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April 9th (Denmark)
Dir: Roni Ezra. 2015.
This film takes place during Operation Weserübung (the invasion of Denmark by Nazi Germany) and deals with the experience of a bicycle infantry platoon stationed on the border. Pilou Asbæk playing Second Lieutenant Sand puts in one of his better performances as a small unit commander dealing with the trauma of combat whilst being cut off from his command structure. I might be biased with regards to this film, but I really liked it's smaller scale. It was also nice to see a Nimbus motorbike with a side-mounted Madsen 20mm.
4/5
The King's Choice (Norway/Ireland) .
Dir: Erik Poppe. 2016.
Taking place after the events shown in April 9th, this film tells the story of the Danish born, Norwegian King Haakon VII, as played by Jesper Christensen, as he is forced to withdraw from advancing German forces as they close in around him. There are some very good scenes in this film, not least the destruction of the cruiser Blücher but for the most part, I was some what uninterested in the fate of the King, since I already knew he made it to Britain.
3/5
The Unknown Soldier (Finland).
Dir: Aku Louhimies. 2017.
Taking place during the Continuation War, this story differs from the preceding two, both in that it deals with the opposing side (the Finns were allied to Germany) and that this is more of an actual war film, telling the story of a combat unit, with multiple battle scenes and showing the horrific effects of combat, both on the body and the mind. Of the three films this one is by far the most intense and it's also three hours long. I am not familiar with any of the actors in this film, but they all do a very good job.
4/5
All three films are characterized by a strong attention to detail and realism. All three also place a heavy emphasis on the humanity of people caught up in the chaos of war and left helpless, be they farmers or kings. There is little or no call to glory in any of the films. Rather, each story tells of the brutal cost and ultimate futility of war. As a player of table top war games, I often feel that it is encumbent on me to remember that war is not a game, and our people fought, suffered and died so that we could live in peace and freedom. All three films echo that sentiment.
