The Heroes of Telemark

Norwegian resistance operatives carry out a preliminary sabotage at the Vemrok hydroelectric plant in Rjukan, aiming to curb heavy water production. The act is part of a broader plan to hinder Nazi atomic ambitions. The operation unfolds under tight security and high risk as the team acts at the plant.

Rolf, a Norwegian physicist, is drawn into the resistance and his personal ties deepen as he reconnects with his ex-wife Anna. The involvement pulls him further into the struggle and raises the stakes for their relationship. They become committed collaborators in the sabotage effort.

Rolf and Knut hijack a passenger steamship to Britain to deliver microfilmed plans of the hydroelectric plant. The British authorities express strong interest, validating the value of the resistance's information. The mission marks a bold turn toward Allied coordination.

Rolf and Knut parachute back into Norway to organize a coordinated strike against the Vemork plant. They assemble a small team of saboteurs and lay groundwork for a more aggressive operation. The plan shifts from gathering intelligence to direct action against the facility.

A Royal Engineers unit traveling to assist the raid is shot down by German forces, forcing the saboteurs to improvise under pressure. The loss heightens urgency and danger, yet the resistance continues with renewed resolve. The setback emphasizes the perils of operating behind enemy lines.

Pedersen and Straud lead a small Norwegian force into the plant, triggering explosions and sabotaging key infrastructure. The raid achieves some damage, but the Germans quickly replace and repair the equipment, limiting long-term impact. The operation demonstrates courage and the resilience of the German response.

A Quisling saboteur ingratiates himself with the resistance, then betrays them to the Germans. The safe house is attacked by a German plane, sending the resistance into chaos. The betrayal tests trust and destabilizes the group at a critical moment.

Nazis and the saboteur pursue Rolf and Knut; the two become separated, and Rolf confronts and kills the betrayer in a tense confrontation. The death removes a dangerous insider but intensifies the danger from German forces. The chase underscores the relentless pressure on the resistance.

Rolf and Knut learn of German plans to ship heavy water drums to Germany and set out to sabotage the ferry carrying the drums. Their actions disrupt the critical transport route and create a race against time as the convoy moves toward its destination. The sabotage aims to permanently hinder heavy water production.

Rolf ends up aboard the ferry when he sees a widow with a young child, and he devises a way for children on deck to practice with lifejackets at the stern. When the ferry sinks, everyone wearing lifejackets makes it possible for survivors to escape. The dramatic improvisation highlights courage and quick thinking under pressure.

Knut and Anna, in a small boat, arrive to help rescue passengers and guide them to safety as chaos unfolds on the sinking ferry. Their bravery mirrors the larger resistance effort and emphasizes civilian involvement in the rescue. The coordinated effort saves numerous lives.

The mission demonstrates the vulnerability of the German heavy water program, achieving symbolic impact even if the plant's equipment is quickly repaired. The courageous acts bolster Norwegian resolve and illustrate how resistance disrupts the Nazi war machine. Survivors carry the memory of the sacrifice as the struggle continues.