The Arctic Convoy (2023) Movie Script
1
- Ready the lifeboat!
- Leave that.
We haven't been hit yet.
- The bridge is mine.
- The bridge is yours, Captain.
Lamp signal from no. 11.
U-boat observed.
And more from 21.
- Any updates?
- No traffic since last time.
We're dropping astern.
Maintain half speed ahead.
Roger.
But I have a piston leak here.
U-boat bearing, 075 degrees.
The bridge is yours.
Only essential crew on deck.
I need tracers.
Just load it.
You should be able to do this
with your eyes closed.
Yes.
- See anything?
- Nothing worth firing at.
Captain!
- Hard to starboard.
- Hard to starboard.
Submarine, starboard side!
Box!
Hi. We received
a message last night.
No. 34 was the ship
that was lost.
No. 21 has engine trouble
and is returning to Iceland.
That was the steamship
next to us.
The escort hit the U-boat
with depth charges.
And four Heinkel planes were
intercepted before reaching us.
Good.
The Brits appear
to be doing their job.
What's that stench?
- What are you doing?
- My apologies.
This is our logbook.
You're making a mess!
The second radio operator
is a pig.
Can we replace him?
The bosun says he's the seaman
who's best at Morse code.
"Pig"?
What does that mean?
What's it mean?
He may know Morse code,
but he knows nothing
about manners.
That little runt
went straight from his
confirmation to a radio.
- Too much cargo around the gun?
- He's just being finicky.
We're moving some crates now,
so he'll get his will.
Has everyone met
our new first mate?
Tune that,
before I toss it overboard.
I'm trying.
Aren't there enough cabins?
On the last convoy, a torpedo
caused the gunner's
cabin door to jam.
Then it's better
to bunk in the mess.
Otherwise everything is normal.
With the exception of Evensen.
He has crabs.
It doesn't itch anymore.
- Excuse me, you forgot this.
- Thanks.
We stayed too long in Iceland.
Can't give these boys
shore leave anywhere.
But it turned out to be
a diversionary tactic.
The entire airbase
was made out of wood,
particleboard and nails.
It was worthless.
Like the Norwegian armed forces.
But from the air
it was a tempting target.
So the Germans are excited
as the British planes approach.
But they only drop
one single bomb.
And when that bomb
hits the runway,
it doesn't explode.
Then the Germans see
that the bomb
is made out of a stump.
And on that stump is written,
"You got wood!"
Why risk sending
an aircraft and a pilot
over enemy territory
for something like that?
The temptation was too strong.
Any military leader
wants to show
the enemy he has the upper hand.
No good leader would let himself
be governed by temptation.
It's irresponsible
to follow random whims
and not think long-term.
You get cowardly decisions.
You talking about
our prime minister?
Why not?
Hemingway said, "Courage
is grace under pressure."
Our prime minister
has no idea what that is.
Hemingway also said
war is not won by victory.
Maybe that's
what the prime minister meant.
That he can choose
not to join the war?
He refuses to do the job
he was appointed to do.
Sent his wife and kids to Sweden
and escaped to London.
Encouraged passive resistance.
People wear paper clips
on their lapels
and call that resistance.
Know how our prime minister
drinks his coffee?
He has to use both hands.
Remember that guy in the galley?
Gundersen?
The one who was a little ...
- slow?
- Poor thing.
Couldn't tell German planes
from British.
Terrified, no matter what.
What do you know
about the first mate?
Plenty of experience.
He's been a captain.
There's something about him.
When he's alone on the bridge,
I'd like to know what it is.
You're always so skeptical.
Give him some time.
Any news?
Nothing.
I heard what you said
to the captain.
I didn't come here
straight from my confirmation.
My father taught me Morse code
when I was seven.
And I've taken
a radio operator course.
My plan was to become
an electrician.
But I promise to do a good job.
And I won't ever eat
pickled herring in here again.
I promise.
What the hell does this mean?
This can't be right.
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
Wait, here comes another one.
Close the door.
"The convoy is
to disperse and ...
proceed to Russian ports."
And then we got this one.
"The convoy is to scatter."
Are we meant to sail alone?
The escort is being withdrawn.
And there's no ...
- No explanation?
- No.
No indication
of inclement weather.
Those damn Brits must want
to use their ships elsewhere.
Yes.
There's also a third reason
to disperse a convoy.
Military superiority.
If the escort doesn't stand
a chance, they'll withdraw it.
Could German battleships
be on their way toward us?
Yes.
The convoy will disperse
in all directions eastward.
If no one is lagging behind,
the entire convoy
is in this approximate area.
Our biggest challenge is
the German air bases
in Northern Norway.
No matter which course
we choose,
we're within range
of their planes.
- Why disperse?
- We can't read the Brits' mind.
- Message them.
- We can't. Radio silence.
Damn the radio silence!
We've been betrayed here!
Hey! If I send a message now,
I'll reveal everyone's position.
We hit some wreckage.
We're okay.
Are they sleeping
on duty up there?
No, the fog is thick.
I'll go up.
The second telegram says nothing
about continuing
toward Murmansk.
Our mission is crystal clear.
Captain?
We have engine trouble.
It would be wisest
to return to Iceland.
We wouldn't be the first ship
to turn back.
What do you think, Mrk?
- I don't know.
- You don't know?
You have to have an opinion.
If I'm incapacitated, you have
to make the decisions here.
What say you?
I say
we return to Iceland.
Yes. I agree.
Why?
To ... avoid engine failure.
We have no stern
or bridge-wing weapons.
We aren't equipped
to sail alone.
And our allies
who need supplies?
The Soviets?
A year ago they were
best buddies with the Nazis.
You're right.
The British have failed us.
- Yes.
- But we aren't failing anyone.
We'll maintain our course.
That's the last thing
the Germans expect.
- We can increase our speed.
- No, no, no.
Half steam is the fastest
we can go.
The condenser will fail
if I increase the pressure.
That's enough.
It's settled.
What do we tell the crew?
No more than they need to know.
Where's the bosun?
He was on deck earlier, captain.
Captain?
