I came across this title while discussing a chapter about Disaster Management with my daughter for her exams.
I asked her to check out Stallone's Daylight n this movie caught my attention cos of the similarities.
To be honest, it is not that great, ther aint any big star cast, no fancy special effects but somehow i enjoyed it.
66 Reviews
By the numbers excitement
name99-92-54538916 December 2022
Technically this is not badly done; lighting, pacing, acting, effects are all good value for the budget.
BUT honestly it feels like a movie put together by an AI... Take the formula for this sort of movie since at least the 70s (various disparate individuals in trouble, some family conflict, some stupid behavior, some heroic behavior) and just transplant it to Norway.
It's raised ever so slightly above the average by the scenes of how traffic control works from the inside, but there are far too few of these. I kept thinking of how someone like Aaron Sorensen (for all his predictability) could have made it so much better, with constant small speeches and explanations between the various characters saying things like "we do it this because in the fire at xyx in 2006 such and such and happened." It's adding in this background texture, not just plot but a feeling that you understand some of why the system works as it does, that makes a movie like this better than a thousand similar movies...
BUT honestly it feels like a movie put together by an AI... Take the formula for this sort of movie since at least the 70s (various disparate individuals in trouble, some family conflict, some stupid behavior, some heroic behavior) and just transplant it to Norway.
It's raised ever so slightly above the average by the scenes of how traffic control works from the inside, but there are far too few of these. I kept thinking of how someone like Aaron Sorensen (for all his predictability) could have made it so much better, with constant small speeches and explanations between the various characters saying things like "we do it this because in the fire at xyx in 2006 such and such and happened." It's adding in this background texture, not just plot but a feeling that you understand some of why the system works as it does, that makes a movie like this better than a thousand similar movies...
a little flat and slow
ops-5253529 September 2020
But really raise the fears of going through long mountain and undersea road tunnels. i felt the hairs in my neck coldfreezing and the summit of fear and action so theyve managed to make a reliable and close to reality pandemonistic human tragedy inside a hole in norwegian rocks.
its a bit slow, and the plot and key caracters are to some extent mediocre, and some of the advisory aint correct, so do not use in a case of emergency. filming and effects though are very nice, some of the soundwork eminent but not all. east and west is hard to say, and could easily have been told somewhere in the plot.acting is plain average, nothing extraordinary.
but its a great film for the saturday pizza party, once in a while you forget that youre in your own living room watching this film, so therefore a recommend from the grumpy old man
its a bit slow, and the plot and key caracters are to some extent mediocre, and some of the advisory aint correct, so do not use in a case of emergency. filming and effects though are very nice, some of the soundwork eminent but not all. east and west is hard to say, and could easily have been told somewhere in the plot.acting is plain average, nothing extraordinary.
but its a great film for the saturday pizza party, once in a while you forget that youre in your own living room watching this film, so therefore a recommend from the grumpy old man
back up slowly
SnoopyStyle6 April 2021
It's Norway during the Christmas season. Snowplows are clearing the road after a snow storm. A fuel truck gets stuck deep inside a long tunnel. Traffic is backed up and then the truck explodes.
This is a Norwegian disaster movie. I actually like most the part right before the fire. There is a sense of tension as the anticipation of the big explosion mounts. The issue with the fire is the smoke. It makes everything hard to see. The movie does a poor job laying out the map despite its simplicity. I just don't know where that anybody is located. It seems like a simple idea to back up slowly. At first, these guys are driving like maniacs and then they just don't try. Sadly, it's not like the audience can see much even if they do try. The first half has too much back story for these characters and the second half is not compelling enough. As such, it's a passable disaster movie.
This is a Norwegian disaster movie. I actually like most the part right before the fire. There is a sense of tension as the anticipation of the big explosion mounts. The issue with the fire is the smoke. It makes everything hard to see. The movie does a poor job laying out the map despite its simplicity. I just don't know where that anybody is located. It seems like a simple idea to back up slowly. At first, these guys are driving like maniacs and then they just don't try. Sadly, it's not like the audience can see much even if they do try. The first half has too much back story for these characters and the second half is not compelling enough. As such, it's a passable disaster movie.
