The King's Choice is a 2016 Norwegian historical drama that focuses on the dramatic events surrounding the German invasion of Norway during the Second World War in April 1940. The film is based on true events and follows the Norwegian King Haakon VII during the decisive days when the country was to be occupied by Nazi Germany. On April 9, 1940, when the German troops attack Norway, the king is faced with a difficult choice: either bow to the pressure of the German government and hand over the country or oppose the occupation and support the resistance, which could lead to civil war. The film shows how the king and his government wrestle with this moral and political decision and the impact it has on the fate of Norway and its people.
The 2015 movie April 9th describes the events of the German invasion of Denmark from the perspective of a Danish bicycle unit.
The following weapons were used in the film The King's Choice:
Pistols
Kongsberg M/1914
Crown Prince Olav (Anders Baasmo Christiansen) and other Norwegian officers are seen carrying holstered Kongsberg m/1914s, the Norwegian copy of the Colt M1911.
Kongsberg M/1914 - .45 ACP
A promotional picture showing the Kongsberg's bottom grip of Crown Prince Olav.
Luger P08
A Luger P08 is wielded by a German Feldwebel (Seargent) of the Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) after the Battle of Midtskogen.
Luger P08 - 9x19mm Parabellum
While kneeling and interrogating Seeberg the
Feldwebel unlocks the Luger...
...and holds it over a wounded Norwegian soldier.
Submachine Guns
MP 40
Some German soldiers and paratroopers are seen with MP 40s.
Maschinenpistole 40 - 9x19mm Parabellum
Three German soldiers with their MP 40s as they arrived at the embassy in the background around Diana Müller (Juliane Köhler).
A
Fallschirmjäger in the background behind the
Feldwebel holds an MP 40s. Note the distinctive
Fallschirmjägerhelm M38 helmets worn by them.
Rifles
Krag-Jørgensen Model 1894
Norwegian soldiers of the 1st Royal Guards Company including Fredrik Seeberg (Arthur Hakalahti), Frode Vestli (Herbert Nordrum), and Menig Helge Løken (Benjamin Lønne Røsler) are armed with Krag-Jørgensen Model 1894s.
Krag-Jørgensen Gevær M/1894 (Lang-Krag) - 6.5x55mm SE
Fredrik Seeberg with his full length Krag-Jørgensen slung over his back during the briefing. Note the bayonet lug on the muzzle and the parade hook at the barrel band.
Norwegian soldiers are given tasks at the barricade at Midtskogen. The rifle's stock with the pistol grip is perfectly seen in the center.
A distant view of Seeberg's rifle as he salutes to the King's car.
A soldier passes the time by swinging a 6.5x55mm cartridge which offers a view of the loading gate.
Auxiliary troops and regular soldiers in position behind cover with their Krag-Jørgensens before the Battle of Midtskogen during the night of April 10, 1940.
Seeberg points his Krag-Jørgensen at the stopped German column.
Frode Vestli picks his target at the beginning of the battle.
Stressed Seeberg reloads his rifle which offers a view of the bolt handle.
After changing his position to the other side of the hut he fires in the directions of advancing Germans.
Vestli shouts to Seeberg that he should withdraw.
A Norwegian soldier escorts Kurt Bräuer (
Karl Markovics) through a checkpoint.
Krag-Jørgensen M1904 Carbine
At least one Norwegian soldier can briefly be seen with a Krag-Jørgensen Model 1904 Carbine.
Krag-Jørgensen M/1912 Karabin - 6.5x55mm SE; the M/1904 is identical in appearance and length but the muzzle and position of the rear sight are different.
The soldier to the left shoulders his carbine.
Another view of the carbine on the left as he moves out.
Karabiner 98k
German Fallschirmjägers and soldiers carry Karabiner 98ks.
Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser
German soldiers and paratroopers enter the German embassy in Oslo.
A soldier guards the embassy after the capture of the city.
Paratroopers with their slung Kar98ks leaving the embassy square.
Two
Fallschirmjäger encounter Seeberg and a civilian.
Another angle of the paratroopers aiming their Karabiners at them. Note the hooded front sight on the left carbine.
One of the paratroopers continues to point it at the civilian.
Machine Guns
Kongsberg M/29
Like in the actual events of the Battle of Midtskogen, two Kongsberg M/29s (Norwegian copy of the Colt 1917 variant) are deployed by Norwegian soldiers. Both of them are seen jamming due to the cold temperatures which really happened in the battle.
Kongsberg M/29 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
A blurry close up of the water cooling jacket of one M/29 starts firing.
Another view of the machine gun returning fire.
The second M/29 jammed during the firefight.
The soldiers try to get it working again. Note German illumination rounds hit the nearby barn and therefore caught fire which revealed the Norwegian positions.
Kurt Bräuer walks by a Norwegian soldier manning an M/29 at a checkpoint.
Hand Grenades
Model 24 Stielhandgranate
A Model 24 Stielhandgranate is thrown by a Fallschirmjäger.
Stielhandgranate Modell 24
The Stielhandgranate lies on the ground.
Other
28 cm MRK L/35
During the Battle of Drøbak Sound, two 28 cm Krupp MRK L/35 coast-defense guns of the Oscarsborg Fortress in the Oslofjord are seen operated by Norwegian soldiers under the command of Oberst (Colonel) Eriksen (Erik Hivju). The guns seen in the movie are genuine, that were bought by Norway in 1893 from the German Empire. Two of these guns, with personal names Moses and Aron, heavily contributed in sinking the Kriegsmarine heavy cruiser Blücher.
Marine-Kanone L/35 No. 1 "Aron" at the
Oscarsborg Fortress - 283 mm (11.1 in)
Col. Eriksen walks to the edge of the coast defense to observe the arrival of the enemy fleet.
The 28 cm
Sprenggranate L/2.9 high-explosive shell lifted by the gun crew.
The crew turns the coastal defense gun to the left.
A front view of the gun targeting to the
Blücher.
The crew withdrawing from the battery as the
Blücher desperately returns fire with its small caliber guns.
Heavy Cruiser Blücher
The film depicts the sinking of the Admiral Hipper-class heavy cruiser Blücher of the Kriegsschiffgruppe 5 Oslo of the Kriegsmarine on April 9, 1940
The
Blücher gets hit from the first Krupp gun. Behind it, the silhouette of the
Deutschland-class heavy cruiser
Lützow is barely visible.
The burning cruiser after the second 28 cm shell hit.
The second torpedo hits the
Blücher.
Heinkel He 111
Various computer-generated Heinkel He 111 medium bombers are seen throughout the movie.
Four Heinkels on their way to bomb a railway station.
A Heinkel flies over fleeing Norwegian refugees.
A rear view of one bomber.
Join our Discord!