The convoy has dispersed.
Double the lookouts.
They're dispersing
the freighters?
And our escort?
The escort will remain,
but at a further distance.
So I want to be
on the safe side.
Aye, aye.
Enter.
You asked for me?
Have a seat.
I have read your papers.
You were captain on D/S Jutland.
Yes.
And you are already back at sea.
Impressive.
Did you end up in the water?
No.
It's nothing to be ashamed of.
A little fear of water is good.
Keeps us focused.
Many of the best naval officers
have a fear of water.
So if you have anything
to tell me, say it now.
Yes.
We were torpedoed.
But I assume you've read that.
It took 30 minutes
for the ship to sink.
So we had plenty of time.
Everyone made it
into the lifeboat.
There were 16 of us.
You managed
to keep your wits about you?
It wasn't as bad as people say.
Good.
But never share
that story again.
Everyone knows a captain
who has lost his ship,
is bad luck.
And if fear
is allowed to spread,
it will spread like the plague.
I consider this ship a coffin.
Every time I step on board,
I depart this life.
Then there's nothing
more to fear.
This is the coffin lid.
We just got a distress signal.
Torpedoed. Everything indicates
she went down.
Distress signals
from four ships.
The last was no. 18.
They're going down.
It looks like
all four have been hit.
What do you think?
We can still turn back.
That would be a detour,
if we're going to Murmansk.
Maintain same bearing and speed.
Keep me posted.
The bridge is mine.
You brought ammo into the cabin?
You can blow
the whole cabin sky high!
Go sleep in the galley.
Tell Lars you have
to learn to shut up
before returning
to the Swede's cabin.
Give me that.
What kind of a gun did you have
on your last boat?
- I don't know.
- You don't know?
No, I was a mess boy.
We were never
anywhere near the enemy.
If you've managed to evade
the enemy this long,
you've been lucky.
That's one thing you can't get
enough of in a place like this.
First mate?
- What is it?
- Ship to port.
- Maintain bearing.
- Maintaining bearing.
Could it be the tanker that sent
those distress signals?
Evensen?
We're launching the lifeboat.
Find the bosun.
Aye, aye.
Set course for the ship.
Setting course for the ship.
Are you sure about this?
Slow ahead.
I said stay the course.
Why are they readying
the lifeboat?
A ship is in distress.
We're rescuing them.
It's illegal to stop
in a convoy.
We're no longer in a convoy.
- Hard to starboard.
- Hard to starboard.
What the hell was that?
Damn.
Mines. They've made it
all the way out here.
- See those mines?
- Yes.
In between there.
Come on.
Can you confirm full stop?
That is correct.
Mines dead ahead.
- How will we steer?
- We aren't steering.
Find the bosun.
We have to lower someone down
to push aside the mines
that come too close.
Use the youngest boys.
Lars, we need boathooks, rope
and climbing nets on the bow.
Aye, aye.
I need you, Evensen, and ...
Bergvik.
Isaksen.
And you, Sigurd.
Don your life vests
and get out on deck. Move!
Over the gunwale.
We're still drifting forward.
Come on!
Prepare starboard side!
Sigurd?
This one is yours.
You can do it.
Just don't hit the firing pins.
Easy, easy.
Isaksen, that one is yours!
Well done.
Come on.
I've got you.
Good job.
You're OK.
Isaksen?
Here comes another one.
- Isaksen!
- No!
Bring the rope!
Man overboard!
Man overboard!
Get me a rope!
Isaksen!
Help him!
Isaksen, grab the rope!
Help me!
Come back!
Mrk?
Did someone fall overboard?
Skar?
The second radio operator.
We'll make it.
The bridge is yours.
Next time you want to thin
the ranks, do it yourself!
We saved the ship and the cargo.
He did it. He was a boy!
My job is to make
tough decisions.
Yours was not to steer us
into a minefield.
If we had held my course,
he never would have
ended up in the water.
Let me help you with your shirt.
Where are Isaksen's possessions?
Is this his?
And this?
No, that's Olof's.
Try to keep things
tidier in here.
I need to get off this ship.
- Engine status?
- Are you listening? I can't ...
You listen to me!
No one is here
of their own free will.
Erik, you have
the most important job on board.
If the engine fails, we're done.
If you can get us to Murmansk
one more time, I'll help you.
I know a doctor there.
You'll be discharged
if I tell him you're sick.
OK.
Syphilis, maybe?
So, what's the status?
If we can keep it under
half steam, we should be fine.
Good.
Now eat.
What are you doing here, anyway?
What do you mean?
Sweden is neutral.
They aren't part
of the war effort.
There's this
German
wood-processing company.
In Munich.
Called Koch & Seidelman.
Ever heard of it?
They make stocks
for the Mauser Karabiner 98k
and other German guns.
And that wood comes from,
among other places,
a forest in Hrryda,
outside Gteborg.
From trees I played in
as a child.
We didn't have much,
but we had a small forest.
And when the Germans cut off
all other trade routes ...
You have to earn a living.
But no one's
exactly proud of it.
So I wanted another story
about my family as well.
If it were me,
I would have stayed home.
I would do anything
not to be here.
I need Isaksen's possessions.
Here are his books.
None of the other boys
know Morse code,
so you'll have to ...
Fine.
There's trouble
in the crew mess.
I usually send my first mate
to take care of that.
If you think you can handle it.
Rumors about the escort
have spread.
They deserve an explanation.
We lost a man today.
Do they really need
more bad news?
"A man"?
Don't you even know his name?
I don't know any of their names.
His name was Isaksen.
And I think
you should deal with this.
"Distress signal.
Torpedo. Ship sinking."
"We have been bombed.
Abandoning ship now."
They're sending us straight to
hell without batting an eyelid!
Yes.
I have informed your crew
that we no longer have an escort
and that our captain
is leading us
on a goddamn suicide mission!
Listen up.
It's true that our situation
has taken a turn for the worse.
That knowledge is a burden
that should not
rest on the crew.
You have failed in your duty.
Chosen to spread
fear and anxiety.
That benefits no one.
