Occupied (Okkupert)-Series 1 (Blu-ray) (2015)

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General		Extras
Category	Thriller	None
Rating
Year Of Production	2015
Running Time	449
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered Multi Disc Set (3)	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	John Andreas Andersen Erik Skjoldbjærg Pål Sletaune Erik Richter Strand
Studio Distributor	Madman Entertainment	Starring	Henrik Mestad Eldar Skar Vegar Hoel Ane Dahl Torp Ragnhild Gudbrandsen Ingeborga Dapkunite Sondre Larsen Selome Emnetu
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	$42.95	Music	Nicholas Sillitoe

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	Norwegian Linear PCM 48/24 2.0 Norwegian DTS HD Master Audio 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.85:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080i
Original Aspect Ratio	1.85:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     For those looking for a television series to watch which is not clichéd and does not follow a usual formula, this one is definitely one to see. Okkupert (Occupied in English) is a Norwegian television series which is the most expensive one ever made in Norway. It is based around an interesting scenario devised by well-known Norwegian author, Jo Nesbo (author of Headhunters amongst many other novels). If you accept the basic premise (which it could be argued is unlikely) the show which follows is an excellent geo-political thriller.

     The scenario is that in the near future Norway elects a green party to run the country on a platform of removing Norway's dependence on fossil fuels. The new Prime Minister, Jesper Berg (Henrik Mestad) has been elected with a mandate to shut down production of oil and gas from their reserves to be replaced with new green energy. As Norway provides a significant proportion of Europe's energy, the EU warns Berg that cutting off their energy supplies is not acceptable. He persists and announces that they will stop all production of fossil fuels. As he leaves the announcement at a new green energy plant, he is kidnapped in his own helicopter, we find out later, by Russian special forces troops. His bodyguard, Hans Martin Djupvik (Eldar Skar) witnesses the kidnapping and immediately takes off in pursuit of the helicopter, eventually finding Berg wandering along a snowbound road. He is in shock and has been warned not to stop fossil fuel production and to 'cooperate' with the imminent takeover of Norwegian oil and gas production by Russian forces. Norway must either stand on its own or submit to the demands of the EU, as fronted by the Russians. How will the Norwegian people respond when they work out what is going on?

     As the story progresses, other characters become more important including

• Thomas Eriksen (Vegar Hoel) - An investigative journalist who is also present at the kidnapping and decides to work out what is going on.
• Bente Norum (Ane Dahl Torp) - Eriksen's partner who runs a restaurant in Oslo, which is failing until it becomes a favourite of the Russians
• Wenche Arnesen (Ragnhild Gudbrandsen) - Head of the Police Security Services
• Irina Sidorova (Ingeborga Dapkunite) - The new Russian Ambassador, who controls their activities in Norway
• Stefan Christensen (Sondre Larsen) - A young Royal guardsman who doesn't respond well to the Russian 'invasion'
• Hilde Djupvik (Selome Emnetu) - Hans Martin's wife and a judge.

     The story is told over 10, 45 minute episodes (spread over three Blu-rays) and contains many twists and turns and interesting moments of thriller intensity, political machinations, action and drama. The acting is universally of high quality with Henrik Mestad as the besieged Prime Minister the standout. The music also adds significantly to the feel of the show, especially the score by Nicholas Sillitoe and the theme tune. As usual with Scandinavian productions, things are bleak and lacking in vibrant colours. The story brings in other issues beyond fossil fuels including immigrants, political refugees, national independence and the role of the US in international relations.

     The series was made in Norway in 2015 and a second season is currently being produced, following on from the cliff-hanger ending of Season 1.

     A high quality political thriller which is very different to US television shows. Highly recommended.

Video

     The video is very good but only in 1080i. There is good detail and clarity however this is sometimes marred by motion blur when things are in fast motion. Colour is good representing the muted colour scheme well. Shadow detail is also very good. The aspect ratio is the original 1.85:1 which provides a somewhat theatrical look onscreen. It certainly looks as good as similar Scandinavian theatrical releases.

     There are English subtitles available which translate the Russian and Norwegian but do not include the sometimes heavily accented English used in some sequences.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     The audio is very good being the original Norwegian (plus some Russian and English) in two different technical formats being the default LPCM 2.0 and a superior DTS HD-MA 5.1 mix. The 5.1 mix represents the show well, providing good surround ambiance, some directional effects and easy to hear dialogue. The music also comes across well, filling the soundstage. Good quality sound for a television production without sounding like a major theatrical release.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Menu

    The menu features music.

    This film is available in the UK in the same format including audio options but not in the US. Buy local.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is very good.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall