The true story about legendary explorer Thor Heyerdahl and his epic crossing of the Pacific on a balsa wood raft in 1947, in an effort to prove it was possible for South Americans to settle in Polynesia in pre-Columbian times.
Practical Effects
They actually built and sailed a balsa raft. Twice.
Cinematography
Ocean cinematography that'll give you thalassophobia.
Acting
Pål Sverre Hagen's stubborn jaw could cut glass.
Director
Joachim Rønning
Pål Sverre Hagen
Thor Heyerdahl
Anders Baasmo Christiansen
Herman Watzinger
Tobias Santelmann
Knut Haugland
Gustaf Skarsgård
Bengt Danielsson
Odd-Magnus Williamson
Erik Hesselberg
Jakob Oftebro
Torstein Raaby
Agnes Kittelsen
Liv Heyerdahl
Manuel Cauchi
Jose Bustamente
Richard Trinder
Løytnant Lewis
Søren Pilmark
Freuchen
Peter Wight
Spinden
Jo Adrian Haavind
Journalist
Ian Bonar
Sailor
Eilif Hellum Noraker
Thor Jr.
Elisabeth Matheson
Allison
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 1947 expedition filmed itself, winning the first-ever Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 1951. This 2012 version shot two rafts simultaneously — one for open ocean, one for close-ups.
Heyerdahl's theory about South American settlement was largely discredited by DNA evidence, but the film sidesteps this to preserve his heroic narrative. Awkward!
DK
NO