Sit down.
Fortunately
the bosun is wrong.
There are advantages
to the convoy dispersing.
Now we can choose
our own bearing and speed.
At full speed,
no U-boat can catch us.
The Soviets are our allies.
They need help.
Thousands of them
die every day
fighting the Germans
on the Eastern Front.
Should we have it any easier?
Do you hope someone else
will do your job for you?
Norway had no defense.
I was in a trench in Rena
when the Germans came.
We had four rifles for 18 men.
Ran out of ammo in an hour.
We didn't stand a chance
and Norway was lost.
We can thank our government
for downsizing the military
and fleeing the country.
We lost a man today.
Isaksen.
But he didn't die in vain.
He died for the cargo
on this ship.
If the Soviets get
these reinforcements,
they will push the Germans back.
We can give them the opportunity
our fighters never got.
And this war will end.
Our contribution,
Isaksen's contribution,
makes that difference.
And that is how
we will get home.
Captain?
Captain, this is no good.
Assemble the officers
so we can discuss ...
Distress signal from no. 23.
It was cut off.
No coordinates.
Ragnhild, do you see
what's happening?
Skar's plan has gone wrong.
You may not understand
all his decisions.
No. And you know what?
I'm not the only one.
Soon the crew
will turn on him again.
But he listens to you.
He's crossed the Atlantic
15 times.
He knows what he's doing.
No, he doesn't.
He's lying to the crew,
that's what he's doing.
We have received distress
signals from half the ships.
Doesn't mean they've been lost.
We need to change course.
Captain,
I think we can see no. 23.
It was attacked
a few minutes ago.
What's so hard to understand?
Even Ragnhild agrees.
Why can't you see
this is hopeless?
I've heard enough from you,
you coward.
All you do is whine!
You're terrified
and full of crap!
You only think about yourself.
Instead of taking
responsibility.
All you can say is
"stay the course"!
How did things go
the last time you were captain?
Exactly. If you want to save
more lives than your own,
stay the course.
Airplane starboard bow!
Only essential crew on deck.
Now!
Get below deck.
Move!
Lars!
Get everyone below deck!
Everyone below deck!
Go! Everyone below deck!
Move!
Come on!
Everyone below deck!
Below deck!
Get below deck!
Bolt!
Pull!
Take cover!
Evensen!
Remain calm!
Find something to stop the leak!
Here, hold this!
Turn the bow toward the plane.
Flank speed!
You can't mean that.
Flank speed!
Increase the pressure!
As soon as the Swede has fired,
hard to starboard!
Magazine!
Sigurd!
Fire on deck!
There's fire on the deck!
Lars!
Fire on deck!
Stay down here!
Ready!
- Hard to starboard!
- Hard to starboard!
Come on, get us around!
One more turn.
Sigurd!
Magazine!
Evensen!
Evensen, get out of there!
One more turn!
There we go.
Sigurd!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Evensen,
we have to get below deck!
- They're coming back!
- Hurry, hurry!
Stay down, stay down!
Come on!
Magazine!
Come on!
Come on, Evensen!
Ready!
Get down!
Come on.
Go, go, go!
The bridge has been hit!
Bring him down to the galley.
Maintain bearing.
Where the hell is it?
It's coming around again.
Hard to port!
Hard to port!
We have to get
this fragment out.
Cut his clothes.
We're giving you some morphine.
OK, hold it open.
I ...
You hold him, Lars.
Steer the bow toward the plane.
Easy to starboard.
Straight now.
Steady course.
Good job.
Here.
Excellent.
Scissors.
Cut there.
Well done.
He's sleeping now.
Ready!
- Steady course!
- Steady course!
Hold it ...
Fire!
Fire!
We got it.
- We hit it?
- Yes.
We got it.
Are you okay?
Yes.
Evensen?
Will he make it?
If he doesn't have
internal bleeding.
How long will the morphine last?
I don't know.
A couple hours, maybe.
Do we have more?
Yes.
I'll check his condition
when he wakes up again.
No.
As long as he's unconscious,
I'm in charge.
What do you mean?
We can save the entire crew.
We can return to Iceland.
- You'll be arrested.
- I take full responsibility.
I want no part of this.
- You don't?
- No.
- I need you on the bridge.
- No.
- I need you on the bridge!
- Not a chance.
The bridge!
Now.
We won't get this chance again.
Please.
I'm not giving him that shot.
Hey!
I made it very clear
we can't run full steam ahead.
The captain was injured
during the attack.
Will he make it?
Yes, we think so.
But he's out of commission.
I'm in command for now.
- Fire up the engine.
- It's dead.
We have multiple steam leaks
and the propeller shaft
is about to fail.
We can go slow for a few miles,
but we need a full shutdown
for 12-14 hours
to get this mess working again.
Why has the engine stopped?
It needs to be repaired.
The chief needs
at least 12 hours.
Twelve hours?
I'm still receiving
distress signals.
I don't know how many are left.
And you want us to drift
around like a sitting duck
for 12 hours?
We can go a few more miles
at slow speed.
What's your plan?
I don't know.
- You don't know?
- No, I don't know!
I need us to stand together now.
Give me everything you've got
for as long as you can.
Change course.
340 degrees.
340 degrees.
We lost Evensen.
The captain
is seriously injured.
The engine is about to fail.
We have significant damage
to the hull and deck.
I know this isn't
what you needed to hear.
But all hope is not lost.
It isn't.
We are sailing north.
Out of range of German planes.
The drift ice is so thick
that U-boats are of no use.
That will give us time
to make the necessary repairs.
So we can remain afloat.
Jesus, help me feel peace
You don't have to do
this for me.
Do it for each other.
And for those waiting for us
back home.
Let me hear Your voice
One line for every downed plane.
Give me your arm.
I haven't shot down any planes.
It applies to both gunner
and gunner's mate.
I learned that
at the naval academy.
We were just attacked
by two German planes
and almost blown sky high.
This is a little needle.
With some ink.
Sit still.
You okay?
My mom will kill me
if she sees this.
I'm sure she'll forgive you.
