Stars: Jesper Christensen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Karl Markovics
Storyline
On the 9th of April 1940, the German war machine arrive in the city of Oslo. The Norwegian King faces a choice that will change his country forever.
Writers: Harald Rosenløw-Eeg, Jan Trygve Røyneland, Jesper Christensen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Karl Markovics, Jesper Christensen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Karl Markovics, Tuva Novotny, Katharina Schüttler, Erik Hivju, Svein Tindberg, Arthur Hakalahti, Juliane Köhler, Ketil Høegh, Andreas Lust, Gerald Pettersen, Jan Frostad, Rolf Kristian Larsen, Hans Jacob Sand, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Cast: Jesper Christensen -
H.M. Kong Haakon VII
Anders Baasmo Christiansen -
H.K.H. Kronprins Olav
Karl Markovics -
Gesandter Curt Bräuer
Tuva Novotny -
H.K.H. Kronprinsesse Märtha
Katharina Schüttler -
Anna Elisabeth ('Anneliese') Bräuer
Erik Hivju -
Oberst Birger Eriksen
Svein Tindberg -
Peder Anker Wedel Jarlsberg
Arthur Hakalahti -
Menig Fredrik Seeberg
Juliane Köhler -
Frl. Diana Müller
Ketil Høegh -
Utenriksminister Halvdan Koht
Andreas Lust -
Oberstleutnant Hartwig Pohlman
Gerald Pettersen -
Statsminister Johan Nygaardsvold
Jan Frostad -
Stortingspresident Carl Joachim Hambro
Rolf Kristian Larsen -
Sersjant Brynjar Hammer
Hans Jacob Sand -
Forsvarsminister Birger Ljungberg
Trivia:
Wilhelm Scream: When Seeberg shoots the German soldier at Midtskogen. See more »
Goofs:
The rate of fire from the smaller guns on the Bluecher is demonstrated to be around 500 rounds a minute; the cyclic rate of fire of the smallest mounted guns was only around 120 rounds a minute. See more »
User Review
Author:
Rating: 9/10
Erik Poppe's history depiction "The King's Choice" (original title
"Kongens nei") is about the Norwegian royal King and governments
reaction to being invaded by Hitler-Germany on the 9th of April 1940.
Erik Poppe has made the brilliant "Trouled water", "Hawaii Oslo",
"Schpaaa" and "A thousand times good night", but has outdone himself
here, maybe only equaled by "Troubled water". The script is based upon
the history telling book by Roy Jacobsen, and is written by Norwegian
novelist and re-known script writer Harald Rosenløw-Eeg.
The film depicts what happened in the of the most defining days of the
Norwegian democracy, where the Danish born king, after 35 years after
being chosen as the King of Norway after his arrival in 1905, when
Norway decided to become a kingdom. We also follow the Norwegian
government, and how the military reacted to the shock of being invaded
by the Third Reich power.
I must say that this film simply could not be depicted more correctly.
Except for the King and the Crown prince actually was driven in a newer
DeSoto, which only war nerds and aficionados would know, this is
painstakingly accurate.
The film is no action movie, but a historic drama, and as such it
fulfills my expectations as the best Norwefian war movie to date.
Though the film has some action filled sequences, the main thing is the
choices that has to be made which defines this drama. And not only the
King's choice, but also the when fie was to be called against the war
ships and the German troops in their chase of the king. The troubled
government which not at all were able to show the same determination as
the king, and so on. Many difficult choices.
The film isn't at all afraid of dwelling at these choices, and this
makes my day. The film making is really heartfelt, and the instruction
of the actors are superb. Danish actor Jesper Christensen is simply
jaw-dropping in his role as King Haakon the 7th, and Anders Baasmo
Christensen isn't far behind in his role as Crown Prince Olav. However,
Austian actor Karl Markovics is simply stunning as Kurt Bräuer. And I
could go on. Many great roles! Poppe is a criminally great instructor
and director.
And it would have been a catastrophe of epic proportions if this film
had taken short cuts. Thank God they didn't. The film is not only
accurate and defining history telling, it's also a mile stone in
Norwegian cinema and film history.
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