Soldier Of Orange
"A Superb War Epic!" -Newsweek
Holland, 1940: The German army invades the Netherlands, and a nation suddenly finds itself under Nazi occupation. What follows is one of the most controversial periods in European wartime history as the Dutch are torn between collaboration and resistance. But for six young college students, the choices they make will irreparably change the fate of their homeland as their lives become an epic adventure of courage, betrayal and survival.
Based on the best-selling memoir by Dutch war hero Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, Soldier Of Orange became the international breakthrough film for director Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct, Robocop) and stars Rutger Hauer (Turkish Delight, Blade Runner) and Jeroen Krabbe (The Fourth Man, The Fugitive), and is still considered by critics worldwide to be one of the most powerful war films ever made.
Member Reviews
Being Dutch Would Help - Stitch
Not that the subtitles were inaccurate or bothersome but this production would I suspect most appeal to an audience with some connection to Holland, the actual events, or the people involved. To be moved by tragic events, one has to connect to at least some of the protagonists and here I found it dfficult to do so. We just didn't get to know any one individual quite that well. Certainly awareness of language nuances would help, so this critique might very well be less applicable to Dutch speakers.
It can be summarized as a derring-do war story with some love interest (and frontal nudity) thrown in. Granted a few scenes added some clever nuance ('hot pants' squishing flies) but for the life of me I couldn't quite figure out the intent. She was a nut case? Or what? And the British officer affectations bordered on caricature. Same for the Gestapo. Brutal, yes. Consistently cleverly sardonic? Maybe a bit overdone.
One small scene I very much enjoyed involved Queen Wilhelmina’s aside to her aide at the end of war where she was about to enter her 'home'. The aside may have been fiction but Dutch historians will attest it well represented her feelings..she loathed the castle. Also, I felt her portrayal by Andrea Domberg was the most sympathetic and realistic of the entire cast. A minor role but an understated and much appreciated performance.
The overall impact was solid and in particular the collaboration--justification and resolution--was cleverly and sensitively handled. My only caveat is that at times some aspects of the broader story are presented just a little simplistically. Maybe a little less would have been more.
But if you have an interest in the role of the Resistance in Holland, this film will give you a reasonably sound perspective. So on reflection I have upped my recommendation to three stars. Enjoy, with reservations.
Member Reviews
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Being Dutch Would Help - Stitch
Not that the subtitles were inaccurate or bothersome but this production would I suspect most appeal to an audience with some connection to Holland, the actual events, or the people involved. To be moved by tragic events, one has to connect to at least some ...