User reviews

That's not me saying or asking that, but what the majority of the people who rented it at our videostore kept saying. So there must be something to it then I guess. He has the stoic charisma of the famous British actor, but you shouldn't really compare the movies (Bond on one hand and this on the other).

Hamilton is a pretty neat and slick movie that has a few things going for it. There is a fight scene towards the end, that is really good. There are a few developments that you might not foresee as they happen and it does not take prisoners. Very uncompromising then, but very good for it too. It's an international cast, with a big conspiracy and a view on the world, that some might feel is very close to reality. Whatever you may think about plausibility though, the movie is very well executed ... no pun intended

I have not read any of Jan Guillou's Hamilton novels. I have thought about it but as of yet haven't gotten round to it. But from what I've heard about this movie it is very loosely based on the books. Most of the Hamilton books were written from the middle of the 1980s to the middle of 1990s. One could compare it to the movie Casino Royale in the way that it has been modernised to the post 9/11 world. So what I mean is this movie is completely self standing, you won't have to read the books or see any of the previous Hamilton movies.

So what did I think of this movie? The short answer: it is no more than an average action flick.

The look of the movie is outstanding for a Swedish one. I don't mean that in a bad way but it visually has taken a big step towards international standards. Sweden makes good movies but the action ones hasn't been their strongest. The technical aspects of this movie are just so impressive. Both the execution of the action scenes and the overall look of the film makes me think of the Bourne movies. And yes there is some shaky cam in the action. Still it's not a problem, it works fine most of the time helping to create this brutal feel that the movie has. And talking of brutal that is something the movie really is. A lot of graphic killing scenes and the characters take down guys with little hesitation. Is it unnecessary much? No I don't think so but don't expect the lean back action blockbuster type of film. Music fits well for the tone of the film but nothing memorable.

Those were the strong parts of Hamilton - I nationens intresse. Now on to the weak ones. The by far biggest weakness in it is the complete lack of a interesting story. It is something about private military companies and false flag operations. But half ways in to it one has pretty much lost track of what is really going on but it doesn't matter because the action is the only really entertainment you will find here. When I after the movie were talking to other about what story really was one realises that it is just the usual conspiracy stuff that you neither want nor need to follow. The only part where I saw the tiny glimmer of interest was Carl Hamilton as a character, so maybe I should go and read the books. But all this falls completely on the acting, oh the acting. It's a long time since I've seen performances as wooden as these. I mean one knows how Mikael Persbrandt acts and it is no difference here. He looks cool and has really trained his body up for the part but he shows less emotion than the Terminator. But I must partly blame the director here because it is not just him. The entire cast are more stiff than statues. And there are many actors here that I know can act, having seen them in many other movies. There is absolutely no life beneath the good looking surface. Neither in the story or the characters.

To sum up my short review of Hamilton - I nationens intresse. The production is great, looks stylish and the action is among the best I have seen in a Swedish film. But the dull plot and some of the worst acting I have seen in a long time makes this fail almost entirely as a whole.

In my personal opinion this movie is a much more realistic version of any "American style" "secret agent" movie. It has action, never gets boring, it has fights and explosions. What differs the main character most from let's say a "transporter", is that the movie is not giving him one of the usual stereotypes of "bad stories from the past". In fact the movie does start with quite a shocking moment, something one rarely seen in other action movies, and later on in the movie there is actually a moment of thought in terms of "even agents are under law". So if you once in a while get bored by transporter 3 and would like to see an unknown but credible face on screen, I think you will like this movie.

This is the latest installment in the Hamilton franchise, the first feature film was made in 1989 (Täcknamn Coq Rouge)at that time Stellan Skarsgård played Hamilton. Over the years there have been many TV/film productions about Hamilton made specifically for a Swedish audience.

For people who are not familiar with the Hamilton series/franchise, its basically the Swedish equivalent to James Bond or Jason Bourne. Hamilton is a secret agent with a license to kill, has been trained by the US Navy Seals and undergone training at the Swedish special forces.

This film series is based on a popular book series written by left wing radical author/journalist Jan Guillou and therefore offers a more leftist, liberal point view in the world of espionage.

