Nobel (2016) User Reviews

Nordic Homeland quality

[mauricetgol · 8/10 · 7 December 2016]

What a quality: A superb Nordic series. Great to view from many angles the complex world we live in. A view from the side of the government, from the side of the army and from within a family where these worlds meet...

The story gives me a feeling that is the reality we have to deal with. I also have this feeling of reality when I watch the series Homeland. I have to admit that most American series are not my cup of tea. Can't get rid of the feeling that this series gave inspiration to Nobel. Normally the Nordic series do it the other way :) Personally I hope we also get some more seasons... Anyone some meets about a season 2?

Brilliant

[ivanski-68810 · 9/10 · 19 February 2017]

I started watching Nobel on Netflix and was hooked from the first episode and ended up watching the whole series over two nights.The opening credits and sound track are haunting and I cant get the music out of my head. One reviewer has gone in to detail about the acting,cinematography and military inaccuracies. The acting was great and all the characters believable,the camera work sound and regarding the military inaccuracy its entertainment not a training film, I'm an ex soldier and as my kids always say to me " Just shut up and watch it dad your not there" so watch it and enjoy,and I hope they make another series.

Great Piece

[faridat-91789 · 8/10 · 14 June 2018]

This gives a surprisingly complex portrait of tension through stories of family, war and class. In its dramatic prowess, although very succinct, this looks like a period piece. And in its reenactment of professional politics, it's prudent and amazingly attentive.

So life-like, it hurts!!!!

[thegulls1 · 10/10 · 14 December 2016]

Days after watching a stunning South Korean mini-series (IRIS), NOBEL popped up on Netflix, based on my viewing habits. Here's my question: how do the producers get this to look so realistic? The guns and jeeps are real -- the barren Afghan landscape looks real -- the Afghani players look like real tribal thugs and power-brokers. You could be watching a documentary, and you wouldn't see much difference. I guess this means the performances are sterling, huh?

As for the show itself, we follow the plight of a small group of Norwegian Spec-Ops guys in Afghanistan, with frequent time and setting shifts that can be difficult to keep up with. One dearly-loved comrade gets taken out by an IED, detonated by a sneering, wife-beating tribal leader. Another loses his temper - then his ability to walk. Reporters interfere, and politicians blame the soldiers for anything that goes wrong.. i.e. Taliban lays an ambush, soldiers guarding a Government Minister shoot their way out - "ooooooooooops! You can't do that -- did the ambushers fire first? We have it on tape..." (Yes, a stolen tape..)

If you still think warfare is all about heroics and bravery, you really need to watch this series. It might explain why a good chunk of the North American troops returning from the Middle East end up "...drunk in a dive in Joliet..." Gripping.

Well Done Nobel

[tomb-66065 · 10/10 · 16 December 2016]

Nobel is a stunning portrayal of the complexities of the war in Afghanistan and points to why after more than a decade of fighting this war is still ongoing with no end in sight.

The story evolves around an elite special forces group from Norway whose leader is ordered to complete a mission while on leave after returning home.

The characters are strong and believable and will draw you into their lives as their world teeters on collapse when the competing sides of politics of peace and business collide.

It demonstrates real world politics and how a peace nation like Norway and not unlike Canada and other nations have had to not only be peace keepers but peace makers and more. One difference is that Norway is also about to award the Nobel Peace Prize with all the political intrigue that it involves.

Nobel was brilliantly shot and this Canadian was drawn into the story and look forward to a second season. Again well done.

Totally gripping from beginning to end.. Roll on S2

[wilkowilkins · 10/10 · 11 July 2017]

I really can't understand people who complain about someone using the wrong colour scope on the rifle, or whether or not our American cousins think that it's insulting to them.. in fact it wasn't if one of the reviewers had watched further....

I'm interested in a great story, with great acting, fantastic characters who draw you in and brilliant production.

This series from Norway has all of the above by the bucketload. Totally gripping, totally believable... and amazing acting led by the wonderful Aksel Hennie and Tuva Novotny. I have watched it all 3 times now and still spot new things about it. This is a fairly simplistic non technical review. It's brilliant. Simple.

My Norwegian friend tells me that they are currently filming Series 2.. Hurrah!!!!!

Watch this.. Just watch it.

Unbelievably Amazing!!!

[divinecorps · 10/10 · 8 September 2017]

This is the TV series which I felt like adding a review on IMDb for the very first time, especially, even before completely watching all the episodes. Breaking Bad was my favorite TV show ever and I never believed that there would be any other TV series with such amazing casting and character development at that level when it comes to being realistic. But after watching Narcos, I went ahead watching TV dramas made with other languages (other than English); then I found Nobel accidentally and completely started in believing in non- English/non-Hollywood creations.

When it comes to casting and character development, I believe they have done lots of research in studying the common attitudes, behavior, personalities, and psychological background of real people and the actors/actresses are 100% realistic and natural in their acting. Frankly, the quality of their acting is unbelievably amazing; I do not have enough words to express or describe it!!

