The King's Choice (2016) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

As Norway faces invasion, Haakon must choose whether to accept German demands or uphold the country's sovereignty and the Cabinet's decision.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Warnings and Rejected Offers

Olav warns Haakon that the sunken transport carried German soldiers. Bräuer presents Germany's offer, but Norway refuses to surrender its sovereignty.

Key Events

• Warning About the Sunken Transport — Olav tells Haakon that the sunken ship carried German soldiers and voices concern about Norway's neutrality. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Crown Prince Olav of Norway Location: Norway
• Pohlman's Embassy Instruction — Pohlman instructs Bräuer to encourage Norway to admit German troops under a protective pretext. Characters: Curt Bräuer, Hartvig Pohlman Location: German embassy in Oslo
• Norway Rejects the German Offer — Bräuer presents the offer to Koht, who refuses it after consulting the Cabinet. Characters: Curt Bräuer Location: Oslo
• Oscarsborg Prepares for Combat — Eriksen prepares his undermanned garrison as reports arrive of approaching German ships. Characters: Birger Eriksen Location: Oscarsborg Fortress near Drøbak

The Invasion Reaches Oslo

Eriksen's garrison sinks the Blücher as the German invasion begins. Haakon and the royal family leave Oslo for Hamar, while the threat to Norway's leadership intensifies.

Key Events

• Eriksen Fires on the Blücher — Without orders from Oslo, Eriksen judges the approaching cruiser hostile and orders his forces to fire. Characters: Birger Eriksen Location: Drøbak Sound
• The Blücher Is Sunk — The fortress guns and torpedo battery sink the German cruiser. Characters: Birger Eriksen Location: Drøbak Sound
• The King Is Told to Flee — Nygaardsvold informs Haakon of the invasion and advises him to leave Oslo. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway Location: Oslo
• The Royal Train Leaves Oslo — The royal family boards a train for Hamar as Parliament convenes there. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Crown Prince Olav of Norway, Crown Princess Märtha of Norway Location: Railway from Oslo to Hamar
• Bräuer Seeks Reassurance — Bräuer meets the Oslo police chief, his intermediary with the Norwegian Cabinet, to reassure them of his wish to negotiate. Characters: Curt Bräuer Location: Oslo
• Orders to Capture the Leadership — Pohlman receives orders from Berlin to send paratroopers to Hamar to capture the King and Cabinet. Characters: Hartvig Pohlman Location: German embassy in Oslo

Flight and Family Separation

Quisling proclaims himself Prime Minister as German forces pursue the Norwegian leadership. The royal family relocates, and Märtha and the children are sent to Sweden while Haakon and Olav remain.

Key Events

• Quisling's Radio Proclamation — Quisling proclaims himself Prime Minister over the radio and calls on Norwegians to accept the occupation. Location: Norway
• Bräuer Is Sent to the King — Bräuer receives Hitler's instruction to convince Haakon to recognize Quisling's government. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Curt Bräuer Location: Norway
• The Royal Party Moves to Elverum — As German forces advance, the royal family and Cabinet relocate from Hamar to Elverum. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Crown Prince Olav of Norway, Crown Princess Märtha of Norway Location: Elverum
• Märtha and the Children Depart — Märtha and the children are sent to Sweden while Haakon and Olav stay in Norway. Characters: Crown Prince Olav of Norway, Crown Princess Märtha of Norway, Prince Harald (3 years) Location: Norway to Sweden
• Midtskogen Roadblock Attack — German paratroopers attack a roadblock and are beaten back by Norwegian volunteers. Location: Midtskogen

The King's Refusal

After a Norwegian roadblock repels paratroopers, Haakon agrees to meet Bräuer despite Olav's concerns. He rejects the demand to recognize Quisling and offers to abdicate rather than oppose the Cabinet.

