A Norwegian's review of the Atlantic Crossing WW2 TV Series - Fact or Fiction?
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- Опубликовано: 29 май 2021
- I just finished watching the Atlantic Crossing and here's a review for you. In this episode I share with you some background info from WW2 in Norway, a few clips from the actual series, and my opinion about this show.
I hope you enjoyed this episode. Hit the like button and subscribe to my channel for more Norway with Pål.
Ha det bra!
Pål
Watch on Amazon Prime: amzn.to/32m8jR6
Fact check:
www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/...
Clips from the series collected from www.nrk.no
7:00 @findcalm
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Sharing RUclips videos about Norway and Scandinavia. Episodes about history, food, travel, language, sailing and more.
When I learned that there would be a series on the Crown Princess and Prince in the second world war, I happily waited for it on our PBS station. I am 98% Norwegian according to DNA and hesitate to admit that I really did not know very much about what happened to Norway during that war. I loved seeing every aspect of this series, even if some of it is fiction. The actress who played Martha was perfect and also the actor for Olav.Later, I realized that the little boy, Harald, is now the king of Norway, and is an old man. Thanks for your good explanation and I will follow your channel. I learned a lot from you and from the series even if parts of it were fiction.
Thank you Caterina! I'm glad you enjoyed the episode. If you ever come visit Oslo we have a VERY good WW2 resistance museum here. A must see for anyone who wants to learn more about Norway during the war.
My grandfather emigrated from Norway to North Dakota some years before WWII. He was 16 when he left. My mom told stories about how terribly worried he was for his family back in Norway during WWII. No possibility to write letters. He didn’t know if they were alive or dead. He went back to visit his family as soon as he could after the war. He was a prosperous farmer. He brought many crates of clothing and food with him for the family in Stavanger. It was a joyful reunion.
Thanks for sharing your memories of your father. He sounds like a good man!
Hei PÅl. Thanks for the link. Terri and I just finished the series two weeks ago and I wondered about how much “drama” Hollywood added to it. These “ based on true events” shows have always been suspect to me; another reason that I don’t read much fiction. It’s good ,though, for most Americans to learn more stories like this about the rest of the world and where we fit in. As you know, this place is so big and diverse, most Americans barely know American history let alone Norwegian ! In spite of some fact bending, the series was enjoyable for us and has made me want to learn more about Norway in the war. I took a lot of pictures at the museum in Oslo, including story boards on display, so I could read when we got home. Keep up the good work. We enjoyed you and Rick Steves on his recent streaming show.
Hei Joe, thanks for getting my name right.. with the Å :) I often hear Americans say they know little history except for American history, but it's also the same for many Europeans.. They might know some about their own country and perhaps their neighbors, but it tends to stop there. So I agree, it's good for people that stories/series like this can spark an interest in knowing more. It certainly gained a lot of popularity here in Norway.
Thanks for watching the RS show, I had a lot of fun talking to Rick! Take care
The true story was dramatic enough for me. Heartbreaking.
@@lynncibelli3534 Agree!
This is Trisha-(Emilie is my daughter) I loved your analysis and think it's spot on. I took degrees in American-European history during this time period, and agree that while The Atlantic Crossing is a worthwhile series, I wish it had stuck to the facts to help people understand the history more accurately. hope to see you over in Norway soon!
Thanks Trisha! Yea I wish at least fundamental facts could have been according to what actually happened. Well well, as you say it is a worthwhile series, and it became quite popular here in Norway. And from what I understand it's gotten quite popular in the US as well. Hope to see you over here :)
I am sure glad you decided to share this information with everyone. It's important to know the history of all the countries that were involved in the Second World War but it is even more important, especially in these days of so much misinformation, that the FACTS be told. Atlantic Crossing was a very entertaining series but once I began to realize how much had been changed for dramatic effect I felt cheated by the producers of this series. I think the story could have been just as interesting and entertaining if they had not wandered so far down fantasy lane. It was almost hard to watch to the end because you couldn't know if what you were seeing was a true depiction or not. I hope others learn from this and create future series that are closer to the truth. It's a good thing that you are sharing the true facts of Norway's history during that period especially because many N. Americans know so little about the smaller countries and what they suffered. I am pretty sure this is not taught in schools in the US and I wonder if it is covered much in Canadian schools.
Hei Louise, thanks for watching my episode. I agree to what you say, and I think many feel the same way. I think for sure it is a series that would have deserved to be a bit closer to the truth.
