Max Manus: Man of War

Set in Scandinavia during World War II, this enthralling fictionalized biopic begins in 1940 on a wintry field in Finland, where Max Manus (Aksel Hennie), a brave 25-year-old Norwegian, is wounded while helping the Finns fight the Russian invaders. Returning to Norway after the royal family is banished by the Germans, Max helps further the Resistance by destroying draft registration records and distributing newspaper propaganda vilifying the collaborationist government headed by Vidkun Quisling (the source of our current word “quisling,” signifying traitor). After eluding captors, Max and his freedom fighters train in Scotland to become expert saboteurs, assigned to stealthily place limpet mines on the hulls of German supply ships in the Oslo harbor (one of the Free Norwegian Forces' greatest victories is a daring commando raid resulting in the sinking of the cargo vessel Donau outside Drøbak in 1945). During the liberation, Manus becomes the personal protection officer for Crown Prince Olav upon his return to Oslo and for King Haakon VII when the remainder of the royal family arrives on June 7, 1945. Co-directed by Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning (based on Manus' own books, plus historical documentation), this action-packed historical epic is Norway's biggest hit to date. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a “Film & Reality” behind-the-scenes featurette (46 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning film.] (S. Granger)