Predictable, but rather enjoyable nonetheless.
paul_haakonsen22 September 2020
I stumbled upon the 2019 Norwegian movie "Tunnelen" (aka "The Tunnel") by sheer random luck here in 2020. And given the last couple of years impressive disaster movies that have come from the Norwegian cinema, of course I had to sit down and watch "Tunnelen" as well.
First of all, I was surprised to see Thorbjørn Harr in the lead, and I will say that he definitely carried the role and the movie quite well with his performance.
"Tunnelen" was entertaining, for sure, however it did suffer a bit from being rather predictable. And that was a shame, because it slightly held the movie back from achieving further greatness. But worry not, I am not saying that "Tunnelen" is a bad or boring movie, far from it. Actually, I found the movie to be entertaining and enjoyable - just a shame that you knew exactly how the storyline would pan out from the very beginning.
The movie takes place mostly in a smoke-filled tunnel, so you don't get to see much of the majestic landscapes of my ancestral home Norway. However, I will say that, while the movie took place mostly in a dark and smoke-filled environment, then the cinematography and camera-work was really good, and it felt like you were right there in the chaos alongside with the actors.
"Tunnelen" had a good cast to fill out the various roles and characters, and they definitely contributed well to the overall enjoyment of the movie.
I am rating "Tunnelen" a solid six out of ten stars. It is quite well-worth sitting down to watch, and I can warmly recommend this movie.
First of all, I was surprised to see Thorbjørn Harr in the lead, and I will say that he definitely carried the role and the movie quite well with his performance.
"Tunnelen" was entertaining, for sure, however it did suffer a bit from being rather predictable. And that was a shame, because it slightly held the movie back from achieving further greatness. But worry not, I am not saying that "Tunnelen" is a bad or boring movie, far from it. Actually, I found the movie to be entertaining and enjoyable - just a shame that you knew exactly how the storyline would pan out from the very beginning.
The movie takes place mostly in a smoke-filled tunnel, so you don't get to see much of the majestic landscapes of my ancestral home Norway. However, I will say that, while the movie took place mostly in a dark and smoke-filled environment, then the cinematography and camera-work was really good, and it felt like you were right there in the chaos alongside with the actors.
"Tunnelen" had a good cast to fill out the various roles and characters, and they definitely contributed well to the overall enjoyment of the movie.
I am rating "Tunnelen" a solid six out of ten stars. It is quite well-worth sitting down to watch, and I can warmly recommend this movie.
Rather Pedestrian
omendata23 September 2020
After watching the recent, magnificent disaster movies Bølgen (2015) and Skjelvet (2018) I was expecting a lot more from this than what was given.
It is rather slow, has some poor dialogue and acting and does not attain the level of the previously mentioned disaster movies when it had the potential but too much was spent on character interaction and not enough on thrills and spills which is essential for a disaster movie!
It is rather slow, has some poor dialogue and acting and does not attain the level of the previously mentioned disaster movies when it had the potential but too much was spent on character interaction and not enough on thrills and spills which is essential for a disaster movie!
This is not possible!
urena-223 November 2020
I live in Latin America, where improvisation is an art, but not even down here people would act so stupidly and cowardly. Nobody obeyed anybody... and that includes the authorities! So, this would not happen in one of the most organized countries in the world. No way José!
DULL.
andrewchristianjr25 June 2021
This film had promise with the beautiful snowy Norwegian landscapes and claustrophobic tunnel setting but unfortunately it's just incredibly dull. Looks like Daylight will continue to reign supreme in the niche tunnel-based disaster genre.
Orders? who cares?
nickpedersen10 April 2020
It starts a little slow, but then something happens inside the tunnel.
In the beginning the movie works well, but then the rescue begins. Orders are given from people in charge, but everybody is doing the excact opposite!
I mean EVERYONE!!!
Its just completely destroying the movie, because its so annoying.
And the "hero" is way over the top.... One scene where he ends up crawling... Oh my god!
Many many people dies in the tunnel...... But who cares?
The people we follow only cares for themselves... Bringing a lot of people in great danger, and deaths, because they disobey orders.
Its just stupid and annoying because the story is good.
