The Heroes of Telemark – 1965 | 131 mins | War, Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Taut World War II action-adventure tale inspired by the true story of Norwegian Resistance. Robert Krasker’s cinematography brilliantly captures the snow-covered Norwegian location scenery but director Anthony Mann’s pacing is too restrained for an exciting tale of heroism. The real-life tension that existed between Douglas and Harris aids the abrasive chemistry required between the two main characters, but the supporting cast remains largely underdeveloped bar Douglas’ relationship with Ulla Jacobsson.

German-occupied Norway, 1942, a smuggled microfilm illustrates how the Germans are moving ever closer to the secret of nuclear fission and might be ahead in the race to create an atomic weapon. After visiting military intelligence in England, Knut Straud (Richard Harris), a leading figure in the Norwegian underground, joins forces with scientist Dr. Rolf Pederson (Kirk Douglas) to infiltrate the Norsk Hydro plant as reconnaissance in anticipation of an armed British raid. They are forced to abandon their plans when the commando glider crashes. A British attempt to destroy the factory from the air fails due to it’s sheltered location, and when the Nazi’s decide to move a shipment of heavy water to Germany the Norwegians have little alternative but to destroy the factory and sabotage the ferry and it’s cargo.