1990 - SHIPWRECKED, entertaining adolescent boys adventure story

The Disney company has their name on the top of this picture but the reality is this was a Norwegian film made with a Norwegian director and a Norwegian cast.  Disney picked up the North American release and had the film dubbed into English since movie studios believe that audiences are too stupid to read subtitles.

A very entertaining adventure film aimed at the family audience but 13 year old boys were probably the intended audience.  The film was shot in Norway, the Fiji Islands, and England.

The story concerns a young boy who has signed on to a ship as a cabin boy.  He has various adventures which involve, a storm at sea, pirates, and buried treasure.  He ends up getting shipwrecked on a deserted island and finally has a confrontation with the pirates where he fights them off with a bunch of Home Alone type traps he has devised. Along the way he meets a girl who is a stowaway on the ship in need of rescuing.

 

It's all presented in a fast moving film that races from one situation to another.  The viewer doesn't have time to think about some of the plot holes and contrivances in the story.

 The film was written by Nils Gaup, Bob Foss, Greg Dinner and .  Nick Thiel.  The running time is a fast paced 93 minutes.

2016 - THE LAST KING, a very entertaining action film

 This film is set during the Norwegian civil war of 1240.  Like most people in the United States and probably most of the world I wasn't aware the Norwegian's had a civil war.  The Birkebeinars, loyal to the King of Norway have to rescue his infant son the future ruler of Norway after the King is assassinated by some evil Norwegians.

 

The film is an extended chase with the men assigned to protect the infant king from the evil Norwegians being pursued for much of the running time of the film.  Interestingly the chase is mostly on some wacky long skis with one long pole used to steer these damn things. Just getting people to ski on these things is almost impressive as watching the exciting action scenes.

 

Also impressive is the location shooting in the snow and cold probably nobody's idea of a good time.  Bottom line, a great adventure film in an unusual setting.  You don't need to know Norwegian history to enjoy this film.

 

Written by Ravn Lanesskog, the running time is 93 minutes.