Thank you, Pål, for your recommendation and your insights. I had never heard about Atlantic Crossing until I watched your video on RUclips today. And, since I have a very soft spot in my heart for Norway and its people (I spent a semester at the University of Oslo many years ago), I started watching it tonight, the first two episodes, and I am very happy I did. Thanks to Rick Steves' webinar on May 17th, which was amazing BTW, I got to know you and your RUclips Channel. I had already watched some of your episodes. Thank you!
Hei Varvara, that is nice to hear! I will never forget that 17th of May celebration with Rick, and glad that you could join in :) Thanks for watching my episodes. I also did study by the University of Oslo :)
ISS? Or just a general semester? I was apart of ISS in 2019 and miss Oslo and Norway more than anything
Thank you for clearing up history! My husband is a Nordlander and my dad was born in Bergen. He ended up in Little Norway in Canada during WW11. I have relatives that lived through the Nazis.
Thanks for watching! Would love to go to Toronto some day and learn more about little Norway. I did go to Halifax a few years ago, it was also a place were they trained the resistance movement.
Thanks for your insights on this film. I stumbled over it on German TV as they showed the first four parts after another film on the current crown prince and princess. I've started learning the Norwegian language two years ago, and got more and more interested in Norwegian traits and culture. I'm far from being a royalist, but the love of the Norwegian people for their royal family is somewhat heartwarming.
As for the German occupation of Denmark and Norway, there isn't too much known for anyone outside Norway. Only recently I saw a documentary on the Norwegian resistance organised from Great Britain, which got me even more interested in this part of WWII. It's a bit weird that the occupation of Norway still has an air of "strategic bywork" in German history books. That way hardly anyone will understand what the ordinary people of a neutral country had to endure during this oppression . . .
Hi Thomas, thanks for your comment. If you are interested in WW2 history and Norway's role in it you should really visit Oslo. The Norwegian Resistance Fighter museum is quite interesting. You can also find a lot of WW2 symbolism in the City Hall.
I tend to say that of the Norwegian population 5% sided with the nazis, 5% was actively in the resistance movement, and the rest 90% just struggled to make ends meet and get through the war years...
I did watch this series with much interest. My ancestors all came from Norway so I am always trying to learn more about the country and its people's history. I enjoyed the series knowing that some of it was fiction. Thank you for your review and information about Atlantic Crossing.
Hei Pamela, you welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
Have you watched this series yet? I'm interested in hearing your opinion. Post a comment below. And also subscribe to my channel for more Norway with Pål. Tusen takk!
We watched the series and wondered what you would say. Thank you, beautifully said...Terry and Bert
@@terryjohnson5434 Thanks a lot, glad you enjoyed it! I think many Norwegians would express themselves in a similar way that I did.
I shall certainly watch it now that you’ve recommended it. She sounds like a typical Swedish girl to me. Storming in to the presidents room and demanding stuff. Way to go Märtha!
Hehe.. nobody puts baby in a corner. I’ll be curious to know your opinion afterwards
Worked with Norwegian Captain and few other crews on board a tanker ship. The Norwegians were so friendly and I observed they like to drink as well. Not too bad because I drink too. It was a very good experience sailing with the Vikings…
That's cool you had that experience. We are good drinker for sure lol
I think it was a very good and interesting series, especially for those of us that know next to nothing about Norway. In the past few years I have learned to fact check series and/or movies inspired or based on true events and people. I do it because it gives me a more accurate perspective about the history of our world. Although Atlantic Crossing is not 100% percent accurate, it introduced viewers like I to events and people we didn’t know anything about. I had never heard of Princess Martha and now I know a little about her; she is a lady I have great respect for. I also think that although she “didn’t change the course of history”, she kept Norwegians in America united during those horrible years of the Nazi occupation and World War II.
Hey Alvaro, yea I think it was great how the series created awareness of a part of ww2 many did not know of
Thank you Pål, I had been wondering how accurately the series was depicted. It was very enjoyable at any rate. It made me look forward to Sunday evenings.
Hi Dave, You welcome. I enjoyed the series as well!
@@norwaywithpal When I was reading the book "FDR
" by Jean Edward Smith, I remember the relationship between FDR and Churchill, during the war. Like you stated in your video, their relationship lead to the 'my neighbor's house is burning, and I am going to lend him my garden hose' speech and to the Lend Lease Act. The Book FDR was recommended by my workout buddy, a retired history professor.
@@davidlawrence2508 I'll put that book on my reading list!
@@norwaywithpal Be careful, it is over 8 hundred pages long. Laughing. Pat and I watched Rick Steve's zoom call last night. He talked about art in Europe. He mentioned the Vigeland sculptures in Frogner Park in Oslo. Rick was served a Polish meal, by a local restaurant, complete with Polish vodka. He was drinking it straight or as he said "Neat". He was feeling 'no pain' by the end of the broadcast, as he was celebrating the booking of 18 thousand trips and the return of normalcy. Ahhh yes, finally I think we are getting to the end of the pandemic.
