Ondt blod

Ondt blod stokes the fire of harsh realism, but how likely is it really that two officers would take five of the most hardened prison inmates on a week-long wilderness trip to a desolate island in Sweden? The very premise creaks a little, then, but otherwise Ondt blod has many qualities, not least its at times nerve-racking plot and its immediate, realistic acting.

The policeman Lasse has made many of these trips with young petty criminals to whom he wanted to lend a helping hand, but the prison management balks when Lasse wants to take five hardcore inmates along. Lasse does get his permission, however, on condition that he takes another officer on the trip, Bentson.

Lasse's well-meaning outstretched hand does not go down well with the long-term prisoner Dan, who, together with a couple of the other criminals, rebels. At first it is a quiet counter-demonstration, but in the end it turns into violence. One is almost reminded of "Lord of the Flies". Lasse's good will is not always matched by equally good teaching skills, which is one of the reasons things go as badly wrong as they do. Yes, one understands the prison management's reluctance about the arrangement. Ondt blod has a nasty ending that comes as no surprise, but shocks nevertheless.