One out of
Five stars
Running time:
102 mins
This wartime Scandinavian drama about an unlikely friendship between German and British aircraft crews is frightfully dull and lifeless, thanks to weak and unconvincing performances and a terribly flawed script.
What’s it all about?
Directed by Petter Naess, Cross of Honour stars Rupert Grint as one half of a World War II aircraft crew who is shot down in a remote and isolated region of Norway. Surrounded by snow for miles, the two pilots eventually seek cover in a secluded cabin, which also happens to be sheltering three German airmen. At first enemies, the two groups are quickly forced to work together in surviving the brutal winter and attempt a return to war. With a mutual need meaning their cooperation is vital, unlikely friendships are soon formed, as the men put aside the rules of war in favour of their fight for survival.
The Bad
Based on true events, Cross of Honour ultimately intends to tell a story of an unlikely bond between enemies, trying its best to be both thought-provoking and enlightening. However, in actual fact, the film fails to entertain and enchant in even the smallest doses, falling short with its attempts to create a believable union between the British and Germans. As both groups play up to their nation’s stereotypes – the Germans with their strict rules and regulations, the British with their patriotic defence mechanisms and cocky characteristics – the audience is left to cringe at the clichés taking place and the terrible acting attempting to bring them to life.
The Worse
Despite being set in the harsh and sub-zero conditions of the Norwegian wilderness, the cast somehow never realistically appear as even the slightest bit cold or uncomfortable and instead look like they’re cosily snug on set. As a result, Cross of Honour just never works as a convincing drama that intends to portray true heroism and friendship. The dreadful script doesn’t help this, with characters letting out some frightfully corny lines that are emphasised by the cast’s overall poor performances, which ultimately fail to convince us of their supposed fear and anxiety over their fates. With the characters also lacking chemistry and the script lacking essential authentic moments of male bonding, Cross of Honour simply doesn’t satisfy in its portrayal of friendship and a fight for survival.
Worth seeing?
Thanks to dreadful performances and an excruciatingly weak script, Cross of Honour screams ITV drama, lacking the essential cinematic magic needed to entice and enchant on the big screen. One to avoid.