The Heroes of Telemark

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The Heroes of Telemark

1965

2h 11m

War

Drama

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Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In this fact-based film, as Axis and Allied scientists race to create the first atomic bomb, British Intelligence receives shocking news of significant breakthroughs at a Nazi facility in occupied Norway. The British work with Norwegian Resistance head Knut Strand and distinguished physicist Dr. Rolf Pedersen to plan an urgent response. As a Norwegian team headed by Strand struggles to stop Nazi science in its tracks, a civilian hostage situation erupts.

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Diego Galán

El Pais (Spain)

Aug 29, 2019

The Heroes of Telemark gets lost in the labyrinth of opposing temptations without a single element managing to guide the project. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Aug 9, 2007

Spy film with spectacular landscapes.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Nov 28, 2006

C+

The snowcovered Norwegian fjords and mountains overwhelm the characters and the flat story.

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Oct 6, 2005

3/5

A solid, but unremarkable World War II actioner.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jul 3, 2005

3/5

Tony Mastroianni

Cleveland Press

Nov 20, 2003

The acting is strong. Douglas and Harris are particularly good.

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Robert P

@Superbad Oct 21, 2026

The Heroes Of Telemark is a *3* star Movie!

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Matthew D

@OceanSage Mar 29, 2026

Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris lead this rather dull men on a mission WWII movie. Director Anthony Mann’s war espionage thriller The Heroes of Telemark (1965) is very long and slow. I liked some of the spy stuff of the Norwegian resistance against the Nazis. However, Mann has no visual flair as a director at this point in his career. It’s entirely reliant upon Richard Harris and Kirk Douglas’ acting performances. I also loved Ulla Jacobsson as Douglas’ ex-wife and fellow spy. Writers Ivan Moffat and Ben Barzman adapt Knut Haukelid and John Drummond’s story with little character depth or emotion. It’s like a lesser Where Eagles Dare or The Eagle Has Landed. Kirk Douglas is pretty good as Dr. Rolf Pedersen, since he’s sleazy and not up to the task of being selfless. Richard Harris is wonderful as the moralistic and brave Norwegian resistance fighter Knut Straud. Ulla Jacobsson is so pretty and compelling as the principled Anna Pedersen.

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erie C.

@Sonia999 Mar 19, 2026

Great and important story despite good performances by Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris. Weak direction, lack of dramatic tension lead to clunky plot. Too bad.

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deke p

@RT96675217 May 31, 2022

1966! Classic spy and sabatage in beautiful NORWEGIAN scenery & fjords. True story. KIRK DOUBLAS & RICHARD HARRIS young and healthy. Can't believe i never saw it until now MEMORIAL DAY 2022 Giving it 4 RT stars

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Jordi

Mar 12, 2022

This is a fantastic movie! Great plot, great locations, and superb acting! These 60s and 70s movies were the best. Another excellent movie is "The Guns of Navarone", and "Where Eagles Dare".

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Paul G

@RT67423558 Jun 13, 2020

The locations look amazing and its a solid story - but the action scenes are a bit dated and Kirk Douglas being the all action hero (who plays a university professor in the film) seems unlikely. How close this was to the true story I don't know though.

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Anthony Mann

Director

Kirk Douglas

Rolf

Richard Harris

Knut

Ulla Jacobsson

Anna

Michael Redgrave

Uncle

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Synopsis

In this fact-based film, as Axis and Allied scientists race to create the first atomic bomb, British Intelligence receives shocking news of significant breakthroughs at a Nazi facility in occupied Norway. The British work with Norwegian Resistance head Knut Strand and distinguished physicist Dr. Rolf Pedersen to plan an urgent response. As a Norwegian team headed by Strand struggles to stop Nazi science in its tracks, a civilian hostage situation erupts.

Director: Anthony Mann
Producer: Benjamin Fisz
Screenwriter: Ivan Moffat, Ben Barzman, Knut Haukelid, John Drummond
Production Co: Benton Film Productions
Genre: War, Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2021
Runtime: 2h 11m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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