“No good leader would let (themselves) be governed by temptation.” 

It is a quote from a conversation between the Captain and his chief mate during the rising action of The Arctic Convoy — the latest release from Magnet Releasing. Setting the tone, this conversation foreshadows differentiations of leadership. Is one able to stand ground in various instances or willing to adapt in the name of the common interest? As reminded through the words of Ernest Hemingway:

“Courage is grace under pressure.”

It is the mindset one attests to. Having that sense of courage through that genuine sense of leadership. 

Set during the winter of 1942, The Arctic Convoy highlights the trials of a Norwegian ship en route to deliver vital supplies to their fellow countrymen shortly before the turning of the tied toward the Allies favor during the Second World War. In the midst of their journey, their escort from the allied forces are recalled — leaving the ship on it’s own across the waters of Axis forces. Opting to proceed, the outpost sails solo in it’s quest to assist. 

An inspiration, director Henrik M. Dahlsbakken was not interested in a vision based solely on a black and white archetypian portrayal. The Arctic Convoy is a story emphasized by distresses from both the psychological and the physical. While Dahlsbakken’s characters found themselves in the midst of Axis territory, they were not soldiers of the Allied forces; they were every day individuals without prerequisites. The faces of uncertainty, and the questioning of trust are among the qualities that make The Arctic Convoy refreshing in the midst of presenting a different kind of fascinating story. 

Fascinating, because the viewer witnesses the aforementioned differentiations of leadership. The performances of Anders Baassmo and Tobias Santelmann provide a realism that could have been presented as cartoonish if fallen into the wrong hands. Baassmo provides a sense of delivery when having a similar discussion with Santelmann’s character — a thought of overcoming potential fear. Baassmo, who portrays the captain, delivers an underlying life lesson not merely to the Santelmann character, but to the viewer as well:

“Every time I step on board (the ship), I leave this life” 

This is among the many moments throughout The Arctic Convoy that has the viewer taking an inner look at their own respective feelings of fear, leadership, and courage. As the story continues it’s journey, the elevations in intensity provide a perfect understanding to the viewer of what’s at stake. Do those differentiations provide consequence when faced with critical decisions? 

The Arctic Convoy could have been a polished studio presentation that still could have worked in the English language had the story been sold to Sir Kenneth Branagh (for example). Yet the grittiness and the realism displayed through the cinematography of Oskar Dahlsbakken, the production design of Pål Petersen-Bergvik and Heimir Scerrisson, and the Art Direction of Ranik Halle and Donatas Pirstelis, bring to life this underrated gem not merely as a history lesson, but a powerful life lesson. It is with hope that adolescent history curriculums utilize this presentation in their respective courses.  

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5 on a scale of 5   

The Arctic Convoy is now available to stream on Prime Video