'The 12th Man' is a gripping, heart wrenching survival story, based on fact. Due to the film being so well made, and brilliant acting by Thomas Gullestad, this was a very difficult watch.
The cinematography is stunning with breathtakingly beautiful scenery. As the film progresses, it almost becomes torture for the viewer, too. Torture from having to endure (and experience) what Jan Baalsrud (Gullestad) went through. Through Gullestad's incredible acting, I felt every inch of agony and pain of his character. It is also beautifully inspirational to see how helpful people can be in desperate times, risking their own lives in the process. Be warned, some scenes are cringe worthy due to their graphic nature.
The film's run time did feel a bit too long, but nevertheless effective in conveying what Baalsrud was going through, having to overcome obstacle upon obstacle over a 2-month period. 'The 12th Man' is an excellent production and fascinating tale, but indeed a difficult watch.
