Yes, Paul Verhoeven, before making Hollywood science fiction schlock (albeit entertaining) movies like Starship Troopers and Hollow Man, once made what are considered some of the Netherlands' classic films. Why he would give that up seems obvious as well as sad. (What sells more tickets?) This is his first Dutch movie I've seen.
Soldier of Orange is a story of university students caught in the wake of the Nazi invasion during World War II. Once friends, some join the resistance or attempt to sneak out Jews, others join forces with the Germans. Soldier of Orange is a panoramic, epic kind of movie that attempts to address history in a gritty, realistic way. It doesn't shy away from what's real- nudity and sexuality, graphic violence or bodily functions (a Dutch traitor is using an outhouse when a boy throws a grenade in). Themes of friendship, betrayal and sacrifice are apparent.
This is a movie of solid production values and competent storytelling, which is never boring. Conversely, although two and a half hours long, it feels like it skips over or speeds through some of the history- we see the end of the war, but not much of the liberation process, and we've gone from 1944 to 1945 before you know it. Still, for an interesting perspective on World War II in the Netherlands (besides that of the foreign liberators or Anne Frank), this is a film definitely worth a look.
Soldier of Orange is a story of university students caught in the wake of the Nazi invasion during World War II. Once friends, some join the resistance or attempt to sneak out Jews, others join forces with the Germans. Soldier of Orange is a panoramic, epic kind of movie that attempts to address history in a gritty, realistic way. It doesn't shy away from what's real- nudity and sexuality, graphic violence or bodily functions (a Dutch traitor is using an outhouse when a boy throws a grenade in). Themes of friendship, betrayal and sacrifice are apparent.
This is a movie of solid production values and competent storytelling, which is never boring. Conversely, although two and a half hours long, it feels like it skips over or speeds through some of the history- we see the end of the war, but not much of the liberation process, and we've gone from 1944 to 1945 before you know it. Still, for an interesting perspective on World War II in the Netherlands (besides that of the foreign liberators or Anne Frank), this is a film definitely worth a look.