Basic plot, but accident and tunnel fire very well done, realistic way
redtiago2 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Despite the banality of family drama, strife, anger, leaving, disaster, rescue and happily ever after, it's a good movie.
The part of the accident, the fire in the tunnel, is very well done, very realistic, all very plausible and with reactions, injuries and loss of life that are expected in an accident of this magnitude.
I recommend it to anyone who likes accident/tragedy movies, despite the banality of the plot.
The part of the accident, the fire in the tunnel, is very well done, very realistic, all very plausible and with reactions, injuries and loss of life that are expected in an accident of this magnitude.
I recommend it to anyone who likes accident/tragedy movies, despite the banality of the plot.
What a bizarre film
kuarinofu16 July 2020
Tunnelen (2019) is not a procedural drama or an action disaster movie. It's not even something in-between, but rather something completely different.
It starts very slow introducing 450 characters 90% of which are not important for the story and they don't even do anything. We have all the social justice tokens in there: weird transgendered being, strong trucker-woman, a white male who is abusive towards his son, and more. Also, the dialogue was very bizarre and I'm not sure if it was intentional or it was the dubs fault.
At some point, something happens in the tunnel and we see all the services and all the people trying to solve the problem and to get the people inside to safety. But no, not really. Nobody seems to do anything in this film besides our main heroes, who ignore the orders and just save some people. Everybody else is ordered not to do anything and wait for the people to choke to death, even though you can enter the tunnel and rescue the people with masks as they do.
Approaching the 3rd act, the film starts building up so many weird choices and twists it makes you wonder why such an empty film would have this much useless complications in it.
To be fair, there was some sort of a main story about a family, and while it was poorly executed, I still acknowledge its existence. It could have been improved, but the film decided to waste more time on useless stereotypes instead.
Either you love procedural dramas about responsible people handling the situation, or Hollywood-like action disaster films about claustrophobic environments like Daylight (1996), you will not enjoy this film and I cannot recommend it to you.
It starts very slow introducing 450 characters 90% of which are not important for the story and they don't even do anything. We have all the social justice tokens in there: weird transgendered being, strong trucker-woman, a white male who is abusive towards his son, and more. Also, the dialogue was very bizarre and I'm not sure if it was intentional or it was the dubs fault.
At some point, something happens in the tunnel and we see all the services and all the people trying to solve the problem and to get the people inside to safety. But no, not really. Nobody seems to do anything in this film besides our main heroes, who ignore the orders and just save some people. Everybody else is ordered not to do anything and wait for the people to choke to death, even though you can enter the tunnel and rescue the people with masks as they do.
Approaching the 3rd act, the film starts building up so many weird choices and twists it makes you wonder why such an empty film would have this much useless complications in it.
To be fair, there was some sort of a main story about a family, and while it was poorly executed, I still acknowledge its existence. It could have been improved, but the film decided to waste more time on useless stereotypes instead.
Either you love procedural dramas about responsible people handling the situation, or Hollywood-like action disaster films about claustrophobic environments like Daylight (1996), you will not enjoy this film and I cannot recommend it to you.
Solid entertainment
peder-nyeggen-706-1192426 January 2020
Can't say I had high hopes for this movie, due to its somewhat dull premise and setting. I was pleasantly surprised - the movie turned very exiting after 20 minutes or so, without spoiling too much.
Big plus for the hyperrealistic tone of the movie - small, human mistakes turns into an easily believable catastrophic scenario. Characters and story is all very realistic, making for great suspenseful entertainment when things go wrong. Acting, pacing and visual effects is also all very well done. A small minus is some corny music and some characters acting stupid at times; though I wouldn't expect anything else from a big budget action movie.
8/10 recommended for anyone who likes a well done film about humans screwing up big time, solid entertainment
Big plus for the hyperrealistic tone of the movie - small, human mistakes turns into an easily believable catastrophic scenario. Characters and story is all very realistic, making for great suspenseful entertainment when things go wrong. Acting, pacing and visual effects is also all very well done. A small minus is some corny music and some characters acting stupid at times; though I wouldn't expect anything else from a big budget action movie.
