Amundsen: The Greatest Expedition

This historical biopic offers a fascinating look at the life of one of the world's greatest explorers. As the first known person to reach the South Pole, Amundsen's fame is well-earned, but his private life turned out to be an expedition that Amundsen was less than equipped for. As the title character, Hagen does a tremendous job of portraying a person who quietly yet sternly lived life by his own rules, to the point of driving a wedge between himself and his brother. Rubeck does a similarly impressive job of portraying an older brother who simply wants to have the close relationship he once had with his younger sibling.

Director Espen Sandberg and cinematographer Pål Ulvik Rokseth showcase the expansive beauty and haunting quality of the Arctic and Antarctic through methodical pacing and panoramic shots, giving viewers an up-close look at the South Pole. Its harshness isn't glossed over; several scenes show how unforgiving the terrain can be. These scenes impress upon viewers how dangerous -- and how miraculous -- Amundsen's expeditions actually were. As a man who seemingly cheated death many times over, it makes sense that the film's final scenes show him looking death in the eye in the place closest to his heart: the Arctic wilderness.