WW2 Drama
- Black Book review by CP Customer
An interesting new twist on the WW2 drama, viewed from the perspective of the Dutch. The lead character is a Dutch Jew who narrowly escapes being murdered after a fellow Dutchman turns her family over to the Nazis. She gets involved with the Resistance and some risky missions, including becoming the mistress of a high ranking Nazi officer. As the Netherlands is liberated things get very dangerous and the betrayal and assumptions made by the Dutch, the Nazis and the British become clear. The film is unusual in that it slips into several languages, although most is in Dutch with English subtitles. I was surprised at the choice of Paul Verhoeven as director, given his usual material. There are some scenes of rather gratuitious nudity, although it is quite amusing seeing a porky Nazi officer prancing around with his todger out! A WW2 drama which is a bit different from the norm.
5 out of 7 members found this review helpful.
A dark tale
- Black Book review by CP Customer
An interesting film about the last months of WW2 seen from the Netherlands, but it could have been any occupied country in Europe, where some people decided to work with the enemy whereas others supported the resistance - and a few were on both sides. This is therefore a taut drama with different twists and surprises and not anyone is a "white" hero or a dark villain.
4 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
Spy Intrigue
- Black Book review by JD
This is about real spying, not your zip wire stuff but more exciting. Ordinary people doing desperate things to help end the war. How far would you go to protect your family or revenge their memory? It is also about the Dutch resistance and the plot is so thick you can't pour a glass of Advocat without getting lost.
2 out of 3 members found this review helpful.
Fast-moving dramatic thriller
- Black Book review by Alphaville
Wonderful, fast-paced adventure yarn about a Jewish woman aiding the resistance in WW2 Holland. It’s an epic saga crammed to overflowing with incident. Of course, as directed by Paul Verhoeven, expect nudity, torture and more surprises than in old-fashioned war films. It will certainly keep your eyes glued to the screen, constantly making you wonder what can possibly happen next (as long as you avoid the tell-all trailer). Another Verhoeven master-class in film-making.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Superb War Thriller
- Black Book review by GI
A gripping Second World War thriller and one of the best about resistance fighters. Set in Holland as the war is nearing its end it tells the story of Rachel (Carice van Houten) who as a Jew has been in hiding since the German occupation. She is offered a chance, with her family, to escape west towards the advancing allies but they are betrayed. Rachel manages to escape and joins the resistance where she is tasked with getting close to the head of the German Security Police, Müntze (Sebastian Koch) to find out information. But she soon finds that there is double cross, betrayal and not everyone can be trusted. This is a fantastic war film that has espionage, action and twist and turns in the plot so you never know who is on who's side. Like all of director Paul Verhoeven's films it pushes the boundaries at times in particular in it's sex scenes and some of the violence is graphic. But it's a great story, fast paced and a plot that hooks you in. If you like a good war film this is worth your time.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Engrossing
- Black Book review by NA
An intriguing and engrossing film with more twists than a Hitchcock thriller with excellent performances of truly believable characters
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Gritty realism plus adventure
- Black Book review by HM
Based on a true story? Well it is one heck of a story. War time resistance fighters in Holland continue to harass the Nazis during the last months of the war, but have a double agent amongst them; maybe. A Jewish girl joins the fighters and agrees to infiltrate Nazi HQ. Unexpected romance blossoms along the way amidst a plot containing corruption and betrayal on all sides.
The movie is a thriller and a slice of the underbelly of war. Action scenes are well done and realistic. Great entertainment but a reminder/education as to what some brave people got up to during wartime occupation.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Dutch Resistance
- Black Book review by NO
Excellent Film even though it kept stopping but I managed to see it all.Good story,very realistic & nice performances from unknown
actors.Brief nudity but in context & action scenes well done.I will have to see Verhoeven,s other films.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Action-Packed
- Black Book review by CV
I wonder if characters or incidents have been conflated to make such an action-packed war drama if this is to be a real-life episode. It shows the treachery of people of several nations. Would the victorious occupying Allied forces have allowed the Germans arms to enact a firing squad? Seems doubtful. Well, lots of action, but some sequences seemed contrived.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.