Erik Poppe's cinematically riveting historical biopic "Quisling -The Final Days" captures the life and legacy of Vidkun Quisling. Known for his collaboration with the Nazis, Quisling became the wartime government's puppet head and is now notorious as a traitor in Norwegian history. The movie reflects on the German occupation's bizarre period and its aftermath through Quisling's life and his interactions with Pastor Peder Olsen.
Focusing on Quisling's compelling prison meetings with Pastor Olsen, Poppe constructs a stimulating narrative around the authoritarian's path towards remorse and redemption. Extracting inspiration from Olsen's undocumented diary, the screenplay delves into Quisling's complex autocratic psyche with striking performances and capturing cinematography.
The narrative flows from the historic moment of Norway's liberation from the five-year-long German occupation in 1945 when Quisling is arrested and the country eagerly demands justice. Eager to see Quisling punished is prison guard Arvid, who lost his brother due to Quisling's horrifying regime.
In an effort to address Norway's past yet prevent Quisling's transformation into a martyr, Bishop Berggrav appoints hospital chaplain Olsen as Quisling's spiritual advisor, provoking intense personal doubts and faith questioning for Olsen.
As Quisling is charged with treachery, he attempts to validate his actions as beneficial for Norway in court, dismissing his lawyer's advice to plead insanity. His narcissistic assertions are dismantled by evidence, causing further doubts for Olsen about his own past actions and beliefs. When Quisling claims to have helped more Jews than anyone, this is repudiated by an emotional testimony from Dr. Leo Eitinger, revealing that only 12 of the 1,000 deported Jews survived under Quisling's regime.
As the narrative oscillates between prison, courtroom, and homes, it draws parallels between Quisling's distorted ideologies encouraged by his wife and Olsen's struggle with his assigned task, even while supported by his wife. The engrossing conversations and philosophical discussions between Olsen and Quisling form the film's backbone.
Amidst involved dialogue, Poppe and his team create an engaging movie experience, using vibrant cinematographic techniques and a suspense-filled score. Ingeniously, they capture Quisling's dire situation as the walls of his past crimes close in on him - providing a chilling exploration into Norway's troubling past.
