So many war films are just Hollywood idea of how chisel jawed clean cut Americans defeated the Nazi hoard across Europe.

Not so Max Manus.

For once a war film with a proper story that isn't just a story but all true. After watching this film I went straight to the library to look him up.

A remarkable chap and a credit to his nation.

A great boys own adventure, no gooey love seen, not full of gallons of fake blood and thousands of rounds being fired. Just a no nonsense as it happened film.

Go see it.

In Norway, Max Manus was a hero. And, I am sure that because of this that "Max Manus: Man of War" was such as successful film. Norwegians flocked to it like lemmings. However, if you aren't from Norway, I doubt if the movie will bowl you over like it did these folks. Now I am NOT saying it's a bad film--Manus was an incredible guy and the film is exciting. However, the film isn't perfect and I only mildly recommend it. Why? Well, although there are lots of wonderful scenes, the film has two huge problems. One, and this is a personal one, it uses the cursed unsteady cam--featuring lots of shots that look they were shot by a cinematographer with the DTs. The film shook so much on many of the closeups I felt like I was becoming motion sick! Second, the film is VERY sketchy. Too often, the film jumps from one scene to the next--many, many months apart. And, because of this, some of the characters are woefully underdeveloped. There apparently was supposed to be some sort of budding romance between Manus and his contact with the British consulate--but you'd never really know it--it just happened very abruptly. The same was Definitely the case with the blonde lady--who was she, why was she featured in the film and why should we care?! By the way, although this is an exciting film, be forewarned that it's VERY bloody. If you don't want to see tons of blood and gruesomeness, try another film.

MAX MANUS is one of those compelling true stories about resistance fighters battling Nazis during the Second World War. This one's Norwegian, and while it doesn't reach the heights of Paul Verhoeven's genre-defining BLACK BOOK, it has all the hallmarks of quality film-making: a decent script, a great cast, and forthright direction. Aksel Hennie, who later wowed with his performance in Headhunters, is equally impressive here in the titular role, playing a man who must sacrifice everything to free his country from the Nazi menace.

The thing I like about the movie is that it's realistic without ever resorting to melodrama. That might make it slow and underwhelming for some viewers, but I found the effect to be otherwise: this is gutsy and mature, a film that seeks to present reality without sensationalising the material. Saying that, there are still plenty of highly suspenseful set-pieces, mostly those charting Manus and his group's close encounters with their German oppressors. Altogether this is a fine little film and a worthwhile watch for fans of wartime thrillers.