Whiskey on the Rocks

The critics of this television program don't understand Swedish international relations and military history very well. During the Weimar Republic, Sweden helped aid German militarism, a process that continued during the war (Wiebes, C., & Aalders, G. H., The Art of Cloaking Ownership. The Case of Sweden. The Secret Collaboration and Protection of the German War Industry by the Neutrals, Amsterdam University Press, 1996). During the lead up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden spent the years 2009 to 2021 importing $72,647,114,698 worth of Russian oil, the equivalent of 8/14% of the Russian military budget which was $892,019,600,000 (based on UN and SIPRI statistics). Sweden aided its alleged enemy or security threat yet again. This television shows again the now established pattern, i.e. The Swedish military helps undermine Swedish security in the face of security threats (real, imagined or exaggerated). That's the key to this drama. In contrast, diplomacy, cooperation with the state framed as "enemy," and old fashioned common sense helps solve conflicts far more effectively. The lesson builds on history and was confirmed by academic studies thereafter (Stern, Eric, and Bengt Sundelius. "Managing asymmetrical crisis: Sweden, the USSR, and U-137." International Studies Quarterly 36.2 (1992): 213-239). For this reason, the movie is trashed by militarists, the Swedish military, and militarily over-interested persons, what is called in the singular "MÖP" - "militärt överintresserad person" (in Swedish). So, this comedy is far more relevant and important than the army of so-called "defense experts" who blather on about Russian threats and can't admit to the culpability of NATO expansion in helping to trigger Russian militarism. They want to eradicate the history which is cleverly conveyed in this documentary.

It's meant to be comical and take into far sometimes. It pokes fun at all nationalities involved. If you like Guy Richie movies, this is a good series for you. It is weird in places. The actors are not meant to be like the leaders at the time. They're meant to just give a comical taste of the serious events that actually happened. It's Swedish production. So let them do what they want with it! Great fun, edgy, & you want another series really.

Good film effects & camera shots. Probably boast, but the only British actor is Mark Noble who plays The President of USA & his scenes are the funniest! Good humour!

This is a welcome satirical tale in dark times. We need more laughs, not less. I don't see the problem of doing a comedy based on true facts. This was a dramatic but also embarrassing event at the time it happened. A breath of fresh air for fans of Armando Ianucci and Jonas Jonasson. Clever script, wrapping uncomfortable truths in humor and absurdity.

For a Swedish production, the humor is biting, and often dark, but it's also grounded in very human moments.

Some great and tense wargame scenes.

Whiskey on the Rocks is an nice addition to the landscape of dark comedy and satires on television.

A not fully truthfull but really fun description of the events following the stranded Russian U-boat in Swedish waters. I myself served in the army during this event and can assure that it was a really tense situation. The following decade was full of imagined incidents. U-boats, russian divers snooping around in Stockholm, spies taking pictures in prohibited areas. Some of it probably true, some of it probably just "the Russian scare" running amok in peoples imagination. It was a another time then, God knows what would happen today if there was a U-boat loaded with nuclear warheads stranded yet again...

Whiskey on the Rocks is a delightful and satirical take on one of the Cold War's most bizarre and tense moments-the grounding of the Soviet submarine U 137 in Swedish waters. The series brilliantly juxtaposes historical gravity with humor, crafting an entertaining narrative that simultaneously pokes fun at the absurdities of the situation and paints a vivid picture of its era.

The stunning cinematography captures the cold, tense beauty of the Swedish archipelago, while the meticulous period details transport viewers back to the 1980s. Rolf Lassgård's portrayal of Prime Minister Thorbjörn Fälldin adds depth and authenticity to the story, balancing the weight of political responsibility with the comedic undertones of the script.

The writing is a standout feature, offering a playful, irreverent lens through which to view this historical event. The vodka-fueled antics of the submarine crew are portrayed with such charm and wit that they feel like characters straight out of The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. This resemblance underscores the series' knack for blending historical fact with whimsical fiction, creating a narrative that's as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

Whiskey on the Rocks may have sparked controversy for its timing and tone, but as a piece of satirical art, it succeeds in turning a Cold War flashpoint into a uniquely Swedish comedy of errors. It's a must-watch for fans of history, satire, and striking cinematography.