Overview
A gripping tale of survival against all odds in the frozen wilderness of Norway during World War II.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- harrowing
- tense
- heroic
- historical film night
- war movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally praised the film's spectacular Norwegian landscapes, forceful action sequences, and attention to the Resistance helpers, while finding it predictable, overlong, and emotionally hollow.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jan Baalsrud's flight across snowbound Northern Norway is repeatedly threatened by cold, mountains, hunger, and exposure.
The plot emphasizes the helpers and Resistance members who shelter, transport, and protect Baalsrud from Nazi patrols.
The film uses magnificent Norwegian coastal and mountain scenery alongside harsh action and pursuit sequences.
Baalsrud remains the target of Gestapo and Nazi patrols while attempting to reach neutral Sweden.
Films like The 12th Man, and why
Nine Lives
shared World War II resistance setting, survival ordeal, and tense pursuit narrative
The Way Back
shared wartime escape suspense, historical drama, and harsh physical endurance
Defiance
shared resistance fighter protagonist, Nazi pursuit, and survival-focused war drama
Flame & Citron
shared true-story wartime resistance, moral courage, and grounded historical tension
Movie Details
- Director
- Harald Zwart
- Release Date
- 2017-12-25
- Runtime
- 136 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (636)
Cast
- Thomas Gullestad
- Jonathan Rhys Meyers
- Marie Blokhus
- Mads Sjøgård Pettersen
- Martin Kiefer
- Vegar Hoel
- Håkon Thorstensen Nielsen
- Eirik Risholm Velle
- Daniel Frikstad
- Alexander Zwart
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The 12th Man about?
- A Norwegian resistance fighter battles Nazi pursuit and the Arctic wilderness in a grueling World War II escape.
- What is The 12th Man like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The 12th Man as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The 12th Man violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The 12th Man as moderate.
- What did critics think of The 12th Man?
- Critics generally praised the film's spectacular Norwegian landscapes, forceful action sequences, and attention to the Resistance helpers, while finding it predictable, overlong, and emotionally hollow.
- Which films are like The 12th Man?
- Films with a similar feel include Nine Lives, The Way Back, Defiance, and Flame & Citron.
- How long is The 12th Man?
- The 12th Man runs 136 minutes.
- Where can I watch The 12th Man?
- In United States, The 12th Man streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now.
