Blücher (2025)

	Directed by: Daniel Fahre	INTERNATIONAL TITLE The Battle of Oslo COUNTRY Norway GENRE War/Drama RUNNING TIME 95 minutes
	Produced by: Tom Marius Kittelsen Knut Inge Solbu
	Written by: Axel Hellstenius

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Oberst Birger Eriksen	Bjørn Sundquist	½
Borghild Eriksen	Andrea Berntzen
Kaptein Magnus Sødem	Eldar Skar	½
Løytnant August Bonsak	Fridtjov Såheim
Kommandørkaptein Andreas Anderssen	Øystein Røger	½
Kaptein Thorleif Unneberg	Håvard Bakke	-
Kaptein Vagn Jul Enger	Elias Holmen Sørensen
Erik Solem	Terje Strømdahl	-
Kommandør Per Askim	Jon Øigarden	-
Generalmajor Jacob Hvinden Haug	Mads Ousdal	-
Kontreadmiral Johannes Smith-Johannesen	Kai Remlov	-
Fenrik Kristen Høie	Jonas Hoff Oftebro	-
Fenrik Sigurd Bexrud	Axel Bøyum	-
Berntsen	Odin Waage	-

Review

A strong, dogged performance by Norwegian veteran actor Bjørn Sundquist spearheads this effective and economical portrayal of the German naval invasion of Norway on April 9th 1940, seen from the perspective of Oscarsborg Fortress and its commander, Colonel Birger Eriksen. It was Eriksen’s executive decision to initiate artillery fire, despite being ordered to await further instructions, that led to the sinking of the German heavy cruiser Blücher and delayed the invasion of Oslo long enough for the Norwegian government and royal family to evacuate. With relatively limited means and few location changes, first-time feature director Daniel Fahre succeeds in recreating the mood of the period and the confusion and danger surrounding the German offensives of 1940. The film is at its best when exploring the intricacies and tactics of operating a military fortress, and the weight of the officers’ decisions. The sparse but effective set designs demonstrate that you can make a period film look solid without a big budget. Also with a host of familiar faces among the strong supporting cast, including Andrea Berntzen as Eriksen’s daughter Borghild, the film’s only character with a touch of anachronism.