I wished if I knew the Norwegian language while watching this. Because the composition of dialogues is too good to miss a single word of it. So I have to keep observing the subtitle. And their acting (expressions, gestures etc) is too good to miss by paying attention to subtitles. Everything has been composed in a well connecting manner and the presentation of the story is excellent in every aspect!

These days we tend to watch superheroes, fantasies and unrealistically hypothetical stories. But there are still some amazing people who see things differently and come up with even better stories that connect our day-to-day lives really well with realistic characters! Nobel is obviously one good example for that! This deserves 10/10!!!

P.S: I am a Sri Lankan who comes from a completely different cultural background. But this story feels so realistic and so natural even to me! Therefore, you can imagine how amazing the story, casting/acting and the character development of this is. The actors/actresses deserve serious recognition and in my opinion, Askel Hennie deserves the best actor award in every event I know.

Good performances, but slightly arid and far-fetched

[BeneCumb · 7/10 · 29 January 2018]

Participation in modern peacekeeping operations has given countries like Norway new oppurtunities to show their skills and values more on wider international level. Mostly successfully, but everything has its price and influences on participants... All this is rather well depicted in Nobel where people working in various govenrmental institutions have to daily (re)assess their own concepts and attitudes.

But for me, for a person quite familiar with living in Nordic countries, not all the events shown seem plausible - as Norway is one of the least corrupted and most secure countries in the world. So the thrill and tension tend to fade away sometimes, and the main theme full of development aid, NGO contracts and guarding services do not let to share common feelings; the switch from personal issues to others is not always smooth as well. Moreover, in the last episode, you start to figure out what happens, and the very final scenes are too "rounding up", i.e. trivial.

The performances, however, are good, particularly Aksel Hennie as Lieutenant Erling Riiser and Anders Danielsen Lie as Lieutenant Jon Petter Hals; female characters are sketchier as often in films depicting war and military. Thus, from me, 8 points for acting and 6 for plot; the title is also confusing.

Nobel is not a bad Norwegian series, but I find e.g. Okkupert, Frikjent, Rød snø more versatile and catchier for "wider" audience.

Up there with the best!!

[Leslie-phillips7 · 10/10 · 30 March 2017]

There is little to say other than.....Superb!

I have only watched two other mini series of this quality. Bron Broen and Borgen. Co incidentally all of which are Scandinavian? There does seem to be a real talent here for quality. These series are so good, I actually enjoy subtitles because I know I am in for a treat. I look forward to discovering more of these gems.

So damn real

[jpcyr · 7/10 · 19 February 2019]

I had the feeling that I was watching a documentary at some moment as real this tv show felt. The story is really well written. Each characters believable in every dialogue and act. It's a treat to watch show this good.

Excellent Docudrama

[sandy-67163 · 10/10 · 17 December 2016]

Even though I had to watch this and read the subtitles at the same time the series was so well done that I had a difficult time not watching it at one sitting. Character development.,Realism, content, and story line were riveting. I wish the American broadcasting industry produced quality programs. The foreign broadcasters is heads above anything found on US television, as this series affirms. The many political, military, and social factors involved in the Afghanistan conflict were presented so well. The mixture of venues, Afghanistan and Norway, were done so well and without disrupting the flow of the episode. The actors from top to bottom did an excellent job. A job well done.

Excellent !!

[Vindelander · 7/10 · 30 July 2019]

Good story, good acting and not too long. I love almost all the films and series that come from Norway and this is one of the best in the past couple of years.

Great show!

[funkb-49582 · 10/10 · 22 December 2016]

I happened across this series by chance and couldn't stop watching it. I am thankful for the subtitles. I normally do not like military dramas, this is an exception. I will continue to watch for the 2nd season. Great show! I am enjoying the Scandinavian dramas found on Netflix. They are better than then most dramas here in the USA. As a veteran, you can see how manipulative governments can be and how private interests can contaminate the peace keeping and relief efforts in removing the Taliban or Isis. Who can be trusted? Who is in play? So realistic I don't know what else to say about it except I wish more shows like theirs were made available in the USA.

Very worthwhile watch

[ablack90 · 9/10 · 22 July 2019]

After Headhunters, I'll watch anything with Aksel Hennie in it. He conveys so much without even speaking. Nobel is a realistic look at the conflict in Afghanistan. I love the understated Norwegian way. No need to brag. Just get it done. We see the skill but also the humanity of a Spec Ops team serving tours in Afghanistan. The story line also follows the political efforts at making oil deals with the various factions of government and Taliban.In 2011, the Chinese eventually landed the deal. But exploration and mining will be fraught with difficulties in a country which, despite assistance from several countries to establish a government, today suffers a resurgence of terrorist factions.

Diferent to clasic american

[chan-76958 · 9/10 · 22 September 2019]

An intelligent series, shows us differently the Norwegian position on the war in Afghanistan. It has excellent performances, is fast and does not get caught up in the classic and crude ways to extend the series. totally recommended.

