
Erik Poppe
Book
Alf R. Jacobsen
Screenplay
Harald Rosenløw-Eeg
Screenplay
Jan Trygve Røyneland
Script Consultant
Jim Frazee
April 14, 2017
7
**All for Norway.**
It is from the director of 'A Thousand Times Good Night'. This movie is like the Norwegian version of the Academy Awards winner 'The King's Speech'. Likewise, it was based on the real, that happened around the same timeline of the history, id est, the World War II. Except matching title, it was totally a different narrative. When the Germany was expecting a response to their demand, the Norway cabinet made most of the decisions and turned it down to remain independent country. But from all, a decision that made by the king is what this film was based on and how it changed the Norway's fate was depicted.
This film was sent to the 2017 Oscars, unfortunately it did not advance to the main event. They might have expected recognition similar to the British film. But I think both the films were good in their own way with the kind of story they told us that took place in the backdrop of the most terrible time of the recent human history. So having a similar title name justifies. It is a biopic, but the story was covered from different angles to reveal us what happened on the other side, including one of the young soldiers who fought in that war.
The story begins with the April 1940, while the Nazi army sailing towards Norway and after losing most of the cities to them, the people fled to safer places. That did not spare the Norwegian cabinet members, as well as the king Haakon VII and his family. In those hard times, he kept the nation united by respecting to how the government decided to deal with the situation.
But on one occasion, through a German diplomat with a one-time offer directly from Adolf Hitler leave the king to make the crucial decision for his nation and its people. That's the part of the film to define its title. So everything leads to that moment, how he reacts and what follows decides the Norway's fate to stand on what side of the ongoing war.
> "If I am the last card in the deck, so be it."
It's a well made film. Neither too violent nor avoided the war depictions to turn it more drama type. Everything had its share, including those war atmosphere for such budget was impressive. More like it was a running and chasing theme. But in the initial parts, there were too many timelines mentioned about what happened on when. Details like that are really good, though I felt it was too much to take on, especially for a foreign film.
Once the tale enters the mid section, looked all were in order and also got very interesting than before. In a cold country like Norway, in those situations you are like in a multifold trouble. I mean from the common man's perspective. An army is chasing you and harsh winter, surviving that is very challenging.
All the actors were great, but the king steals the show. If this was an American film that had taken place in America, then he would have won the Oscars. The fresh undertaking films on the World War II themes would never go fade away. So this is one of the best in that kind in the recent time. Except the opening, I did not have any trouble following it. Even the 130 minutes looked shortened. But I won't think everybody would feel the same way as I did. Like any WWII films, it is a must see, particularly to learn from the Norway's perspective of the war.
But this was depicted from the early stage of the war. And since it was majorly focused from the king's perspective, being a first king elected by his people, how he had faced it, following his crucial decision leads the way to the film's conclusion. If you are as war film fan, particularly the WWII, the actual best part begins henceforth which I'm hoping for a sequel to focus on. If you are not anticipating like the top WWII films you have seen, it can be picked for a watch. But anyway, I would recommend it.
_7/10_
Status:
Released
Original Language:
Norwegian
Budget:
$7,500,000.00
Revenue:
$9,100,000.00