Hamilton - I nationens intresse (2012)is based on one of the novels that was written during the cold war and some storyline details, people, etc have been changed in order to update the material.

The story is pretty simple, Hamilton goes undercover with a group of Russian weapons smuggler who are stealing Swedish made rockets. But the smugglers gets attacked by a unknown group of heavily armed soldiers.

Hamilton suspects they might have connection to a Private military contractor, based in the USA. He starts to investigate, but quickly ends in trouble...

As I mentioned earlier there have been many adaptations of the books, mainly made for Swedish TV. The technical quality have been poor, or downright crappy. This film however has a very impressive, high, production value, direction and some nice action sequences, rarely seen in Swedish film.

Director Kathrine Windfeld seems to be very inspired by the films of Paul Greengrass, especially his work on the Bourne franchise.

Hamilton in this film is more darker, complex character, then I've ever seen him before. Mikael Persbrandt brings a lot of personality and depth, which is pretty impressive because the books portray him as an cartoon figure, superhero who has no flaws.

Here he is more human, flawed, brooding and is haunted by his job, the decisions he has to make. And how can he continue having this job and live a normal life? Its nice update by Kathrine Windfeld and screenwriter Stefan Thunberg.

Casting overall is pretty good but contains some surprises.

Seba Mubarak as Mouna Al Fathar, a PLO intelligence officer, friend and colleague to Hamilton is well casted. But the problem is that Mouna was more independent, in the books, and here almost does nothing other looking beautiful next to Hamilton.

It isn't Seba Mubarak fault, mainly a script flaw, and a waste of a talented actress who has nothing do. But I was surprised that they didn't cast some Swedish actors with middleastern background, like Nina Zanjani, Nour El-Refai etc.

Lennart Hjulström as Hamiltons closest boss and father figure is excellent and does his job perfect. And he comes close to the original in the books.

Jason Flemyng as Rob Hart is good but I felt that this should been played by an American actor, someone like Michael Madsen, Michael Biehn etc. Rob Hart is one of the bad guys and Flemyng seems to have had a lot of fun with the character.

The biggest problem with this film is the script, it touches on some very interesting subjects like Swedish weapons export, corruption among Swedish politicians, private military contractors, but unfortunately Stefan Thunberg doesn't manage to fit the pieces together.

Too bad, because recently a new discussion has blossomed in Sweden over sales of weapons to Saudi arabia. Also and ongoing discussion about certain politicians and their connections to an oil company called Lundin Oil.

One of the largest stock holders is Swedish minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt. When two Swedish journalists wanted to investigate Lundin oils affairs in Sudan, they were arrested. Bildt has so far done nothing to release them.

All the above mentioned is touched upon but never developed throughout the film.

So a very flawed film experience but with higher production values then usual. So future viewers who expect this film to be better then Green Zone (2010), Shooter (2007) might be disappointed.

But it is worth a rental, mainly because of Persbrandts approach to Hamilton.

This Swedish movie/TV production ain't that bad as I thought it would be. 6/10 for a Swedish action movie based on a Jan Guillou novel is a high rating in my book.

The film's better features one can thank in particular Michael Pers Brant (who I'm not a huge fan of normally) and Seba Mubarak (her, I would like to see in future major roles). Gustaf Hammarsten as Swedish technical consultant is both believable and nicely played. The role is however small. Seba felt like the filmmakers could not portray fairly. She gave more than enough, but they could not capture it fully. Big, big disappointment is August, Ekborg, Hjulström and in most scenes Anderson. They come in, read their lines and done. Zero intensity. I expected much more from these Swedish giants. The foreign crew how ever did fits into well. They do a good job and feels credible. I would not nominate any actor in this production for any award though.

The close combat scenes stinks and there are other scenes when it feels like someone poured syrup in the machinery. There are times when slow tempo adds ... but usually it will just fall flat, boring and TTBA (Try To Be Artsy).

The screenplay is more pretentious than good. I have no high thoughts of Jan Guillou. In my opinion he is probably one of the most speculative writer, journalist and media personality in Sweden. That and a nasty self-righteous attitude shines through in all his productions.

