If you are native to Norway, or of direct Norwegiandescentasam I, and you are not proud as hell of what you watch in the new Word War II drama “Narvik”, then I can say to you onlythis…...“Uff Dah, kampis!”

Director and Co-Writer Erik Skjoldbjærg has succeeded in constructinga relentlesslyriveting and emotionally wrenching film of genuinely epic proportion. Skjoldbjærg cuts no corners in his magnificent chronicling of atrue, though egregiouslyunder-recognized, narrativeof profound human courage and perseverance. Thisis the remarkable story of the residents of a small Norwegian fishing village who rally together, risingup in resistance against German forces which have invaded and occupied their close-knit community. To hell with British shipping cooperation in recognition of Norway’s declaration of neutrality while war raged across both Europe and Asia.

To these marauders, it represents a critical port they must secure to supply the Swedish iron ore necessary to fuel their assault on the world. To the inhabitants, it is home to centuries of proud Norwegian patriots.

Kristine Hartgen and Carl Martin Eggesbø are equally superb here as Ingrid and Army Korporal Gunnar Tofte, a young married couple with a just turned six-year-old son. Together, and each in their own way, they team with fellow townspeople to battle the ruthless Nazis who have claimed their land and waters for themselves. Facing impossible odds, they succeed in driving the enemy out of their fjord (sadly, within mere weeks Norway would succumb completely to Nazi domination). But not before their union is tested to the core, and the blood of far too many friends and family has been spilled in grim defiance.