I got my first one
at a tattoo parlor
in Halifax, Canada.
The tattoo artist was shitfaced.
But so was I.
So I figured,
dammit,
I might as well do it myself.
Now there's no longer any doubt
that you have met the enemy.
To Evensen.
And Isaksen.
And Olof.
Who is Olof?
The man who had your job
before you.
My brother.
So, nine lines.
No matter what,
I want at least one more
before this war is over.
That's just how it is.
The ice is too thick.
It's frozen solid.
Can't even load it.
No problem.
We're far enough north anyway.
How much time do you need?
I don't know.
It'll take as long as it takes.
In the meantime
we're keeping the boiler warm.
Just enough to heat the ship.
Without any visible smoke
from the funnel.
Mrk?
I just wanted you to know
that I have an agreement
with the captain.
He promised
that I'll get discharged
as soon as we arrive
in Murmansk.
No.
I wouldn't believe
everything he says.
It looks like
this might just work.
If the chief can fix the engine
and the crew can rest,
we may get past the North Cape
without being spotted.
After that,
we'll have Russian support.
I wouldn't count on that.
Why not?
I've waited for help
from the Russians before.
In a lifeboat with 15 other men.
We were so close to Murmansk,
we expected help at any minute.
Half the men froze to death
the first night.
Two of them were frozen
to the lifeboat.
We couldn't get them overboard.
Three ships passed us
the next day.
No one picked us up.
On the last ship,
they stood waving on deck.
Only
four of us survived.
We won't get any help.
We are all alone.
Maybe that's to our advantage
this time.
They won't be expecting
one lone ship
several days after the others.
Skar is missing.
I'll search down here,
you go up.
Skar?
How are you feeling?
You remember
you were injured, right?
I remember there was trouble
in the crew mess.
And that I armed myself.
Then I woke up,
locked in my cabin with no gun.
I had to ...
I locked it in your safe.
And I didn't want the crew
to disturb you,
so I locked your door.
The Swede managed
to down the plane.
But the ship sustained
significant damage.
And we lost a seaman.
Evensen.
I saw that.
It was surprising
to look outside.
White,
as far as the eye can see.
We appear to be
significantly off course.
Yes, we have stopped
between Spitsbergen and Hopen.
To have time to repair
the engine undisturbed.
It broke down.
Mrk?
- Yes?
- Another plane.
There's a plane to starboard.
Far away. Impossible
to determine its course.
There's a chance
it won't see us.
East of Spitsbergen is well
within range of German planes.
What were you thinking?
They'll come.
Have the Swede man the gun.
It's frozen.
What?
We have three Bofors guns
in the cargo bay.
Know how to use it?
A Bofors 40 mm L/60.
Swedish.
Who said Sweden
doesn't contribute?
We can't get it up on deck
without a crane.
We'll have to do it
through the cargo hatch.
I can no longer see the plane.
But the weather is lifting.
We're too visible.
They'll spot us.
- Ragnhild?
- Yes.
What color was this ship
before it was painted gray?
Lower the foot plate.
I found it!
White paint.
Captain,
we have a load of white paint.
Permission to use it
on the hull?
It will be harder to spot us
if we blend in with the ice.
If that's what you need to calm
your nerves, by all means.
Grab everything you can find.
We'll get one chance.
The plane has to pass
right over us.
We'll be ready when it comes.
Lars?
Keep lookout.
Let us know if the plane starts
heading toward us.
Aye, aye.
I see a Junkers 88.
About five miles away.
It's coming toward us.
Four miles!
Fire as soon as you have a shot.
It's coming from the southeast.
Turn the cannon
30 degrees to port.
Sigurd.
Stop.
If they have seen us,
they will have reported
to the other planes.
Not necessarily.
It must have.
Ragnhild?
The Germans
will have communicated
our position, right?
Lars, are there more planes
heading our way?
Negative!
It's heading straight for us!
Positions!
Move.
Move!
Lars, are there still
no other planes?
No, only the one.
Three miles.
Get ready.
They haven't seen us.
We're camouflaged. Don't fire!
He's heading straight for us.
We're firing.
Captain, I think he's right.
They would have sent
more planes.
Miss,
and we reveal our position.
Hit it, and we will also reveal
our position.
We're sitting ducks.
If they drop a bomb, we're done!
But they haven't seen us!
One mile!
- Don't fire.
- Shut up!
You aren't in command
of this ship!
Nine hundred meters!
Pull the trigger as soon
as it's in your sights, Johan.
If you fire now,
we're doomed.
Fire as soon
as you have a chance.
The key is to know when to fire.
Lars, it's up to you!
Ready?
Five hundred meters!
Three hundred meters!
Three!
Two!
I think you should wait.
One!
- Now!
- Fire!
Status?
The engine is ready.
It should be able to run
at full steam now.
Good.
Well done.
Hm?
How are you doing?
Fine.
The engine is ready.
You should rest.
It hurts less when I'm seated.
How long have you been at sea?
Two years
and three months.
Long time to be away
from your kids.
You may not recognize them
when you get back home.
They may not recognize me,
either.
How old are yours?
Those aren't my kids.
Don't you recognize
that little boy on the right?
That's me.
Orphanage.
My family
is in that picture up top.
I found my family among sailors.
There's one thing
you should know
about morphine.
It works equally well just
under the skin or in a muscle.
So there was no point
in injecting it
straight into my carotid artery.
Right.
I ...
I would do the same thing again.
I've always thought
one man should make the calls
on a ship.
Or you'll have anarchy.
Now I'm no longer so sure.
I think I'll rest now.
Yes.
Need any help?
No.
Go ahead.
The bridge is yours, Mrk.
Yes.
Still no distress signals?
I haven't seen any planes,
either.
That doesn't have to mean
that we ...
Thank you.
For supporting me.
I didn't support you.
I said what I thought was right.
Right.
How is he?
Last convoy,
the route ran so close
to the coast
that I could have rowed home.
When were you home last?
Four years ago.
August, '38.
What do you think?
Iceland?
No.
You said it yourself.
No one is expecting a lone ship
several days after the others.