Many negative words for a movie I rate 6/10 but thats the thing. It is never the less entertaining and if one starts to watch one want to see the whole movie.

The efficient Swedish agent Carl Hamilton (Mikael Persbrandt) is working undercover in a Russian Mafia that deal two hundred Swedish weapons to Afeghanistan terrorists. Out of the blue, they are attacked by American mercenaries that kill all the dealers and buyers of weapons, but Hamilton escapes. Soon he learns that the mercenaries have the Swedish Martin Lagerbäck (Gustaf Hammarsten) in their base and Hamilton goes to the spot to retrieve him. He also learns that the American Benjamin Lee (Ray Fearon) is prisoner of the group and he rescues him. He discovers that Lee knows that the American mercenaries led by Rob Hart (Jason Flemyng) are forging attacks to leaders to blame terrorists groups and the next target will evolve the Swedish Prime Minister. He teams up with his partner Mouna Al Fathar (Saba Mubarak) to stop Hart and hos crew. Will they succeed?

"Hamilton: I nationens intresse" is a great Swedish action movie with a complex and well built plot. The subplot with Dr. Maria Solska, performed by Fanny Risberg, is forgettable and does not adda nything to the storyline. But the storyline is excellent and the film is worthwhile watching. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Agente H - Conspiração Terrorista" (Agent H - Terrorist Conspiration")

This is an impressive flick from Sweden , the film displays suspense , action-packed , thriller , violent fights and results to be quite entertaining . This "Hamilton I" (2012) by Kathrine Windfeld boasts a good cast with Mikael Persbrandt , Saba Mubarak , Pernilla August , Jason Flemyng . Stars Swedish intelligence special agent Carl Hamilton (Mikael Persbrandt, in preparation for the role was trained by SSG, the Swedish Elite Force) gets busy when is assigned the dangerous mission to chase a group of Soviet rebels intend to smuggle powerful Swedish weapons. He goes undercover and joins a Russian mafia organization that smuggles swedish weapons (he tracks 200 stolen grenades) to terrorists at the Uzbek/Afghan border. Swedish agent Hamilton kills both dealers and buyers and steal the grenades. Who are they and what do they want with the grenades are the main questions that Hamilton has to solve. Suddenly they are attacked by unknown group of heavily armed men led by mercenary Rob Hart (Jason Flemyng) who kill everybody except Hamilton and take the weapons. Hamilton starts chasing them across the world. Along the way , an international conspiracy takes place with a traitor in the Swedish government, resulting in fateful consequences. Alongside an attempt to assasinate an African president happens , and special agent Hamilton learns that he will get no help from the Swedish secret services. Hamilton only has help of his friend , Lybian agent Mouna Al Fathar (Seba Mubarak). There are various questions to find out such as to determinate who are they and who are they working for.

Sweden production with plenty of action , violence , struggles , crossfire and spectacular action scenes , being filmed with high budget and Swedish players. This Sweden production stars Hamilton , a tough action hero , a Swedish James Bond-lookalike , being one-faced agent who'll stop at nothing to get his purports and at whatever cost , including grisly killings in cold blood . Carl and his colleague must risk life and attempt to stop an assassination conspiracy . A well done Swedish Action-Flic in old style , this "Hamilton" is a very entertaining and action-packed with full of suspense , shootouts , thriller and lots of violence . Mikael Persbrandt is nearly as good as other Hamiltons previously performed by Stellan Skarsgard and Peter Stormare . Here Hamilton/Mikael Persbrandt is forced to play by his own rules by confronting killer mercenaries. Mikael Persbrandt prepared for the role of Carl Hamilton by training with the American Navy Seals in San Diego for an extensive period of time , learning techniques such as silent takedowns , self-defence fighting and weapon disarming . Based on the novels by Jan Guillou , but the books are in fact better because of the many details given about the different secret services and political conspirations . It keeps the audience reminded of the fact that good & evil deeds depends on whom you are pulling for. It's action with a nice twist , making it agreeable and interesting enough. The highlights of the film are the impressive beginning with strong fights , pursuits and explosions . This is an acceptable movie but it really lacks Jean Guillou's humor and political commentary witch makes the movie seem a little monotone at times . It displays a colorful cinematography shot in Swedish exteriors , such as : Strömmen, Slussen , Södermalm, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden .

