It was the highest-grossing film of 2012 in Norway and the country's most expensive production to date. Although Heyerdahl did refer to "treacherous eddies" near the Galapagos, his chief worry there was that "strong ocean currents" could sweep the raft back towards Central America. [1][2][3] However, there is evidence of some geneflow from South America to Easter Island. Part of the problem was the lead, Pal Sverre Hagen; while he wasn't necessarily bad, he didn't come close to embodying Heyerdahl's impressive zeal, good humor, and leadership qualities. It is the longest-known raft voyage in history. The role of Thor Heyerdahl is played by Pål Sverre Hagen. [14], While much of the story is historically accurate, screenwriter Petter Skavlan and director Joachim Rønning both felt the need to make the story more exciting for their two-hour feature film. "[31], Andrew Barker of Variety notes that some may take issue with the artistic license the filmmakers took in dramatizing some of the characters and events of the voyage, but describes the film overall as "a visually impeccable, professionally crafted modern vessel that lacks any of the patched-together soul of its subject". He described these "Tiki people" as being a sun-worshiping fair-skinned people with blue eyes, fair or red hair, tall statures, and beards. It was directed by Heyerdahl and edited by Olle Nordemar. In Heyerdahl’s 1950 Kon-Tiki, Across the Pacific by Raft —a lively chronicle that sold more than 50 million copies and was translated into nearly 70 … [47], A French seafarer, Éric de Bisschop, committed himself in a project he had had for some years: he built a Polynesian raft in order to cross the eastern Pacific Ocean from Tahiti to Chile (contrary to Thor Heyerdahl's crossing); the Tahiti-Nui left Papeete with a crew of five on November 8, 1956. Éric de Bisschop died in this accident. Kon-Tiki had a six-man crew, all of whom were Norwegian except for Bengt Danielsson, a Swede.[5]. The illustration is actually artist Harry Clarke's 1919 illustration for Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "A Descent Into the Maelström", a fictional account of a whirlpool in Norwegian waters. [16], Kon-Tiki left Callao, Peru, on the afternoon of April 28, 1947. [27][32][33] Hōkūleʻa also remains fully operational, and has since completed ten other voyages, including a three-year circumnavigation of the planet from 2014 to 2017, with other sister ships. Some versions are 124 minutes and include these special features: Thor Heyerdahl : Explorer & Scientist, Photo Gallery, Expedition Map, and Rare Color Footage. [48], A second Tahiti-Nui was built in Constitución, Chile, leaving on April 13, 1958, towards Callao, then towards the Marquesas. The raft was partially decked in split bamboo. He built the Kon-Tiki Balsa raft in Peru. [20], The film has the crew worrying about getting sucked into "the Galapagos maelstrom", with a book shown that purportedly illustrates the maelstrom. The raft was named Kon-Tiki after the Inca god Viracocha, for whom "Kon-Tiki" was said to be an old name. [24] The film also shows the crew only getting access to valuable US military equipment once they have arrived in Peru and are building the raft, whereas Heyerdahl in fact arranged for the equipment at a visit to the Pentagon before traveling to Peru. [24], The basis of the Kon-Tiki expedition is pseudoscientific, racially controversial, and has not gained acceptance among scientists (even prior to the voyage). Kon-Tiki. But the crew 's first sight of land was the highest-grossing film of 2012 in Norway the. ] after the Inca sun god meters tall, hit the rafts similar! The record of Thor Heyerdahl the kon-tiki expedition movie was directed by Joachim Rønning and Sandberg! 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