Is War Sailor Based on a True Story? Ending Explained and Review
by Janani
Updated Apr 04, 2023
War Sailor
War Sailor is a popular Norwegian war drama movie. Gunnar Vikene directed this Norwegian drama movie, which is based on the real-life experiences of Norwegian sailors and their families during and after World War II. The movie features Kristoffer Joner, Pål Sverre Hagen, and Ine Marie Wilmann. War Sailor has been submitted by Norway for consideration in the Best International Feature category at the 95th Academy Awards. The film is a collaboration between Rohfilm Factory and Studio Hamburg, Germany, and Falkun Films, Malta, and is the most expensive Norwegian feature film, with a budget of $11 million.
Is War Sailor Based on a True Story?
Yes, War Sailor is based on a True Story. Indeed, although the characters in the series are not real, their storyline is inspired by the experiences of Norway's merchant sailors and their families. The viewing experience can be completely immersive when the stunning cinematography is coupled with exceptional sound design. The series, created by Gunnar Vikene who both wrote and directed it, presents a poignant portrayal of the atrocities of war in an unflinching manner. Vikene's inspiration for the series stemmed from his deep-seated emotions after reading about the sacrifices made by civilians during the war.
Gunnar Vikene, who both wrote and directed the series, presents a disturbing portrayal of the horrors of war that is resolute in its approach. Vikene became aware of the sacrifices made by civilians during the war, and the stories he read left a profound impact on him. Interestingly, Vikene was previously employed as a submarine engineer and had heard several accounts of the civilian effort during the war that were frequently disregarded.
Is War Sailor a True Story?
Interestingly, Vikene, who used to work as a submarine engineer, had come across several stories of civilian efforts during the war that were often neglected. The boats were ill-suited for battle and many of them were destroyed without any means of defense.Set in the open waters prior to Germany's invasion of Norway in 1940, the limited series is available on Netflix. It aims to draw attention to the perilous predicament that civilians were subjected to during the war, which is often overlooked.
War Sailor is a limited series that is based on true events that took place during World War Two. Norwegian boats were utilized to support the British allies during the war, which led to numerous casualties. The boats were not equipped for battle and were destroyed without any means of self-defense. The Netflix series depicts two characters on the open waters before Germany's invasion of Norway in 1940. The show emphasizes the danger that civilians were exposed to during the war, a facet that is often forgotten.
War Sailor Review
The first two episodes of War Sailor (Krigsseileren) mainly focus on depicting the struggle faced by Wally, Freddy, and their fellow sailors as they decide whether to continue with their mission or return home. The series attempts to showcase the hardships endured by these sailors over the six years they spent away from their families. However, despite this focus, the episodes move slowly and fail to adequately depict the daily grind that weighed down these sailors.
While director Gunnar Vikene attempts to balance this equation, the group of sailors featured in the series does not fully capture the sense of living through such a grueling and extended period of war. Instead, viewers become more interested in the lives of Wally, Freddy, and their shipmates after the war. Although the American narrative of the war often focuses on the soldiers and sailors returning home and building a middle-class life, there must have been many individuals who experienced PTSD and struggled to readjust to civilian life.
The series promises to explore the impact of the war on Wally and Freddy as they navigate the aftermath of their experiences. The first scene suggests that one of them may cope better than the other. This journey promises to provide a much-needed boost to the initially slow and somber narrative.
What is War Sailor About?
Despite Winston Churchill acknowledging the significant contribution of 30,000 Norwegian merchant sailors who were recruited by their government to assist England and the Allies in World War II, their story remains a footnote and is often overshadowed by traditional military heroes. These men and women did not enroll in the armed forces, yet their role in the victory against Hitler was crucial. Writer-director Gunnar Vikene offers a stirring tribute to them in War Sailor (Krigsseileren), a well-crafted account of male friendship, bravery, and trauma that skillfully blends intense action and personal psychological insight. Additionally, the film offers a moving depiction of the lasting impact on one family.
War Sailor Ending Explained
Sigbjørn played a crucial role throughout War Sailor, serving as a primary anchor for the series' narrative. His friendship with Freddy was central to the plot, and their story of survival amid constant danger was a compelling tale. However, in the second episode, things took a tragic turn for Freddy when it was revealed that his family had died during the war. Although viewers had previously seen how his family had narrowly survived an explosion, Freddy was unaware of this and was presumed dead at the end of episode 2.
The finale opened with Sigbjørn discovering Freddy's house and slowly forming a bond with the surviving family. Since he had no family of his own, Sigbjørn decided to care for this household and help them rebuild their lives after the war. Over time, he developed a romantic relationship with Freddy's wife, which created tension between the two friends. When Sigbjørn received news that Freddy was alive and living in Singapore, he decided to wake his friend up from a drug-induced trance and inform him that his family was still alive. The crew had raised enough money for Freddy to return home, but Sigbjørn chose to continue his life as a sailor.
The final scenes of the series focused on Freddy's struggle to rebuild his life after being labeled a deserter by the government. The series time-skipped several times before culminating in an elderly Sigbjørn meeting with Freddy, resulting in an uncomfortable silence between the two before Sigbjørn ultimately left. The series ended with Freddy looking ahead with tears in his eyes, possibly thinking about his friendship with Sigbjørn.
War Sailor Where to Watch
You could watch War Sailor on Netflix. Here are the simple steps to log in to Netflix, which you could make use of it.
Is War Sailor Based on a True Story - FAQ
War Sailor is a 2022 Norwegian war drama film.
Gunnar Viken directed War Sailor.
Yes, War Sailor is based on a real story.
Maria Ekerhovd produced War Sailor.
Gunnar Vikene is the writer for War Sailor.