"April 9 Danish Movie" Topic

I usually approach subtitled movies with great trepidation but decided to watch this on Amazon Prime last night. I was really impressed, while WW2 Danish Military isn't my expertise, most of the equipment looked right and the brief appearances of German armored cars and panzers in the movie weren't too egregious (they didn't appear to be authentic but looked close enough).

The movie follows a small detachment of Danish bicycle infantry along the Southern Jutland border during the German invasion. The movie gives you the feel of being in an overwhelming predicament; the Danes are outnumbered conscripts on bikes, their heavy weapon support is a light machine gun, and they are facing off against German armored cars and Panzers. There's not much plot, there doesn't seem to be any hidden agenda. I thoroughly enjoyed it and at about 90 minutes it isn't a big time investment. At the end of the movie they provide clips of interviews with Danish WW2 veterans similar to Band of Brothers style.

Sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out – thanks for the tip!

It was NOT a bad movie at all.

Watching this film was worth it just to see the motorcycle-borne anti-tank rifle in action against the invading German armour.

Saw trailers and would love to see this movie, alas never had Amazon prime.

Oh cool I'll have to check that out.

I enjoyed it. I liked the scenes fixing the bicycle tires.

They did a good job on the few German vehicles that did appear. I give them major credit for doing something about the early period of WW2 on an unusual subject. More of a drama than an action movie, but overall it's certainly worth the time of anyone who is interested in the 1940 period.

I think that all danish equipment are original from the era. there is a great book about the danish army with colour pictures, but of course i danish.

I really enjoyed this film, to see the troops at the bottom of the tactical scheme of things trying to hold their own. Objective: " Hold the frontier until reinforcements arrive to stem the tide of blitzkreig" no heavy weapons ( just Masden LMG). Bicycles for transport. No reinforcements come

Ditto on the interesting motorcycle mounted AT gun. The company is a mixture of motorcycles and bicycles.

Yes, there is drama in the conversations among the troops, but still plenty of action. We tend to think the PZKW 1 as not very effective, but against guys with rifles on cycles it is devastating.

spoiler

Most drama: the troops are fighting in the streets. Lose another trooper killed. Finally overwhelmed. Sekondløjtnant Sand surrenders. The friendly nazi officer, high on Pervitin, says, "why did you fight so long?" Sand replies, "what do you mean, so long?" nazi, "your government surrendered hours ago!"

I saw it and it was damn good for what it was. It really showed just how behind the 8 ball the Danes were. God knows they tried, but the issue was never in doubt, which is a story for most of the neutrals that went under the treads of the panzers.

But it doesn't stop us from enjoying it. Another movie in a similar vein is the "The King's Choice" about King Haakon of Norway, and the decision he made to fight on.

link

I saw this on tv several years ago, it was good.

M1, you liked The Kings Choice? I saw the the link on my amazon prime and was curious if it was any decent. I will have to check that one out next!

I was just thinking of also sharing my thoughts on this. As a film it's an education really in what inexperience e and desperation means in war.

So many films focus on heroes and winners – this on you and I in the face of more than we can handle. So other good reviews here:

amzn.to/2SXMAsQ