Key Events

• Haakon Agrees to Meet Bräuer — Despite Olav's objections, Haakon agrees to meet Bräuer alone to discuss ending hostilities. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Crown Prince Olav of Norway, Curt Bräuer Location: Nybergsund and Elverum
• Bräuer Demands Capitulation — Bräuer urges Haakon to capitulate and recognize Quisling's government. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Curt Bräuer Location: Elverum
• Haakon Refuses and Offers Abdication — Haakon refuses to accept Quisling as Prime Minister and offers to abdicate if the Cabinet disagrees. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Crown Prince Olav of Norway Location: Elverum
• The Cabinet Rejects the Demand — Inspired by Haakon's decision, the Cabinet informs Bräuer that it refuses the German demand. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Curt Bräuer Location: Elverum

Exile and Reunion

German bombing forces Haakon and the Cabinet into the woods and eventually into exile in Britain. Following the German surrender, Haakon reunites with Harald in London before the royal family's return to Norway.

Key Events

• Bombing Forces a Woodland Flight — German aircraft bomb both towns, forcing Haakon and the Cabinet to flee into the woods. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Crown Prince Olav of Norway Location: Elverum and Nybergsund
• Escape to Britain — Haakon and Olav escape to Britain with the Norwegian leaders and remain there until the war ends. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Crown Prince Olav of Norway Location: Britain
• Reunion in London — After the German surrender, Haakon reunites with Harald before the royal family's return to Norway. Characters: King Haakon VII of Norway, Prince Harald (3 years) Location: London

Story Breakdown

• Warnings of Invasion — Early reports reveal the threat behind Germany's actions and the strain on Norway's neutrality.
  • Olav's Warning — Olav tells Haakon the sunken transport carried German soldiers.
  • German Embassy Plan — Pohlman instructs Bräuer to press Norway to admit German troops.
• Norway Rejects Germany — Bräuer's offer fails to persuade the Norwegian government to yield its sovereignty.
  • Offer to Koht — Bräuer brings Germany's proposal to the Foreign Minister.
  • Sovereignty Defended — Koht refuses the offer after consulting the Cabinet.
• Oscarsborg Resistance — Eriksen's undermanned garrison acts against the approaching German cruiser without orders from Oslo.
  • Garrison Prepares — Eriksen readies his forces after receiving reports of incoming ships.
  • Blücher Sunk — The fortress guns and torpedo battery sink the cruiser.
• Flight from Oslo — The invasion forces the royal family and Norwegian leadership to move away from the capital.
  • King Receives Warning — Nygaardsvold tells Haakon of the invasion and advises him to flee.
  • Train to Hamar — The royal family leaves Oslo as Parliament convenes in Hamar.
• Threat to the Leadership — German plans to capture the King and Cabinet intensify as Quisling claims power.
  • Quisling's Proclamation — Quisling declares himself Prime Minister over the radio.
  • Paratrooper Orders — Pohlman receives orders to send paratroopers to Hamar.
• Royal Family Divided — As German forces advance, the family separates for safety while Haakon and Olav stay in Norway.
  • Move to Elverum — The royal family and Cabinet relocate from Hamar.
  • Märtha Goes to Sweden — Märtha and the children leave while Haakon and Olav remain.
• Haakon's Defining Choice — Haakon hears Bräuer's demands and refuses to accept Quisling as Prime Minister.
  • Meeting with Bräuer — Haakon agrees to meet Bräuer despite Olav's objections.
  • Refusal and Abdication Offer — Haakon rejects the demand and offers to abdicate if the Cabinet disagrees.
• Bombing and Exile — The Cabinet's refusal is followed by bombing, flight, and years of exile in Britain.
  • Cabinet Refuses — The Cabinet informs Bräuer that it will not accept the demand.
  • Escape to Britain — Haakon and the Norwegian leaders flee after German aircraft bomb the towns.
• Return After War — The German surrender brings an intimate family reunion before the royal family's return to Norway.
  • Harald Reunited with Haakon — Haakon meets his grandson in London in May 1945.
  • Royal Family Returns — The royal family prepares to return to Norway after the war.

Directed by

Erik Poppe

Key Cast

• Jesper Christensen — King Haakon VII of Norway
• Anders Baasmo Christiansen — Crown Prince Olav of Norway
• Karl Markovics — Curt Bräuer
• Tuva Novotny — Crown Princess Märtha of Norway
• Arthur Hakalahti — Fredrik Seeberg