This movie makes Herman Watzinger look like a spineless wimp, which I find difficult to believe about anyone who would voluntarily set sail across the Pacific on a balsam wood raft held together by rope.
shareYeah, well, there's nothing we can do about it now. They did make two versions of this film though, one in english and one in norwegian. We can just all hope they've taken notice of this in the english version.
Do you smell that? No? Well, get to the kitchen then!
He isn't one bit like that in the book. He was the expedition's technical leader, taking care of most measurements, cooling water and playing doctor when he was needed... He did fell in the water, but he was trying to catch Torstein's sleeping bag, taken by the wind. Also, according to the book, he wasn't the one who attacked the whale-shark. He was all as bold and brave as the others, he wasn't a bit plumpy (see the original documentary/pictures), and he was the first person to support and have faith in Thor regarding the expedition.
I do understand that a movie might need some "drama". But I really don't condone this drama being developed at the cost of one of the heroes.
[deleted]
Hey folks,
Yes, the film inaccurately portrayed Herman Watzinger. It is bad history, and bad history makes for bad story telling. Theatrical/dramatic license? It is still bad history and bad story telling.
If a story is supposed to tell the story of an actual event, tell the real story. Certainly the real story of the Kon-Tiki contained all the drama necessary for a great as well as accurate story. What is the problem with the truth?
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
Seems they tried unsuccessfully to rehabilitate him a bit toward the end when he suggests they cut anchor and ride the "thirteenth wave"...
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