Half speed astern.
- Ready the lifeboat!
- Leave that.
We haven't been hit yet.
- The bridge is mine.
- The bridge is yours, Captain.
Lamp signal from no. 11.
U-boat observed.
And more from 21.
- Any updates?
- No traffic since last time.
We're dropping astern.
Maintain half speed ahead.
Roger.
But I have a piston leak here.
U-boat bearing, 075 degrees.
The bridge is yours.
Only essential crew on deck.
I need tracers.
Just load it.
You should be able to do this
with your eyes closed.
Yes.
- See anything?
- Nothing worth firing at.
Captain!
- Hard to starboard.
- Hard to starboard.
Submarine, starboard side!
Box!
Hi. We received
a message last night.
No. 34 was the ship
that was lost.
No. 21 has engine trouble
and is returning to Iceland.
That was the steamship
next to us.
The escort hit the U-boat
with depth charges.
And four Heinkel planes were
intercepted before reaching us.
Good.
The Brits appear
to be doing their job.
What's that stench?
- What are you doing?
- My apologies.
This is our logbook.
You're making a mess!
The second radio operator
is a pig.
Can we replace him?
The bosun says he's the seaman
who's best at Morse code.
"Pig"?
What does that mean?
What's it mean?
He may know Morse code,
but he knows nothing
about manners.
That little runt
went straight from his
confirmation to a radio.
- Too much cargo around the gun?
- He's just being finicky.
We're moving some crates now,
so he'll get his will.
Has everyone met
our new first mate?
Tune that,
before I toss it overboard.
I'm trying.
Aren't there enough cabins?
On the last convoy, a torpedo
caused the gunner's
cabin door to jam.
Then it's better
to bunk in the mess.
Otherwise everything is normal.
With the exception of Evensen.
He has crabs.
It doesn't itch anymore.
- Excuse me, you forgot this.
- Thanks.
We stayed too long in Iceland.
Can't give these boys
shore leave anywhere.
But it turned out to be
a diversionary tactic.
The entire airbase
was made out of wood,
particleboard and nails.
It was worthless.
Like the Norwegian armed forces.
But from the air
it was a tempting target.
So the Germans are excited
as the British planes approach.
But they only drop
one single bomb.
And when that bomb
hits the runway,
it doesn't explode.
Then the Germans see
that the bomb
is made out of a stump.
And on that stump is written,
"You got wood!"
Why risk sending
an aircraft and a pilot
over enemy territory
for something like that?
The temptation was too strong.
Any military leader
wants to show
the enemy he has the upper hand.
No good leader would let himself
be governed by temptation.
It's irresponsible
to follow random whims
and not think long-term.
You get cowardly decisions.
You talking about
our prime minister?
Why not?
Hemingway said, "Courage
is grace under pressure."
Our prime minister
has no idea what that is.
Hemingway also said
war is not won by victory.
Maybe that's
what the prime minister meant.
That he can choose
not to join the war?
He refuses to do the job
he was appointed to do.
Sent his wife and kids to Sweden
and escaped to London.
Encouraged passive resistance.
People wear paper clips
on their lapels
and call that resistance.
Know how our prime minister
drinks his coffee?
He has to use both hands.
Remember that guy in the galley?
Gundersen?
The one who was a little ...
- slow?
- Poor thing.
Couldn't tell German planes
from British.
Terrified, no matter what.
What do you know
about the first mate?
Plenty of experience.
He's been a captain.
There's something about him.
When he's alone on the bridge,
I'd like to know what it is.
You're always so skeptical.
Give him some time.
Any news?
Nothing.
I heard what you said
to the captain.
I didn't come here
straight from my confirmation.
My father taught me Morse code
when I was seven.
And I've taken
a radio operator course.
My plan was to become
an electrician.
But I promise to do a good job.
And I won't ever eat
pickled herring in here again.
I promise.
What the hell does this mean?
This can't be right.
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
Wait, here comes another one.
Close the door.
"The convoy is
to disperse and ...
proceed to Russian ports."
And then we got this one.
"The convoy is to scatter."
Are we meant to sail alone?
The escort is being withdrawn.
And there's no ...
- No explanation?
- No.
No indication
of inclement weather.
Those damn Brits must want
to use their ships elsewhere.
Yes.
There's also a third reason
to disperse a convoy.
Military superiority.
If the escort doesn't stand
a chance, they'll withdraw it.
Could German battleships
be on their way toward us?
Yes.
The convoy will disperse
in all directions eastward.
If no one is lagging behind,
the entire convoy
is in this approximate area.
Our biggest challenge is
the German air bases
in Northern Norway.
No matter which course
we choose,
we're within range
of their planes.
- Why disperse?
- We can't read the Brits' mind.
- Message them.
- We can't. Radio silence.
Damn the radio silence!
We've been betrayed here!
Hey! If I send a message now,
I'll reveal everyone's position.
We hit some wreckage.
We're okay.
Are they sleeping
on duty up there?
No, the fog is thick.
I'll go up.
The second telegram says nothing
about continuing
toward Murmansk.
Our mission is crystal clear.
Captain?
We have engine trouble.
It would be wisest
to return to Iceland.
We wouldn't be the first ship
to turn back.
What do you think, Mrk?
- I don't know.
- You don't know?
You have to have an opinion.
If I'm incapacitated, you have
to make the decisions here.
What say you?
I say
we return to Iceland.
Yes. I agree.
Why?
To ... avoid engine failure.
We have no stern
or bridge-wing weapons.
We aren't equipped
to sail alone.
And our allies
who need supplies?
The Soviets?
A year ago they were
best buddies with the Nazis.
You're right.
The British have failed us.
- Yes.
- But we aren't failing anyone.
We'll maintain our course.
That's the last thing
the Germans expect.
- We can increase our speed.
- No, no, no.
Half steam is the fastest
we can go.
The condenser will fail
if I increase the pressure.
That's enough.
It's settled.
What do we tell the crew?
No more than they need to know.
Where's the bosun?
He was on deck earlier, captain.
Captain?
The convoy has dispersed.
