Max Manus
Max Manus (Aksel Hennie) was a freedom fighter in Norway during World War 2 who although only a gnat on the hide of Hitler’s war machine was able to make a big difference with a relatively small contribution. Norway was one of the early victims of the Third Reich’s plans to assimilate all of Europe and by the time the Nazi’s had entered Scandinavia they appeared unbeatable. Still Max and a hand full of school mates would have none of it. Initially they launched a propaganda campaign but in a fashion so cavalier they were easily tracked down by the SS. Max became legend by surviving a jump from a top floor window to avoid capture by the Germans. After training in Scotland re guerrilla tactics Max and many of his former mates operating between Sweden and Norway took a much more pro active approach to dealing with the occupying force headed by the young and ambitious Siegfried Fehmer (Ken Duken) who was as ruthless as he was charming. Success came but at a tragic price for this band of renegade brothers whose numbers diminish rapidly due to the diligence of Fehmer and for which Manus as one of the only survivors was riddled with guilt. To this day Max Manus is the most decorated of Norwegian military personnel and perhaps more surprising, it took some 65 years for his heroic adventure to make it to the silver screen.