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| Former Finnish Commando Aatami Korpi looks away from the Germans |
A Finnish revenge film taking place during the war
Recently, I was lucky that Netflix showed the 2023 Finnish movie Sisu. This Finnish action film takes place during the 1944 Lapland War, part of the Eastern Front of World War 2, and was widely praised. Thus I wanted to catch this film the first chance I got. I was not disappointed.
Recently, I was lucky that Netflix showed the 2023 Finnish movie Sisu. This Finnish action film takes place during the 1944 Lapland War, part of the Eastern Front of World War 2, and was widely praised. Thus I wanted to catch this film the first chance I got. I was not disappointed.
Synopsis
Finland's role in World War 2 was complicated. To oversimplify, Finland had aligned itself with Nazi Germany in 1941 during the war to protect itself from Soviet aggression. In 1940, the Soviet Union had previously taken territory from Finland during the 1939 Winter War.
Finland's role in World War 2 was complicated. To oversimplify, Finland had aligned itself with Nazi Germany in 1941 during the war to protect itself from Soviet aggression. In 1940, the Soviet Union had previously taken territory from Finland during the 1939 Winter War.
Despite initial gains, the tide turned against the Germans by 1942 and it was obvious by 1944 that the war was lost. Against German wishes, Finland defected and sought a separate peace treaty with the Soviets. As part of the treaty, the Finns were to expel all German forces in Finland. This lead to the Lapland War.
In the film, a platoon of retreating Germans led by Commander Bruno Helldorf (Aksel Hennie) encounters Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila), a gold prospector. Helldorf realises that they could rob Aatami of his gold to ensure themselves protection from the Allies forces. Little did he know that Aatami was a former Finnish commando who was named "Immortal" by the Soviets for his resilience and tenacity.
This leads Aatami on a path of revenge as he chases down the Germans to get his gold back.
What the film gets right
The film does capture the essence of "sisu", a Finnish term that refers to great determination and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Despite being armed with mining equipment, Korpi displayed type of bravery and hardiness (although just for gold) reminiscent of the action film heroes of the 1980s.
The film does capture the essence of "sisu", a Finnish term that refers to great determination and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Despite being armed with mining equipment, Korpi displayed type of bravery and hardiness (although just for gold) reminiscent of the action film heroes of the 1980s.
Furthermore, it displayed the complications in the relationship between Germany and Finland. While technically at war, the Germans rampaged through Finland unchallenged. This was because of a secret agreement between both sides - the Germans agreed to leave Finland as quick as possible, while the Finns would agree not to attack the retreating Germans. In reality, tensions rose as Germans burnt facilities and laid mines, while the Finns did attack the Germans under Allied pressure.
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| Korpi ponders on his next action after yet another near-death experience |
While the film is more of an action film than a period piece, here's what it gets historically inaccurate. The most obvious mistake is the equipment used. The tank for instance, is a Soviet-made T-55 and not a German model. While the Germans did repurpose captured tanks, this tank was only produced postwar (in 1948).
Another example were the use of anti-tank mines early in the film. The mines were detonated by a horse, a stone and humans. This ignores the fact that the Ti-Mi 35 mine requires a a force of at least 100 kg to detonate.
Conclusion
I enjoyed the movie. If you miss the action films of the 1980s, Sisu is for you!
I enjoyed the movie. If you miss the action films of the 1980s, Sisu is for you!
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