🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Adrian Vitoria
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller, War
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 34min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (10K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Sean Bean recruits Danny Dyer and some other blokes to walk to Norway, blow some stuff up, and then start walking to Sweden.
🍿 Age of Heroes: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Dunkirk and Formation of the Unit
In May 1940, Corporal Bob Rains leads a group of retreating British soldiers during the evacuation of Dunkirk. Rains is later imprisoned for striking an officer and charged with cowardice. Meanwhile, Major Jack Jones is tasked by Lieutenant Commander Ian Fleming with forming a commando unit for a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. This unit is a precursor to the elite forces in the U.K.

Recruitment and Training
Major Jones recruits Corporal Brightling from the military prison. During the recruitment process, Rains escapes by taking Jones hostage and convinces him to enlist him in the commando unit. The team undergoes rigorous training in Scotland, preparing them for the harsh conditions they will face. The training camp environment tests their limits and forges them into a fighting force, weeding out the weak.

Mission in Norway
The commando unit is deployed to Nazi-occupied Norway with the mission to destroy a German Freya radar station and steal valuable technology. During their flight, the plane is attacked, and they are forced to crash land, losing vital equipment. The survivors regroup and head towards their target, facing perilous conditions and encountering local resistance. They link up with agent Beowulf (Jensen) to aid their mission.

Infiltration and Assault
The team successfully infiltrates the German radar station, facing heavy resistance from the enemy forces. They manage to destroy the radar equipment and acquire the necessary technology, but they suffer significant casualties. They realize they have been betrayed when their planned naval pick-up fails to appear. Stranded and low on supplies, they face a long and dangerous trek to neutral Sweden.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jones (Sean Bean): A determined Major tasked with leading a commando unit on a dangerous mission in Nazi-occupied Norway.
- Rains (Danny Dyer): An insubordinate corporal with combat skills who is recruited from a military prison for the commando mission.
- Fleming (James D’Arcy): The Naval Intelligence officer, who later becomes the famous author, is responsible for forming the 30 Commando unit.
- Steinar (Aksel Hennie): A member of the commando unit that goes on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines.
- Mac (William Houston): A gritty and experienced Sergeant who assists Jones in training and leading the commando unit.
- Jensen (Izabella Miko): A Norwegian agent who aids the commando unit in their mission to sabotage a German radar facility.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Jones: “If it looks like he’s gonna be captured… or if he is… shoot him.” – Major Jones gives these cold instructions, highlighting the ruthless decisions faced in covert operations.
- Rains: “There’s no tricks or gimmicks. It’s not Hollywood.” – Rains’ statement summarizes the film’s attempt to offer a simpler, more authentic portrayal of war.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Age of Heroes Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went in expecting something a bit more epic, but it’s actually a pretty decent low-budget war flick. Danny Dyer surprised me, and Sean Bean is always solid. The action scenes are okay, but the ending felt a little rushed. Overall, if you’re into WWII movies, it’s worth a watch, but don’t go expecting ‘Saving Private Ryan’ quality. There’s one scene where they’re training in Scotland, and Dyer’s character gets punished for being *too* good at shooting, which made absolutely no sense. Also, the way the movie just ends, with them supposedly walking to Sweden, felt really abrupt. It’s like they ran out of money or something, but hey, it’s still entertaining.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of World War II movies”
- “Viewers interested in commando operations”
- “Those who enjoy action-driven war dramas”
- “Sean Bean fans”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic war violence”
- “Torture scenes”
- “Strong language”
- “Brief depiction of Nazi atrocities”
Professional Reviews
- IMDB: “A non-original war film but a good action film. The story is a combination of several well-known war movies, with a promising beginning and a disappointing conclusion. Sean Bean has a great performance as usual, but the screenplay needed to be improved.
- IMDB: “This is a very boring and predictable copycatting movie, a ‘The Dirty Dozen’, ‘The Guns of Navarone’, ‘The Heroes of Telemark’, and ‘Where Eagles Dare’ British wannabe but a disastrous one with very weak script and bad casting job.
Audience Reactions
Entertaining action and war scenes make it a movie worth watching, even with its flaws.: Despite its low budget and sometimes rushed feeling, Age of Heroes delivers on action and adventure, particularly for war movie fans.
Overall Consensus: A decent but flawed war movie with good action and acting, but suffers from a low budget and rushed ending.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Age of Heroes is based on the real-life events surrounding the formation of Ian Fleming’s 30 Commando unit during World War II, a precursor to modern elite forces like the SAS.”
- “The film aims to depict a more realistic and gritty portrayal of British commando operations during the war, moving away from the more glamorous depictions often seen in classic war films.”
- “Actual British commandos worked on the project as consultants and played members of the SS, ensuring realistic details of warfare were included.”
🖥️ How to Watch Age of Heroes?
As of October 2024, “Age of Heroes” is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Unfortunately, it is not currently available on major streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Age of Heroes, you might like these similar films:
- The Dirty Dozen (1967): Both films feature a group of misfit soldiers undertaking a dangerous mission behind enemy lines during World War II.
- Where Eagles Dare (1968): Similar to ‘Age of Heroes,’ it’s a classic World War II action film involving a daring commando raid in enemy territory.
- The Heroes of Telemark (1965): Deals with the sabotage of a heavy water plant in Nazi-occupied Norway, sharing a similar setting and theme of resistance.
🛒 Age of Heroes Related Products
- Where Eagles Dare [Blu-ray]: A classic WWII action film with a similar ‘men on a mission’ theme, offering a high-budget, star-studded alternative.
- The SAS: The Authorised History: Explore the real history of the SAS, the elite British special forces unit, to learn about the historical context of the film.
- Call of Duty: WWII [PlayStation 4]: Immerse yourself in a realistic WWII experience with intense combat and historical settings.
- WWII British Commando Dagger Replica: A replica of the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife issued to British Commandos during WWII, a symbol of their courage and skill.
🎧 Soundtrack
Age of Heroes features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Age of Heroes Theme” – performed by Michael Richard Plowman
- “Norwegian Journey” – performed by Michael Richard Plowman
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, “Age of Heroes” is loosely based on the real-life events surrounding the formation of Ian Fleming’s 30 Commando unit during World War II. While the film takes creative liberties, it draws inspiration from actual historical events.
The main mission involves a commando unit being sent to Nazi-occupied Norway to destroy a German radar station and steal its technology. The operation, codenamed ‘Grendel,’ aims to disrupt German communications and gather intelligence.
“Age of Heroes” was filmed in various locations, including Gravesend and Kent in England, as well as Ålgård, Rogaland, and Telemark in Norway, capturing the snowy and mountainous landscapes crucial to the story.
🔥 Bonus Content
MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE!: AGE OF HEROES
Ever wondered what the ‘Age of Heroes’ would look like in a live arena show? This video gives you a front-row seat to the spectacle – the effects are surprisingly cool!
Disney 365 spotlight on Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes
Want a peek behind the curtain of the ‘Age of Heroes’ live show? Check out this short Disney 365 spotlight – it’s a quick and fun look at how they brought the heroes to life on stage!
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