“The 12th Man” is a fascinating release from IFC Midnight. The source material was adapted into the previous Oscar nominated film Nine Lives. However, this release goes for more of the genre film aspects of the tale. You will believe that Jonathan Rhys Meyers can play a Nazi hunting down a beaten down man. Also, where has Thomas Gullestad been? Apparently, I don’t watch enough Norwegian cinema. Gullestad is a killer talent who blends a bit of Steve McQueen with the intensity of Christian Bale.
Some have cast shade on the historical accuracy of the story. Turning to the real Norwegian resistance fighter Jan Baalsrud’s statement, I support what he had to say. If he didn’t do the things he claimed, why did a Nazi brigade hunt him down across foreign territory? I also appreciate that this film unlike Nine Lives makes the average people into heroes. Baalsrud was the first to claim that he wouldn’t have survived without the aid of strangers.
This movie finally gets those details right and paints a bigger picture of the world. I recommend The 12th Man mainly for how much it surprised me.
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