Survival
I enjoy films about survival, and about World War II. The 12th Man (2017) combines those elements to solid effect. It is is based on fact. Of course, poetic license is taken. In 1943 the ship of a group of Norwegian saboteurs is sunk by Nazis. Jan Baalsrud escapes. Not only does he have to avoid capture and the fate of his unlucky eleven comrades, who were tortured and executed, he has to deal with the brutal elements of a harsh environment. He is helped along the way by sympathizers to the cause of resistance. At times the events seem too outlandish to be true. The most incredulous actually is true. Thomas Gullestad, who has only five titles listed under his name at IMDb, is terrific as the hero, as is Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the officer on the hunt. The latter is in the midst of an impressive career, having also portrayed Elvis, Dracula and Henry VIII. Harald Zwart of the Netherlands directed. He has 17 other titles to his credit, none of which I’ve seen. Petter Skavlan wrote the screenplay. 11,000+ users at IMDb have rated The 12th Man, forging to a consensus of 7.4 on a scale of ten, a little too high in my opinion. It runs 2:15, too long. A 1957 Norwegian production covered it in 96 minutes, titled, appropriately, Nine Lives. There is also a well-reviewed book on the subject, We Die Alone by David Howarth, published in 1955. It is not listed in the movie’s credits. Anyone interested in such fare would probably enjoy it. There is one harrowing scene that may turn off certain viewers. Also, it is shot in almost film noir style, featuring bleak winter landscapes and sparse lighting. There are only a few subtitles. Accented English is used. Here are Gullestad and Rhys Meyers in character:
During my hiatus, there were several events I would have commented on extensively. Here are two: NBA Hall of Famer John Havlicek passed away at 79. Not only was the lifetime Celtic a great player, he was the epitome of class. RIP… GDP growth came in at a much better than expected 3.2%. Although it’s still not where it needs to be, it is an encouraging sign for supporters of President Trump’s economic agenda.
On the NFL draft: The Giants rolled the dice. I wouldn’t have gone that way, but it’s way too soon to know if it was the right move. The rest of their picks were workman-like. The Jets number one seems sound. As for the rest of the league. I spotted two items that rose above others: The entire Clemson defensive line was drafted and, for the first time since 1957, no one from Nebraska was selected.
For those who have at least a minimal knowledge of Spanish — in case you need representation:
The sparse rain drove the floating book shop to my usual nook and the shelter of the scaffold, and it prove fortuitous. My thanks to Janet and Stu, who bought eight DVDs, Alex Cross’s Trial by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo, and the first two entries in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series; and also to the gentleman who purchased The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil; and to the young man who chose a book in Russian; and to the young woman who selected The Dorothy Parker Reader.
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