Double the lookouts.
They're dispersing
the freighters?
And our escort?
The escort will remain,
but at a further distance.
So I want to be
on the safe side.
Aye, aye.
Enter.
You asked for me?
Have a seat.
I have read your papers.
You were captain on D/S Jutland.
Yes.
And you are already back at sea.
Impressive.
Did you end up in the water?
No.
It's nothing to be ashamed of.
A little fear of water is good.
Keeps us focused.
Many of the best naval officers
have a fear of water.
So if you have anything
to tell me, say it now.
Yes.
We were torpedoed.
But I assume you've read that.
It took 30 minutes
for the ship to sink.
So we had plenty of time.
Everyone made it
into the lifeboat.
There were 16 of us.
You managed
to keep your wits about you?
It wasn't as bad as people say.
Good.
But never share
that story again.
Everyone knows a captain
who has lost his ship,
is bad luck.
And if fear
is allowed to spread,
it will spread like the plague.
I consider this ship a coffin.
Every time I step on board,
I depart this life.
Then there's nothing
more to fear.
This is the coffin lid.
We just got a distress signal.
Torpedoed. Everything indicates
she went down.
Distress signals
from four ships.
The last was no. 18.
They're going down.
It looks like
all four have been hit.
What do you think?
We can still turn back.
That would be a detour,
if we're going to Murmansk.
Maintain same bearing and speed.
Keep me posted.
The bridge is mine.
You brought ammo into the cabin?
You can blow
the whole cabin sky high!
Go sleep in the galley.
Tell Lars you have
to learn to shut up
before returning
to the Swede's cabin.
Give me that.
What kind of a gun did you have
on your last boat?
- I don't know.
- You don't know?
No, I was a mess boy.
We were never
anywhere near the enemy.
If you've managed to evade
the enemy this long,
you've been lucky.
That's one thing you can't get
enough of in a place like this.
First mate?
- What is it?
- Ship to port.
- Maintain bearing.
- Maintaining bearing.
Could it be the tanker that sent
those distress signals?
Evensen?
We're launching the lifeboat.
Find the bosun.
Aye, aye.
Set course for the ship.
Setting course for the ship.
Are you sure about this?
Slow ahead.
I said stay the course.
Why are they readying
the lifeboat?
A ship is in distress.
We're rescuing them.
It's illegal to stop
in a convoy.
We're no longer in a convoy.
- Hard to starboard.
- Hard to starboard.
What the hell was that?
Damn.
Mines. They've made it
all the way out here.
- See those mines?
- Yes.
In between there.
Come on.
Can you confirm full stop?
That is correct.
Mines dead ahead.
- How will we steer?
- We aren't steering.
Find the bosun.
We have to lower someone down
to push aside the mines
that come too close.
Use the youngest boys.
Lars, we need boathooks, rope
and climbing nets on the bow.
Aye, aye.
I need you, Evensen, and ...
Bergvik.
Isaksen.
And you, Sigurd.
Don your life vests
and get out on deck. Move!
Over the gunwale.
We're still drifting forward.
Come on!
Prepare starboard side!
Sigurd?
This one is yours.
You can do it.
Just don't hit the firing pins.
Easy, easy.
Isaksen, that one is yours!
Well done.
Come on.
I've got you.
Good job.
You're OK.
Isaksen?
Here comes another one.
- Isaksen!
- No!
Bring the rope!
Man overboard!
Man overboard!
Get me a rope!
Isaksen!
Help him!
Isaksen, grab the rope!
Help me!
Come back!
Mrk?
Did someone fall overboard?
Skar?
The second radio operator.
We'll make it.
The bridge is yours.
Next time you want to thin
the ranks, do it yourself!
We saved the ship and the cargo.
He did it. He was a boy!
My job is to make
tough decisions.
Yours was not to steer us
into a minefield.
If we had held my course,
he never would have
ended up in the water.
Let me help you with your shirt.
Where are Isaksen's possessions?
Is this his?
And this?
No, that's Olof's.
Try to keep things
tidier in here.
I need to get off this ship.
- Engine status?
- Are you listening? I can't ...
You listen to me!
No one is here
of their own free will.
Erik, you have
the most important job on board.
If the engine fails, we're done.
If you can get us to Murmansk
one more time, I'll help you.
I know a doctor there.
You'll be discharged
if I tell him you're sick.
OK.
Syphilis, maybe?
So, what's the status?
If we can keep it under
half steam, we should be fine.
Good.
Now eat.
What are you doing here, anyway?
What do you mean?
Sweden is neutral.
They aren't part
of the war effort.
There's this
German
wood-processing company.
In Munich.
Called Koch & Seidelman.
Ever heard of it?
They make stocks
for the Mauser Karabiner 98k
and other German guns.
And that wood comes from,
among other places,
a forest in Hrryda,
outside Gteborg.
From trees I played in
as a child.
We didn't have much,
but we had a small forest.
And when the Germans cut off
all other trade routes ...
You have to earn a living.
But no one's
exactly proud of it.
So I wanted another story
about my family as well.
If it were me,
I would have stayed home.
I would do anything
not to be here.
I need Isaksen's possessions.
Here are his books.
None of the other boys
know Morse code,
so you'll have to ...
Fine.
There's trouble
in the crew mess.
I usually send my first mate
to take care of that.
If you think you can handle it.
Rumors about the escort
have spread.
They deserve an explanation.
We lost a man today.
Do they really need
more bad news?
"A man"?
Don't you even know his name?
I don't know any of their names.
His name was Isaksen.
And I think
you should deal with this.
"Distress signal.
Torpedo. Ship sinking."
"We have been bombed.
Abandoning ship now."
They're sending us straight to
hell without batting an eyelid!
Yes.
I have informed your crew
that we no longer have an escort
and that our captain
is leading us
on a goddamn suicide mission!
Listen up.
It's true that our situation
has taken a turn for the worse.
That knowledge is a burden
that should not
rest on the crew.
You have failed in your duty.
Chosen to spread
fear and anxiety.
That benefits no one.
Sit down.
