The 12th Man

The sole survivor of a failed Norwegian commando raid endures a harrowing months-long trek through arctic conditions to evade German pursuit and reach neutral Sweden. Along the way he depends on the courage of local villagers who risk their lives to shelter and guide him.

Jan Baalsrud was the only survivor of the twelve-man Operation Martin Red sabotage team sent from Britain in 1943; his escape through northern Norway with the help of civilians became a celebrated story of Norwegian resistance endurance.

The film is closely based on Baalsrud's own accounts and historical records, though some details are dramatized for pacing.

Directed by Harald Zwart

Cast: Thomas Gullestad, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Marie Blokhus

Positioned at March–May 1943 within the Norwegian resistance escape phase of the war, as part of the Operation Martin Red aftermath. This is entry 96 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Norway
• escape
• arctic
• resistance
• true story

• 

  The Heroes of Telemark

  February 1943 – February 1944

• 

  Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

  18–22 February 1943

• 

  Escape from Sobibor

  14 October 1943

• 

  Max Manus: Man of War

  1940–1945

• 

  The King's Choice

  9–11 April 1940

• 

  Lust, Caution

  1938–1942