Betrayal centres around Nazi occupied Norway in 1943, with rampant profiteers making a killing from supplying the Nazis with both raw materials and luxuries. Tor Lindblom (Fridtjov Såheim), is but one of those profiteers, operating out of his popular Oslo nightclub, Club Havana. However, due to his crucial involvement with the construction of an aluminium factory that will greatly boost the Nazis' ailing efforts on the Eastern Front, the British Government has marked Lindblom for death. Double agent Eva (Lene Nystrøm) along with Tor's pilot brother Svein (Kåre Conradi), must take out Tor and get the plans for the factory to British intelligence before their intentions are discovered by the Gestapo.
Based on true events, Betrayal's story does not translate at all well from the pages of history to an exciting 90 odd minutes of cinema. It's very obvious from the beginning as to what everyone's patterns of behaviour will be and what they will all do to achieve their aims. Although there is some scope for creating tension and drama, there needs to be some sort of elevation of the material to make this work effectively. This is where Betrayal really finds it's major fault; the limp and stodgy direction from helmer Hakon Gunderson.
Proceedings take on a very slow pace, with well over two thirds of it's running time going by before attempts at excitement kick in. Even then, the action is very perfunctory with a distinct lack of tension or thrills. Certainly, the movie is well put together, with a satisfying feeling of authenticity to it's overall look, as well as being handsomely filmed. However, there is no real zip to the direction and as the story lumbers on, any feeling of involvement in the drama quickly fades.
The languid nature of the movie also takes it's toll on Gunderson's ability to elicit convincing portrayals from some of the cast it seems, with the two brothers Tor and Svein (although both are hopelessly miscast) being more akin to sacks of spuds than crucial and dynamic drivers of the plot. However, while Nystrøm's turn as the heroine is pretty good, the real star of the show is prolific German actor Götz Otto as Krüger, the greedy and corrupt Gestapo officer and business partner of Lindblom. Otto really has screen presence and portrays his role with great relish.
Regrettably, there is not much else to recommend Betrayal. Filmed, framed and shot very well, with a convincing attention to detail, the skill of the crew does come through to the viewer. However the lack of tension, predictability and ponderous pacing make this wartime thriller a rather drab affair indeed.