@@davidlawrence2508 hehe, well I'm readinga series of 16 books by Patrick O'Brian right now, so have to get through those first.
And yes, FINALLY! Looks very very promising for 2022. Say hi to Pat
Wow, this was super insightful and it was interesting to hear your breakdown of the facts and fiction. Atlantic crossing definitely sounds like something I would enjoy watching- I gotta put it on my list. Keep up the great work and happy to have found your channel from Slow Growth's slack community 💛
Hey there, thanks for your comment. Glad you liked the review! I'll check out your channel as well :)
It's a very good series, one which I thoroughly enjoyed watching. Although I'm a history buff, I admitted to myself that I knew almost nothing about Norway's involvement in WW2. Most histories of the war simply list Norway as a quickly conquered & occupied country by the Germans & move on, never revealing or describing the hardships, suffering, bravery, & heroism of the countries' populations, as well as the enormous pressures under which the rulers operated, the difficulties of running a government in exile, their sense of helplessness in striking back at the enemy, the very real dangers to their families, etc. I had 2 scenes that were my least favorites. One was the scene showing U.S. citizens watching FDR giving a speech or filmed coverage of the war, I forget which, on a TV set in a store window, as they stood outside on the sidewalk & watched. TV was in its infancy at that time, still in its developmental stage, & was totally unavailable for public viewing. To me, this was an incredible lapse on the filmmaker's part. The other scene was where Eleanor Roosevelt tried to give Martha speech-relaxation lessons. I don't know if this scene was accurate or not but even if it was, it made me cringe a little. Other than these, I loved the series---& thanks for a very fair & balanced review!
Thanks a lot for your thoughtful summary! It’s a little known story, especially abroad, so it was nice that it got some coverage. And then hopefully most people will take it as somewhat fictional and not a documentary.
Nice observation with the TV btw!
I enjoyed it immensely. I just wish they would stick to the truth. Thanks for setting the record straight. Great acting and scenes from Norway I hope.
Thanks! Yea I think much of the show would have been just as good with the truth told rather than fiction
Holland and I have watched the Atlantic Crossing and want to thank you for a very informative history lesson. It was entertaining to watch even though not all factually correct.
You welcome! And I agree, it was a very entertaining show and well made. And thankfully the fact checks gave some insight to truth and fiction. Hope you guys are doing well
@@norwaywithpal Yes we are doing very well. Just purchased a Hyundai KONA EV. Fun car to drive. Also getting solar on my house.
@@garyroutt808 Cool! Good you are going electric, the world needs it :)
Thank for your commentary Pål. I became aware of the connection depicted in Atlantic Crossing by way of Nordmann Forbundet/Norwegians Worldwide’s magazine from the early 2000’s. Along with my maternal connection to Norway this Washington DC Norwegian connection is special!
You welcome Ed, thanks for watching. It's a special connection indeed, and I'm glad the series (all thought partly fictional) put some focus on this much forgotten piece of ww2 history
Norwegians always have to criticize their great figures..Marthe, Flagstad, Munch. It was a hit series, very well done and let people know about the crown princess, it was dramatized which means fiction was added
My favorite scene was when the king of Sweden calls Hitler. Glad the author showed how Sweden screwed Norway in the 'you know what'to save their own skin. I am 1/2 Norwegian and remember growing up in a Norwegian community in Seattle, how the swedes were hated and looked down on Norwegians as'rags'
Inferior. I always loved the crown princess Marthe even as a child. My grandmother collected all memorabilia about her. I love your channel ❤️.
Hei Norman thanks for your comment. I also remember my grandfather having some resentment about how the Swedes acted during ww2. Luckily today the new generations have gotten over this and we can all interact as equals
@@norwaywithpal you're right. I am a WW2 fan esp Norway during the hated Nazi occupation.& am well versed on the history & conflict. Yes, it's good that people treat each other as equals now. But I am glad the author of Atlantic Crossing brought out that enmity & how corrupt the Swedish throne was. Marthe was Swedish . But I love Norway & their independent spirit.
keep up your wonderful channel..xxoo
@@normancascioppo1456 Thanks Norman! Yes I'm very glad that this rather unknown ww2. story to many got some light shed on it :)
I'm an embarrassed American having never heard of this history or even this series. Your excellent commentary gave me a glimpse I will continue to review. The very last film clip edit brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.