8/10 recommended for anyone who likes a well done film about humans screwing up big time, solid entertainment
I don't work for you
nogodnomasters14 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The film opens by letting us know Norway has an issue with safety rooms and escape routes from their 1100 tunnels. The reason why their haven't been more causalities is because of the bravery of individuals. This movie is inspired by true events so we know there will be a tunnel accident and a brave rescue. Steve (Thorbjørn Harr) is the superhero in this film. He traded in his hammer for a snowplow. When he discovers his daughter, who was running away from home, is in the tunnel, well you know the rest.
In spite of being predictable, it was a decent film outside of the horrible dubbing of Andrea. Is the purple hair thing in style in Norway and do they really want it to snow for Christmas?
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
In spite of being predictable, it was a decent film outside of the horrible dubbing of Andrea. Is the purple hair thing in style in Norway and do they really want it to snow for Christmas?
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
An Insult to Dedicated First Responders Everywhere
zigzagtom29 September 2021
In any incident it is critical that there be a clearly established chain of command and that that chain be respected and followed. This movie glorifies the opposite - a bunch on individual first responders who act like cowboys, free-lancing and disregarding orders and protocols. As an occasional first responder myself, the more I watched it the angrier I got. The type of individual actions glorified in this film would, in any well-run emergency unit, result in immediate suspension if not termination - or at least I hope they would.
Beware of discarded plastic bags.
okpilak29 February 2024
A lot of very exciting disaster movies have come out of Norway, but it may be as they became more popular, they take on a Hollywood feel. We are introduced to Norway having lots and lots of tunnels, most do not have safe rooms, and when something serious happens, people are more or less on their own. The movie is a blend of different accidents that have happened. At a control center, Andrea is left to try and determine what happened, and where in the tunnel it happened. There are sensors, but they are not specific enough to pinpoint where it happened, and the tunnel is long. The best trained and equipped rescue team is far away, and the lessor equipped one is much closer. And they throw in characters mainly for emotional impact. They do show what happens when people panic in the tunnel. And the plastic bag is to blame.
It's believably entertaining as any Norway film can be
TruView5 September 2021
So this is what modern day action and suspense looks like in Nordic Scandinavian countries where the ice preserves everything keeping it in its pristine form. One of the first things that immediately jumps out at you is how beautifully maintained their townships are. I later found out that this was not just a production prop but a widespread practice among those parts of the world. This however is due more to population density and very cold climate than to anything else.
Even with the mishap of a careened oil tanker in such a confined space, not a lot can or will happen until the very last moment. As a consequence the film relies heavily on the dramatic capability of its actors to carry it where and when action itself cannot be employed; in particular Thorbjørn Harr, whose stint on History Channel's, Vikings, showcased that very intense but guarded demeanor so charismatic. Other than the entertainment value, this movie offers practical advice of what to do in such situations. Bravo! However, it is just a little too slow for my American Hollywood palette. This, and the fact that it is dubbed takes away from its authenticity. I would have much preferred to read English subtitles.
Even with the mishap of a careened oil tanker in such a confined space, not a lot can or will happen until the very last moment. As a consequence the film relies heavily on the dramatic capability of its actors to carry it where and when action itself cannot be employed; in particular Thorbjørn Harr, whose stint on History Channel's, Vikings, showcased that very intense but guarded demeanor so charismatic. Other than the entertainment value, this movie offers practical advice of what to do in such situations. Bravo! However, it is just a little too slow for my American Hollywood palette. This, and the fact that it is dubbed takes away from its authenticity. I would have much preferred to read English subtitles.
This movie has potential
mette_rytter18 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
.. and great actors! Really great acting.
But throughout the movie you keep questioning the "every man for themselves" why did they do that? I don't know if it's realistic or not.
It seems as if there are major plot holes, and characters that didn't need to be in the movie.
4/10.
But throughout the movie you keep questioning the "every man for themselves" why did they do that? I don't know if it's realistic or not.
It seems as if there are major plot holes, and characters that didn't need to be in the movie.
4/10.
This movie was terrible
nicolaiox-3778911 October 2022
The main characters were boring. The Father trying to move on with his life and the daughter being a brat at what looks to be at least 17 years old was stupid. I don't understand why other then the drivers the other people just didn't leave the tunnel. I would have instructed anyone in my car to continue on foot and when the tunnel opened I would pick them up. I hate tunnels so I wouldn't want to be stuck there not knowing when we were getting out. After a half an hour I would have to try to escape. It's sad seeing movies like this when you know this is a true story and so many people didn't make it out alive.