It had a sequel ¨Hamilton 2¨ (2012) or Hamilton: Men inte om det gäller din dotter by Tobias Falk with Mikael Persbrandt , Saba Mubarak , Frida Hallgren, Peter Eggers, Steven Waddington . And other renditions : "Codename Coq Rouge" 1989 by Per Berglund with Stella Skarsgard . "The Democratic Terrorist" 1992 by Per Berglund with Stellan Skarsgard . "Comando Hamilton" 1998 by Harald Zwart with Peter Stormare , Mark Hamill , Lena Olin. "Hamilton" (2001-2001) TV series , 4 episodes with Peter Stormare , Terry Carter ,among others .

I've read all the other reviews and I think some other reviewers are speaking about a different film.

This movie was very comfortable to watch. Sure, plot has been done before. But so what, that doesn't mean it cant be done again by different characters. I think all of the characters were portrayed quit convincingly. I was very comfortable with all of the acting and script.

This movie looked and felt more real and more believable to me than many many other top rated action movies.

The direction was spot on. All of the action all went off very realistically.

There are some twists to the plot that I certainly didn't expect. I'm quite sure this is an enjoyable movie for all action film lovers if you don't expect all action movies to be done with the same style of direction.

I do hope to see more of these actors and the characters they portrayed in this movie.

With a budget of 45,000,000 SEK, one might have thought that this movie would revolutionize the way we look at Swedish action films. In all honesty, it never came close.

I was pretty stoked about this film, mainly because of all the hype it received prior to screening. I became particularly interested when I heard that Kathrine Windfeld would direct it. One of the selling points the movie had was that it was directed by a woman, something that according to the actors themselves would bring more depth to the characters.

Well, that didn't happen at all. Mikael Persbrandt is playing himself, basically. Boring, a "try-to-look-cool-for-the-camera guy", while delivering his lines like there was a teleprompter in front of him.

There is no real development of the characters, and the plot just falls flat pretty early in the movie. This movie tries to hard, making it just another film in the dozen. Also, the English spoken by the Swedish actors is extremely bad, it really distracts and completely ruins bits of the experience.

On the positive side (yes, there are some), I have to mention the special effects. The team did a solid job on that, kudos!

Other than that, I would not recommend you seeing this. It's worth a rent at the most, some people might enjoy seeing a Swedish blockbuster. A big flop, unfortunately!

If you like your movies with boring action scenes, undeveloped and uninteresting characters, a story that could have been applied to action-hero from Arnold to Stallone to Craig to Damon and a musical score with no personality what so ever then Hamilton is the film for you.

The movie opens grandly with an EXTREME closeup on Persbrandts nose. Persbrandt plays Hamilton just like he plays his famous Gunvald-character in Beck, only that this time he is more restrained. His "acting" is holding the same emotion through the entire film and hardly ever showing any emotions at all.

The only interesting part of the movie goes nowhere. It involves Hamilton having a traumatic experience with his girlfriend and was more interesting than the stock-plot of the film.

The villain was just your stock action villain with no personality at all. Actually, nobody in this film had a personality.

The photography was terrible, the camera was shaking like the tail of a rattlesnake in every shot and I never could tell what was going on.

Just plain bad.

When this novel came in the 80s, the Russian communists were the bad guys. Now, it's an American private army, with good CIA connections, being lead from Houston. Through terrorist attacks, they want to provoke a war between Ethiopia and Somalia. Which is good for business.

The films about Commander Hamilton are always comical. It doesn't become less so, from the fact that the actor playing the main character is almost 50, which doesn't prevent him from being the winner in many close combat fights.

As usual in these sort of movies, the intelligence service and the politicians are bad parodies on everything. Entertaining yes, but in the wrong way.