Oh don't be embarrassed, I think unfortunately this is a little known story to many! I'm glad the series could shed some light on it though
Favourite scene? When the King crashes Ulla's wedding, off course. :-)
That's a good one! Episode 6 I seem to remember
Great review ... so what is your favorite WW2 series? I shall guess it The Heavy Water War. My understanding is that series stayed very close to fact. It sure made Norway look good!!!
Thanks! Yep I think of Norwegian ww2 series The Heavy Water War is a favorite. I also enjoyed Band of Brothers a lot.
Thank you for sharing your input. It's very helpful to know. My Grandfather is 100% Norwegian. (His mother came to America from Norway)! He was a North China Marine Embassy Guard stationed in China on the day Pearl Harbor was invaded, & my grandfather found himself surrounded by the Japanese and he and other American military personnel were ordered to surrender to the Japanese from our Govt. He ended up becoming a POW in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp for 4 yrs. during World War II. When he came home, he looked like a living skeleton. I'm so thankful he survived because many of the POW's did not survive! He then went back to fight in the Korean war! He taught us to love our Country. I'm glad to know that much of the movie, "Atlantic Crossing," is fictional. And that the relationship with FDR in the movie is not based on actual facts! I'm very thankful for your input. Thank you.
That is quite a story Marie! Thanks for sharing , and thanks for checking out this episode 👍🙏
You're welcome!! 💕
Thanks for your information and inspiring me to watch this series.
You welcome Leona!
Very interesting. If I watch this, I'll now know what is factual. Tusen takk!
Thanks! It's quite a fascinating story, even when there is no fiction
Thanks for this, Pål. I will watch the series. Still, I wish filmmakers wouldn't deviate wildly from the historic truth. Small changes to improve flow seem understandable. Major inaccuracies, though, make me think the writer got lazy and took shortcuts.
Hi Nicole, glad you liked it. Yea I think we owe these important historical events to be re-told closer to the truth. Especially when they claim it is inspired by true events. They took some shortcuts for sure. The series is well made though, and I thinks it’s well worth watching!
Recently, there was another movie, translated into English, as "The King's Choice" on the same time period. Any videos planned on this one?
Hi there! Yea that's a pretty good movie which I saw a few years ago. Was not planning any episode on it, but perhaps if I get some extra time I can make one
@@norwaywithpal I was born in Washington DC, not far from the White House, and grew up in Waldorf, not too far from Bethesda. (I haven't seen Atlantic Crossing yet.) Even more hilarious, The Bethesda Historical Society itself admits the Crown Princess lived "in all places, Bethesda." Its not a bad town at all, I have been there from time to time. But walking around, it never occurs to any royalty lived there either.
@@InternetDarkLord aha that's interesting! I guess Bethesda probably has changed a lot during the years. On the other hand I don't think the Crown Princess was too picky :)
Minor question: The way in which the royal family was waving to the crowds in the last episode (palm towards face and pivoting at elbow). Is that real and accurate? Have never seen a wave like that.
hehe yes, that is accurate. That was Royal etiquette. They still wave in an odd way today, but slightly different, now rotating their hand while keeping the arm still.
Maybe it's the cold climate. They didn't want to freeze their fingers.
@@lynncibelli3534 haha never thought about that, but could be the reason. Another reason might be to not tire their arm/hand out, as sometimes they have to do a lot of waving.
After hearing this, I have no desire to see it.
Ops, I hope I was not too negative. I did enjoy the show despite of all the fiction, but I understand it can be disappointing for many
I pan to watch it with the understanding it is not completely factual; on the other hand, we can learn more about Norway, it’s people, and culture, then I’m all for it! Visiting our relatives in Norway many years ago, they told us what they personally experienced in occupied Norway and it was a very difficult time; but they knew about the resistance & they worked bravely together for Norway’s freedom! Super proud to be of Norwegian heritage!!
Tussen Takk
It sounds like the show isn’t worth watching. It’s just really tough to tell what version of history is correct. One can study or quote historical facts, but none of us were really there. I’m American/ Norwegian. I studied history in school. Then I realized after watching a Japanese cartoon that Americans have their own version of history. Just like anyone else.
You are right about what you say. I think one can see it from an entertainment perspective, and that's it, and probably a lot of people enjoy the series.
I think it's an healthy approach to always take history with a grain (or a tablespoon) of salt :P
I thought it was funny that they showed the King being jealous of a crippled old man in a wheel chair. This was SO SO SO stupid. The series 'sexed up' the King & Queen and made them young and beautiful...And then there was that pathetic portrayal of Roosevelt's secretary, making her a sad old drunk. I wish the producers of this series had stuck to actual history which is far more interesting than this daffy soap opera tale..