A rather dull first half changes halfway for an exciting ending to a panoramic film that on a big screen must have looked incredible. That is very noticeable over the opening credits as this very northern part of Norway as the helicopter with the camera pans over the Snowy Mountains region filled with crevices and nothing resembling life. We end up at a remote research laboratory where on all star cast is gather together, and they have to figure out which one are not see descendants looking for gold left after World War II.
Donald Sutherland is the hero and Vanessa Redgrave the leading lady, but unfortunately, she seems to be doing a Cloris Leachman impression with her fake accent, disappointing considering her many talents. They are joined by Lloyd Bridges, Christopher Lee, Richard Widmark and Barbara Parkins, but once again, no bears. There is really a Bear Island in Norway, so they are telling the truth about that. Don't confuse it with the one in North Carolina.
Halfway through the movie is where the action really starts, so up until then, the location photography is the star. But once the action starts, it's a non-stop, particularly when the radio tower crashes and everyone tries to think of who the saboteur could be. Great sound editing of the northern winds making the atmosphere very frightening, and chases on some opulent snowmobiles are very exciting. I was surprised to discover who the villain was which helped raise this a notch for me.
Donald Sutherland is the hero and Vanessa Redgrave the leading lady, but unfortunately, she seems to be doing a Cloris Leachman impression with her fake accent, disappointing considering her many talents. They are joined by Lloyd Bridges, Christopher Lee, Richard Widmark and Barbara Parkins, but once again, no bears. There is really a Bear Island in Norway, so they are telling the truth about that. Don't confuse it with the one in North Carolina.
Halfway through the movie is where the action really starts, so up until then, the location photography is the star. But once the action starts, it's a non-stop, particularly when the radio tower crashes and everyone tries to think of who the saboteur could be. Great sound editing of the northern winds making the atmosphere very frightening, and chases on some opulent snowmobiles are very exciting. I was surprised to discover who the villain was which helped raise this a notch for me.