Fortunately
the bosun is wrong.
There are advantages
to the convoy dispersing.
Now we can choose
our own bearing and speed.
At full speed,
no U-boat can catch us.
The Soviets are our allies.
They need help.
Thousands of them
die every day
fighting the Germans
on the Eastern Front.
Should we have it any easier?
Do you hope someone else
will do your job for you?
Norway had no defense.
I was in a trench in Rena
when the Germans came.
We had four rifles for 18 men.
Ran out of ammo in an hour.
We didn't stand a chance
and Norway was lost.
We can thank our government
for downsizing the military
and fleeing the country.
We lost a man today.
Isaksen.
But he didn't die in vain.
He died for the cargo
on this ship.
If the Soviets get
these reinforcements,
they will push the Germans back.
We can give them the opportunity
our fighters never got.
And this war will end.
Our contribution,
Isaksen's contribution,
makes that difference.
And that is how
we will get home.
Captain?
Captain, this is no good.
Assemble the officers
so we can discuss ...
Distress signal from no. 23.
It was cut off.
No coordinates.
Ragnhild, do you see
what's happening?
Skar's plan has gone wrong.
You may not understand
all his decisions.
No. And you know what?
I'm not the only one.
Soon the crew
will turn on him again.
But he listens to you.
He's crossed the Atlantic
15 times.
He knows what he's doing.
No, he doesn't.
He's lying to the crew,
that's what he's doing.
We have received distress
signals from half the ships.
Doesn't mean they've been lost.
We need to change course.
Captain,
I think we can see no. 23.
It was attacked
a few minutes ago.
What's so hard to understand?
Even Ragnhild agrees.
Why can't you see
this is hopeless?
I've heard enough from you,
you coward.
All you do is whine!
You're terrified
and full of crap!
You only think about yourself.
Instead of taking
responsibility.
All you can say is
"stay the course"!
How did things go
the last time you were captain?
Exactly. If you want to save
more lives than your own,
stay the course.
Airplane starboard bow!
Only essential crew on deck.
Now!
Get below deck.
Move!
Lars!
Get everyone below deck!
Everyone below deck!
Go! Everyone below deck!
Move!
Come on!
Everyone below deck!
Below deck!
Get below deck!
Bolt!
Pull!
Take cover!
Evensen!
Remain calm!
Find something to stop the leak!
Here, hold this!
Turn the bow toward the plane.
Flank speed!
You can't mean that.
Flank speed!
Increase the pressure!
As soon as the Swede has fired,
hard to starboard!
Magazine!
Sigurd!
Fire on deck!
There's fire on the deck!
Lars!
Fire on deck!
Stay down here!
Ready!
- Hard to starboard!
- Hard to starboard!
Come on, get us around!
One more turn.
Sigurd!
Magazine!
Evensen!
Evensen, get out of there!
One more turn!
There we go.
Sigurd!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Evensen,
we have to get below deck!
- They're coming back!
- Hurry, hurry!
Stay down, stay down!
Come on!
Magazine!
Come on!
Come on, Evensen!
Ready!
Get down!
Come on.
Go, go, go!
The bridge has been hit!
Bring him down to the galley.
Maintain bearing.
Where the hell is it?
It's coming around again.
Hard to port!
Hard to port!
We have to get
this fragment out.
Cut his clothes.
We're giving you some morphine.
OK, hold it open.
I ...
You hold him, Lars.
Steer the bow toward the plane.
Easy to starboard.
Straight now.
Steady course.
Good job.
Here.
Excellent.
Scissors.
Cut there.
Well done.
He's sleeping now.
Ready!
- Steady course!
- Steady course!
Hold it ...
Fire!
Fire!
We got it.
- We hit it?
- Yes.
We got it.
Are you okay?
Yes.
Evensen?
Will he make it?
If he doesn't have
internal bleeding.
How long will the morphine last?
I don't know.
A couple hours, maybe.
Do we have more?
Yes.
I'll check his condition
when he wakes up again.
No.
As long as he's unconscious,
I'm in charge.
What do you mean?
We can save the entire crew.
We can return to Iceland.
- You'll be arrested.
- I take full responsibility.
I want no part of this.
- You don't?
- No.
- I need you on the bridge.
- No.
- I need you on the bridge!
- Not a chance.
The bridge!
Now.
We won't get this chance again.
Please.
I'm not giving him that shot.
Hey!
I made it very clear
we can't run full steam ahead.
The captain was injured
during the attack.
Will he make it?
Yes, we think so.
But he's out of commission.
I'm in command for now.
- Fire up the engine.
- It's dead.
We have multiple steam leaks
and the propeller shaft
is about to fail.
We can go slow for a few miles,
but we need a full shutdown
for 12-14 hours
to get this mess working again.
Why has the engine stopped?
It needs to be repaired.
The chief needs
at least 12 hours.
Twelve hours?
I'm still receiving
distress signals.
I don't know how many are left.
And you want us to drift
around like a sitting duck
for 12 hours?
We can go a few more miles
at slow speed.
What's your plan?
I don't know.
- You don't know?
- No, I don't know!
I need us to stand together now.
Give me everything you've got
for as long as you can.
Change course.
340 degrees.
340 degrees.
We lost Evensen.
The captain
is seriously injured.
The engine is about to fail.
We have significant damage
to the hull and deck.
I know this isn't
what you needed to hear.
But all hope is not lost.
It isn't.
We are sailing north.
Out of range of German planes.
The drift ice is so thick
that U-boats are of no use.
That will give us time
to make the necessary repairs.
So we can remain afloat.
Jesus, help me feel peace
You don't have to do
this for me.
Do it for each other.
And for those waiting for us
back home.
Let me hear Your voice
One line for every downed plane.
Give me your arm.
I haven't shot down any planes.
It applies to both gunner
and gunner's mate.
I learned that
at the naval academy.
We were just attacked
by two German planes
and almost blown sky high.
This is a little needle.
With some ink.
Sit still.
You okay?
My mom will kill me
if she sees this.
I'm sure she'll forgive you.
I got my first one
at a tattoo parlor
in Halifax, Canada.