Disaster movie. Loved it
idavainionpaa5 January 2021
The tunnel tells us the story about a 9 km long tunnel and the catastrophic events that can happen if something went wrong.
It's inspired by real life events, even though they didn't occur in this exakt sequence. Hopefully we'll have more safety regulations as an effect of this film.
The film is executed very well. All from acting, to editing to the length of the scenes, to storytelling. All. One get's to follow a lot of characters which also is nice. You get this 'carpe diem' feeling because every day truly counts.
Also, there are no unreal scenes really. That's kind of special for a disaster film as one tends to see the most unreal events happen. Not here. And that's a big positive for the film. Go ahead and watch it!
It's inspired by real life events, even though they didn't occur in this exakt sequence. Hopefully we'll have more safety regulations as an effect of this film.
The film is executed very well. All from acting, to editing to the length of the scenes, to storytelling. All. One get's to follow a lot of characters which also is nice. You get this 'carpe diem' feeling because every day truly counts.
Also, there are no unreal scenes really. That's kind of special for a disaster film as one tends to see the most unreal events happen. Not here. And that's a big positive for the film. Go ahead and watch it!
Turn around and leave
ivann_198721 June 2021
Mehhhh
windsorenquirer16 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Could have been so much better. It started quite interesting but then it went down the hill pretty fast. And all our hero wanted to do was to rescue his daughter and then 2 kids of some stupid mother who just left them there in a dark tunnel full of smoke. And how come these kids survived when most of the people just died.
And by the way, I would like to know how this huge plow truck could turn around in this tunnel with all those cars parked there blocking at least one of the two lanes? Nonsense!
No, not a good movie.
And by the way, I would like to know how this huge plow truck could turn around in this tunnel with all those cars parked there blocking at least one of the two lanes? Nonsense!
No, not a good movie.
Predictable but had its moments
syerra21 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I made it all the way through, so that says something. I usually bail if I roll my eyes one too many times. That being said, there's no way I would not have refused that little purple-long-haired hitchhiker a ride if I were driving that truck, and I would've gotten him killed. :) I wish I knew the actor's name. I hope that's his real hair :) Try not to focus on all the timeline holes. Like the fact that the truck driver who caused the fire definitely drove for more than 1 or 2 miles if he was doing the speed limit in that tunnel. And all the times people were walking around with nothing protecting their faces when all of them had clothing of some type to stop the smoke or at least filter it out. I probably would've died in there but it would have been automatic to cover my face and never remove it. And get down and crawl. Plus why would they only have an option of running those fans at 25% or 100%? Why not something in the middle? Up it to 50%? I might've read the knob wrong when they opened the box to raise the fans up, but it sure looked like it was only two choices and not a gradual rise. All-in-all, it's a very, VERY typical disaster movie.
Better than the criticisms.
verawbrauer8 February 2021
I think this movie was a lot better than people give it credit for. I'm Norwegian myself, and I would 100% say this movie is realistic. Disasters like this have happened here before, and if you look at the occurrences of 22. July, you will realize how what went down in the movie, would most likely also happen if this was real life.
Good acting, great plot and very well executed. I think this movie deserves better than what everyone here makes it out to be.
Would recommend.
Good acting, great plot and very well executed. I think this movie deserves better than what everyone here makes it out to be.
Would recommend.
Terrible script and directing
whotheff22 December 2021
Exelent story with terrible writing and directing. It had everything a disaster movie needed, but they ruined it. The main problem is the total lack of logic. Various people, services, firemen, rescuers, helicopters do nothing. Suddenly everybody forgets that cars can also be used to move, not only stay in them. Fans blow without any effect, firemen suddenly forget they can use vehicles to enter a tunnel, traffic control does not control anything, just logging phone conversations. Almost nobody uses cloth to cover his mouth and nose, people give advises to others, but then they do exactly the opposite of what they advised others. Random actions of professionals without any contact between them. A disaster movie by any means.
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