In 1947, explorer Thor Heyerdal and his crew of 5 floated a balsa wood raft 5,000 miles across the Pacific to prove it was possible for South Americans to have settled in Polynesia years before Columbus.  The documentary of his voyage won an Oscar, but this is a slightly fictionalized version of the story. They departed from Peru in their suits, but the arduous voyage stripped down their wardrobe and their disposition. There are expected encounters with storms and sharks, plus the nagging concern that they may disappear into the seas forever. Throughout it remains a fascinating and sometimes gripping re-creation, a tribute to these brave men and their remarkable feat.

NOTE: Each scene in the film was shot twice, one time in Norwegian, then in English.

(Streaming on Netflix and Amazon)

 

(3.5 / 5)