The tattoo artist was shitfaced.
But so was I.
So I figured,
dammit,
I might as well do it myself.
Now there's no longer any doubt
that you have met the enemy.
To Evensen.
And Isaksen.
And Olof.
Who is Olof?
The man who had your job
before you.
My brother.
So, nine lines.
No matter what,
I want at least one more
before this war is over.
That's just how it is.
The ice is too thick.
It's frozen solid.
Can't even load it.
No problem.
We're far enough north anyway.
How much time do you need?
I don't know.
It'll take as long as it takes.
In the meantime
we're keeping the boiler warm.
Just enough to heat the ship.
Without any visible smoke
from the funnel.
Mrk?
I just wanted you to know
that I have an agreement
with the captain.
He promised
that I'll get discharged
as soon as we arrive
in Murmansk.
No.
I wouldn't believe
everything he says.
It looks like
this might just work.
If the chief can fix the engine
and the crew can rest,
we may get past the North Cape
without being spotted.
After that,
we'll have Russian support.
I wouldn't count on that.
Why not?
I've waited for help
from the Russians before.
In a lifeboat with 15 other men.
We were so close to Murmansk,
we expected help at any minute.
Half the men froze to death
the first night.
Two of them were frozen
to the lifeboat.
We couldn't get them overboard.
Three ships passed us
the next day.
No one picked us up.
On the last ship,
they stood waving on deck.
Only
four of us survived.
We won't get any help.
We are all alone.
Maybe that's to our advantage
this time.
They won't be expecting
one lone ship
several days after the others.
Skar is missing.
I'll search down here,
you go up.
Skar?
How are you feeling?
You remember
you were injured, right?
I remember there was trouble
in the crew mess.
And that I armed myself.
Then I woke up,
locked in my cabin with no gun.
I had to ...
I locked it in your safe.
And I didn't want the crew
to disturb you,
so I locked your door.
The Swede managed
to down the plane.
But the ship sustained
significant damage.
And we lost a seaman.
Evensen.
I saw that.
It was surprising
to look outside.
White,
as far as the eye can see.
We appear to be
significantly off course.
Yes, we have stopped
between Spitsbergen and Hopen.
To have time to repair
the engine undisturbed.
It broke down.
Mrk?
- Yes?
- Another plane.
There's a plane to starboard.
Far away. Impossible
to determine its course.
There's a chance
it won't see us.
East of Spitsbergen is well
within range of German planes.
What were you thinking?
They'll come.
Have the Swede man the gun.
It's frozen.
What?
We have three Bofors guns
in the cargo bay.
Know how to use it?
A Bofors 40 mm L/60.
Swedish.
Who said Sweden
doesn't contribute?
We can't get it up on deck
without a crane.
We'll have to do it
through the cargo hatch.
I can no longer see the plane.
But the weather is lifting.
We're too visible.
They'll spot us.
- Ragnhild?
- Yes.
What color was this ship
before it was painted gray?
Lower the foot plate.
I found it!
White paint.
Captain,
we have a load of white paint.
Permission to use it
on the hull?
It will be harder to spot us
if we blend in with the ice.
If that's what you need to calm
your nerves, by all means.
Grab everything you can find.
We'll get one chance.
The plane has to pass
right over us.
We'll be ready when it comes.
Lars?
Keep lookout.
Let us know if the plane starts
heading toward us.
Aye, aye.
I see a Junkers 88.
About five miles away.
It's coming toward us.
Four miles!
Fire as soon as you have a shot.
It's coming from the southeast.
Turn the cannon
30 degrees to port.
Sigurd.
Stop.
If they have seen us,
they will have reported
to the other planes.
Not necessarily.
It must have.
Ragnhild?
The Germans
will have communicated
our position, right?
Lars, are there more planes
heading our way?
Negative!
It's heading straight for us!
Positions!
Move.
Move!
Lars, are there still
no other planes?
No, only the one.
Three miles.
Get ready.
They haven't seen us.
We're camouflaged. Don't fire!
He's heading straight for us.
We're firing.
Captain, I think he's right.
They would have sent
more planes.
Miss,
and we reveal our position.
Hit it, and we will also reveal
our position.
We're sitting ducks.
If they drop a bomb, we're done!
But they haven't seen us!
One mile!
- Don't fire.
- Shut up!
You aren't in command
of this ship!
Nine hundred meters!
Pull the trigger as soon
as it's in your sights, Johan.
If you fire now,
we're doomed.
Fire as soon
as you have a chance.
The key is to know when to fire.
Lars, it's up to you!
Ready?
Five hundred meters!
Three hundred meters!
Three!
Two!
I think you should wait.
One!
- Now!
- Fire!
Status?
The engine is ready.
It should be able to run
at full steam now.
Good.
Well done.
Hm?
How are you doing?
Fine.
The engine is ready.
You should rest.
It hurts less when I'm seated.
How long have you been at sea?
Two years
and three months.
Long time to be away
from your kids.
You may not recognize them
when you get back home.
They may not recognize me,
either.
How old are yours?
Those aren't my kids.
Don't you recognize
that little boy on the right?
That's me.
Orphanage.
My family
is in that picture up top.
I found my family among sailors.
There's one thing
you should know
about morphine.
It works equally well just
under the skin or in a muscle.
So there was no point
in injecting it
straight into my carotid artery.
Right.
I ...
I would do the same thing again.
I've always thought
one man should make the calls
on a ship.
Or you'll have anarchy.
Now I'm no longer so sure.
I think I'll rest now.
Yes.
Need any help?
No.
Go ahead.
The bridge is yours, Mrk.
Yes.
Still no distress signals?
I haven't seen any planes,
either.
That doesn't have to mean
that we ...
Thank you.
For supporting me.
I didn't support you.
I said what I thought was right.
Right.
How is he?
Last convoy,
the route ran so close
to the coast
that I could have rowed home.
When were you home last?
Four years ago.
August, '38.
What do you think?
Iceland?
No.
You said it yourself.
No one is expecting a lone ship
several days after the others.
Half speed astern.