Thoughtful Thriller

[asayed-84652 · 10/10 · 18 July 2017]

An amazing plot line. Terrific characters. Thoughtful. Thrilling. Wonderfully directed. It entertains, provokes, and stokes your senses.

The setting -- of war and its impact in so-called peaceful societies -- is impeccable. The backdrop seeks to uncover the guilt, passion, meaning, and support for or against a war or its many metamorphoses that drive both the willing and unwilling ever more into grey areas of our morality and humanity.

unstoppable camera

[dbyron-57364 · 7/10 · 3 July 2017]

seems good so far...half way through...ready to drop the viewing entirely though due to motion sickness: way too much movement of the camera which detracts from the viewing experience...enough to make me physically ill. I am not sure why the director chose this cinematographic approach -- useful at times, sure, for an effect of perspective, but, if overused, it becomes a big distraction. Too bad because the series seems quality so far.

Bloody brilliant

[jiballini64 · 9/10 · 17 August 2018]

Fabulously convoluted storyline with political intrigue on a global scale. Depictions of the conflict in Afghanistan as seen by those on the front line and the responses from those "back home" brilliantly portrayed. Acting, cinematography and story all A1.

Almost Good

[Warin_West-El · 7/10 · 16 April 2023]

I agree with the reviewer who basically said this series does not deliver what it initially suggests.

The beginning setup is there is a husband and wife who are employed in different fields which have an overlapping tie. And they make a pledge to work together but keep their work separate. THAT'S THE SETUP.

Then the filmmakers have a field day shifting the timeline back and forth. All of the most successful series (Bron/Broen for example) do NOT use that technique. At that point, the series begins to bog down, big time.

Next, the filmmakers throw in the overused paradigm that Erling Riiser is not a good husband because he fails to address the emotional needs of his wife. Which is completely plausible for a professional soldier. But is SO trite, it's unbearable. You mean to tell me there are NO professional soldiers who are sensitive to their wife's needs? What about the agreement they made at the start of the series?

Then the filmmakers throw in long drawn out scenes in the present that bog the series down further. The saving grace is, the action sequences are (seemingly) realistic and not overly done.

At the end is a typical military story resolution. But it's dry because the initial promise of an intriguing story about how a husband and wife worked back channels together to pull off a social change that otherwise would not have happened went right out the window.

I gave this a 7 because Aksel Hennie does a wonderful job of portraying a professional soldier. And as I've stated, the action sequences were quite good. However, I had to fast-forward through several laborious scenes. As several people have mentioned, the documentary-style camera moves were overdone, to the point of becoming a parody of itself.

And shifting the timeline back and forth did not create a more sophisticated story. But rather a more incoherent one.

Norway Military/Politics, a delicate balance!

[spokanegolfer · 9/10 · 4 October 2017]

While I wish I was more ligual, Norwegian seems rather hard! Spoiler, the title pays homage to the Nobel peace prize! The winner was changed several times throughout this series, based upon who the politicians liked or didn't like. Safe to say that this is similar to how Obama ended up with his. The Nobel committee later revoked this peace prize and asked for the money back, which was never received! War is hell! The Norwegian military is involved with peace keeping missions in Afghanistan along with other allied/UN countries. They are held to an unachievable level and end up negotiating with the Taliban. The story follows a Norwegian family. He is in the military and she is in politics. Their lives overlap and mingle often. Essentially nothing can happen or progress in Afghanistan because of this balance. Nothing that is except opium production, which gets hit, but keeps coming.

Does not do the full justice to what it appears to deliver

[rum2550 · 6/10 · 1 March 2021]

I do agree with many of the reviewera regarding the realism, the depth of characters and the quality of acting. In the initial couple of episodes, they build up a remarkable tension which appears to be heading towards an equally meaningful end. However, I felt a bit disappointed towards the end of the series mainly because the gripping nature seemed to have dulled down and the end looked like a failure. Although I am used anticlimatic endings, this felt like incomplete and unsatisfying. Perhaps, they wanted things to be too realistic. Other main issue with this series is the shaky camera work which makes you feel dizzy especially if you are watching it on a bigger screen.

Beautiful Performances

[buddhist-06426 · 10/10 · 3 June 2019]

Just an excellent series. The actors became their characters and having watched it five times, I love it more each time. There is battle, intrigue and a lot of personal life events occurring. Watch this show and judge for yourself.

Wonderful Show!

[buddhist-06426 · 10/10 · 20 May 2019]

I can't think of a program I like better than Nobel. The script is so well written and the actors make me believe I am watching reality. This is real life happening in a drama filmed by real professional film makers. The highest of quality in a show that I have seen. Bravo to all concerned.

SUPERB!!!

[dianebarry-81612 · 10/10 · 2 August 2019]

Absolutely Superb!! I was completely captivated by the characters! The acting from this cast was just amazing! When you forget the youre watching a show you know it's good!

Norwegian TV Series are the Best

[seaair-59046 · 10/10 · 16 April 2018]

I enjoyed this series so much that I actually watched it twice. Please tell me that there will be a Season 2.