Number 24

"Number 24" (2025) is a war movie during the Nazi occupation told by Gunnnar Sonsteby a decorated hero talking to some young students.  The story flows back and forth as Gunnar is questioned by students and recalls what happened.  Trying to explain to a later generation what happened is the core of the film.

Most of the Norwegians were very unhappy with the Nazis, but a significant part of the population actually supported them.  This of course sets up the question of who do you trust.  Norway provided a name for traitors that was adopted around the world; "Quisling" who is referred to in the film

We first meet the younger Gunnar Sonsteby trekking on the mountains with a close friend, Erling Solheim.  It is 1937 and the have read about a Nazi book burning which offends Gunnar, but his friend doesn't want to talk about it..

 When the Nazis occupy Oslo, Gunnar, an accountant feels lost.  He is subtly encouraged to contact some underground resistance.  His first efforts result in being injured.  Afterwards he is able to get involved in efforts to finance the resistance, take photos which are smuggled to the British military through neutral Sweden.  The Norwegian fighters bomb Nazi controlled facilities.

The Norwegian collaborators are a source of concern.  The Germans are gathering information with help of the collaborators and through torture.  The resisting fighters decide they must kill them. 

This part of the war draws more questions.  One very innocent young man is persistent about killing other Norwegians.  The veteran Gunnar is careful in his justification.  Following up questions he learns the young boy is a great nephew of Erling Solheim.  Gunnar feigns a memory lapse, but the viewer is shown that his old friend had written to Nazi authorities and offered to help lead them to some of the underground, including Gunnar.  A decision was made to kill him and he was lured to his death.  At the end he has a friendly talk with the young questioner which we are not privy to.  During the closing credits we are specifically notified that not every one of the Solheim family were Nazi supporters.  We are also told that Gunnar was the most decorated Norwegian in history and brought up to date on what happened to the other fighters.

Before forgetting, "Number 24" is Gunnar's code name.

A lot of talented people helped bring this story to light.  Here are a few:

John Andreas Andersen was the director.  As a youngster he did short films on a Super 8 camera.  At the age of 15 he won a national film contest.  He developed his talent in the camera and electrical field including time spent with 2 time Oscar winner Sven Nykvist.  He has 7 credits for the camera and electrical department, 32 for cinematography and 6 as a director including "Headhunters" (2011). 

Erlend Loe was the writer.  Before getting into films he had worked in a psychiatric clinic, been a substitute teacher, a journalist and starting writing books for both adults and children.  He also co-founded Screenwriters Oslo.  He has 28 writing credits, 6 for the script and continuation department and 2 for acting.

Kristoffer Lo wrote the music.  He has 15 composing credits and 4 for the music department. 

Pal Ulvik Rokseth was the cinematographer.  He has 45 credits for the camera and electrical department and 33 for cinematography including "Headhunters" (2011) and "The Wave" (2015).

Kalle Doniselli Gulbrandsen was the editor.  He has 10 credits as an editor, 19 for the editorial department and 2 for directing including "The Wave" (2015) and "The King's Choice" (2016). 

Donatas Simukauskas was a casting director.  He started an acting career in Lithuania, but expanded his horizons.  He has 52 credits for casting, 47 for acting and 3 for producing including "The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared" (2013).

Sjur Vatne Brean played the younger active Gunnar Sonsteby.  He has 31 acting credits.

Erik Hivjo played the elder lecturing Gunnar Sonsteby.  He has 83 acting credits including "The King's Choice" (2016)

Luka Horvat played the young naive and emotionally attached questioner.  This is his only acting credit.  He doesn't have the experience or stature of his fellow cast members, but he is crucial to really appreciate this film.  Hopefully we have not seen the last of him.

Lisa Loven Kongsli played Gudrun Colllett, one of the underground supporters.  She has 35 acting credits including "Force Majeure" (2014) and "Lion Woman" (2016).

Ines Hoysaeter Assseron played Reidun Andersen, another of the underground supporters.  She has 18 credits and recently was seen in "Shetland" (2024).

Mark Noble played John Skinner Wilson a British military contact.  He has 43 acting credits including "All Creatures Great and Small" (2020 and "Scoop" (2024).

Magnus Dugdale played Andreas Aubert who was one of resistance fighters.  He has 14 acting credits including "Narvik:  Hitler's First Defeat" (2023).

You can see "Number 24 subtitled or dubbed on Netflix.  It covers a part of World War II not usually paid much attention to, but did play a significant role.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.