Very nice movie from Sweden. I had a quick look at the critics written before this one and must say: Sweden was not famous for Action Movies but this will change if they shoot more like Hamilton. Very nice Cinematography and good casting. I don't see the point in complaining about the plot, the plot is similar to a James Bond or Bourne Story and it works just fine for me. And it did also work for the Swedish audience with about 360'000 admissions two weeks after its opening in Sweden. Looks like they have just waited for this one. If I got it right, then this is the first film out in the trilogy based on the novels by Jan Guillou. So there is a lot to look forward for me. I like it a lot to see when more Swedish productions are aiming at an international audience. We have had this with the Millennium trilogy as well.

The plot is so predictable that it's laughable. Evil == Americans (even private entrepreneurs - yuck) do the evil they always do. Fortunately a Swedish heartbroken intelligence officer helped from the good people of the PLO ensures that the over-all-places-ongoing American plotting against good organizations like the al-Shabab is hindered. Good - because the nice people in PLO would never want to come on the terror-lists from the only ever real terror-regime in the world: the United States.

Sorry for being too tough on this movie, since I personally think, that the best movies are made in Sweden. But that fella - Gillou - whose book the script is based on, is the star among authors who hate the free world, and must feel very sorry that his good friends in the former soviet KGB are not with us anymore - in the shape he knew the organization.

Only reason it deserves 4 stars is, that Mikael Persbrandt is in. Totally overlooked mega-star. Without him - no stars. Looking forward to see him in the Hobbit.

I saw this movie in the cinema yesterday , good movies should always bee seen in the cinema.

It was good action from beginning to the end and the movie had an interesting story.

It's a movie that makes you think , what if it's true ?

weapon industry wants to sell weapons and politicians and corporate leaders play dirty

My impression from old Swedish thrillers are old men talking to much and trying to look important , Hamilton is a big step up to real action in class with Sylvester Stallone , Bruce Willis and many more

Mikael Persbrandt delivers and so also all the other good actors.

I look forward to the next Hamilton movie , good work

After reading the hype about this film i was hoping for something fast paced and interesting. Sorry but i found it dull, slow paced and uninteresting and peculiarly poe faced. I couldn't even bother to finish the film as i made zero connection with the characters.

Exciting, good acting, scenes full of atmosphere. I hope to see more of Michael Persbrandt and the crew. I like the bad guy, really bad. Also in Mouna there are interesting perspectives. So. Wish the movie was longer - I would like to know the characters better... Shares some of its qualities with the new Bond-movies, ethically, aesthetically and Plot-wise. Well done by the female director! And by the way: High-level sound-work and music. I think that some of the mediocre reviews are connected to the fact that the movie is a threat to established concepts like 007.. So please - go on develop the unique Hamilton-concept.

According to my knowledge and information obtained from non-Scandinavian viewers, a Swedish/Scandinavian crime film is associated with Beck/Wallander type of detective, the events taking place in a Scandinavian and/or neighbouring country, slow running pace and much focusing on local nature. Hamilton is a more British/US secret service guy, the venue is global, scenes alternate in a fast motion and the persons act in an urban and military surroundings. Thus, a totally different concept, but apparently attracting more younger viewers. The cast is memorable and strong (Mikael Persbrandt as Carl Hamilton, Jason Flemyng as Mercenary Rob Hart, Pernilla August as Prime Minister - above all), with several British actors, the protagonist knows and speaks different languages and has both physical and mental challenges. The progress of events seems logical, technology achievements and vocabulary do not prevail, and there is no direct imitation of international agents and superheroes. A good result, no mediocre home-spun stuff, I am eager to watch new series with this character.

I've read all the other reviews and I think some other reviewers are speaking about a different film.

This movie was very comfortable to digest.

All of the characters were realistically portrayed . Artistic harmony between acting and script.

This movie is definitely more real and more believable than many other top rated action movies. Maybe "Traitor" (2008) has a close realistic plot. The direction was of high caliber and extremely professional which keeps the viewer engaged . All of the action went off very realistically.

The twists will leave an impression, so be observant while tuning in.

Great action from the start and did not disappoint. The lead actor was outstanding, and boy can he fight!!! If this were on a English subtitled DVD, I would buy it with no hesitation. Mikael Presbrandt was also great in BECK.