Review of King of Devil's Island (2010) by Walter M — 26 Apr 2013

In 1915, Erling(Benjamin Helstad) and Ivar(Magnus Langlete) are sent to the boys reform camp on Bastoy Island, under the stewardship of its governor, Bestyreren(Stellan Skarsgard), who assigns them to C dorm with its very watchful housefather, Brathen(Kristoffer Joner). Bestyreren has taken a special interest in Erling who he feels Bastoy would be a better fit than prison, since Erling had previously been in the navy, employing the promise of an eventual release in exchange for good behavior. Erling begs to disagree, as he soon starts planning his escape.

"King of Devil's Island" is a slow and predictable movie that occasionally feels like a Norwegian juvenile version of "Cool Hand Luke," as Erling has definite problems with authority, trying to tick them off at every turn. That takes away a lot from any possible emotional impact that "The King of Devil's Island" might have had when it severely remarks on the past treatment of children where wayward ones(that said, it is possible Erling killed someone) were sent to a remote island that contained the very real threats of corporal punishment, humiliation and sexual abuse.(Bullying is a bit on the light side, though.) And as a specific true story, it probably more or less concerns the more dramatic third act.