This Norwegian historical drama about the 1940 siege of a small but vital town by Hitler’s forces throws the spotlight on a little-known (outside of Scandinavia anyway) chapter of World War II history. Beautifully shot and edited and with powerful performances from all involved, ‘Narvik’ is a war film that delicately balances the stories of those on the front line and those they left behind. It’s white-knuckle at times, fist-pumping at others, and heart-warming the rest, and never not wholly captivating. And, no, the down-the-line parallels with the current war in Ukraine cannot have been accidental.

4/5 stars