The Heroes of Telemark [DVD]

Based on a true story, the film tells of how a small group of Norwegian resistant fighters led by Knut Strand (Richard Harris) joined by reluctant participant Rolf Pedersen (Kirk Douglas) a Norwegian physics professor mount an assault on a German Hydro-plant situated on the outskirts of Rjukan in the county of Telemark in occupied Norway.After the realisation that the Germans were manufacturing the component Hard-Water in an effort to win the race to develop the Atom Bomb, an assault force is sent from Britain to assist the resistant fighters to destroy the ability to produce it, however when the craft carrying the force crashes killing them, Knut's small team along with Rolf must go it alone.Successfully halting production it was felt, job-done, however, the Germans had back-up equipment to send to the plant from Berlin, instead of a year it takes them just a few weeks to get the plant producing hard-water again.After an air-raid fails to stop operations it is left again to Knut and Rolf to prevent the Germans from shipping the water.The film also starring amongst it's cast-list Michael Redgrave and Ulla Jacobsson.Although arguably dated in many respects in comparison to the high-tech modern-day presentations, the 1965 offering does give a very watchable account of the heroics by the few to prevent the war being lost because of the Germans having the Bomb at their disposal.With a superb cast list, the film takes you back in time to the movies that captured audiences at that time.Worth a re-visit or nostalgic viewing.Footnote -If you have access to network TV, give the new Shaft a spin, great action, great fun with three generations of John Shaft on view.

An excellent War film. Used to be a perennial on weekends and Bank Holidays as a child. One of my late Mothers favourites - Douglas and Harris being two of her favourite actors. She particularly enjoyed the scene in which the Quisling played by Roy Dottrice gets shot in cold blood by Douglas!Recently shown on BBC2 just after Christmas 2020...oddly part of a double bill that afternoon with another great War film - "Operation Crossbow" preceding it....I hadn't seen either in years, a few decades in fact....I was surprised that the BBC decided to put both films on...having enjoyed the film after all these years and remembering how brilliant it was, I just had to buy a copy.Yes, the filmmakers did take some liberties with the story as compared to the real mission, but, all in all, the combination of Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris and a scene stealing Eric Porter make this one to watch....they certainly don't make them like this anymore...which, given the fact the great Directors and Actors of film and television are now (sadly regrettably and indeed inevitably) long gone is reason why. Film and TV today pales in comparison and is only good for conserving electricity by switching off the tv.Imdb.com and the Wikipedia article on the film have some very interesting trivia concerning the making of the film too.Highly recommended.

I was disappointed with the picture quality of this dvd, being a digital remastered copy, I would buy a standard version of this film and save at least £15. I have no issues with my blue ray player as I had where Eagles Dare as part of a bundle package and the quality on where Eagles Dare was outstanding, better quality than what you see on tv.

This is a very interesting - and surprisingly restrained - WW2 film from the mid 1960s. It is based on actual events although some aspects have been altered. It's worth remembering that the trading for this raid took place at Glenmore, near Aviemore in the Cairngorms.The film features a fine score by Malcolm Arnold and is directed by Anthony Mann, who made many fine westerns but is best remembered for being replaced as director on Spartacus by Stanley Kubrick a few years earlier, early in the filming process. Both that picture and this have Kirk Douglas as leading man.The story is gripping and does not have the advantages of CGI so actual vehicles are destroyed and ships are sunk - which almost always looks better! A number of the actual participants in the events star in the film, most notably the captain of the ferry who gets to go down with his ship - again.A version of the (true) story was made in Norway a few years after the war with many of the original protagonists - search for "Operation Swallow" on popular video websites and remember to switch on subtitles!4 stars for this film because it would benefit from remastering and a blu Ray release (at long last).

A small band of guerrillas replace 50 commandos who die in a glider crash trying to stop heavy water production in Norway. They only slow production down and have to attempt an even riskier mission later. My complaints are minor. Kirk Douglas was a 50 year old guy when this picture was made playing a middle age scientist. All the running and skiing involved must have worn out a few stunt doubles.He played the most criticle and least expendible member of the team but he was out in front and the most endangered all thruout the mission. (thats where the camera was). The explosions thruout were believable as was the finale , which is where many war action films break down.Good movie, glad I bought it.

This is one of those films that may lack the razz-ma-tazz and CGI of modern movies, but what it lacks there it makes up for in good old fashioned solid acting and near true to life storyline. The atmosphere and bravery of the characters keeps you glued to the final act, not disappointed in that the good guys prevail in the face of overwhelming odds against them! Overall a good romp in a traditional style. Former screen macho heavyweights Richard Harris and Kirk Douglas are brimming over with testosterone!!