A little-known war drama streaming on Netflix has been hailed as an 'exceptional masterpiece' by viewers who were deeply moved. The series, titled War Sailor (original Norwegian title Krigsseileren), is a three-episode limited series that has garnered near-universal acclaim.
A New Contender for the Throne
For years, Band of Brothers has been considered the gold standard for war-themed television. Created by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, that series set a high bar for the genre. Now, War Sailor is being called a 'phenomenal masterpiece' that could dethrone the iconic series.
What Is War Sailor?
War Sailor is a Norwegian war drama that served as Norway's official submission for Best International Feature at the 95th Academy Awards. Originally released as a feature film in late 2022, it arrived on Netflix in April 2023 as a three-part miniseries, with 30 minutes of additional footage. Written and directed by Gunnar Vikene, it is the most expensive Norwegian film ever produced, with a budget of $11.1 million.
Cast and Plot
The drama stars Kristoffer Joner and Pål Sverre Hagen, with supporting performances from Ine Marie Wilmann, Henrikke Lund Olsen, Armand Hannestad, and Leon Tobias Slettbakk. The story draws on the true experiences of 30,000 Norwegian civilian sailors who served in Allied convoys during World War II. The official synopsis states: 'Merchant sailors are caught in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean during Germany's invasion of Norway and hijacked into working for the Allied war effort.'
Critical and Audience Reception
War Sailor boasts a 92% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers have described it as 'heart-in-your-throat moving' and 'one of the best war movies I've seen.' One IMDB reviewer wrote: 'I thought I'd become numb to emotional drama, but this one gripped me.' Another said: 'It weaves suspense, devastation, love, hope, and the horrors of war into a picture that will stay with me.'
Critics have praised the series as 'powerful and engrossing,' with one noting: 'War Sailor is the best kind of war movie: a character drama that happens amidst war, focusing on how characters are changed by atrocities over the years.' Another critic highlighted the ensemble acting, calling it 'perfectly cast down to the smallest role.'
Where to Watch
War Sailor is available to stream exclusively on Netflix.
