GrimPrecise I'll tell you why so serious

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.

szlagy-22629 First of all, I think his movie is one of the greatest historical films I had ever watched. The depiction of Michiel de Ruyter as a man, and military leader is great, and the battle scenes are one of the greatest I had ever watched in a movie. But I still missing something from it. Something which would had underline the greateness and humanism of Michiel de Ruyter even more. In 1670's in the Hungarian lands occupied by the Habsburgs, the Catholic inquisition supported by these, started a persecution of the Hungarian Protestant preachers. They brought before religious court around 700 preachers, and declared that they muss convert to Catholicism. Many of them converted to Catholicism in order to escape the harsh punishment, but around 100 declared that they will keep their religions no matter what happens. So the Habsburg court condemned them to galley slavery, and sent them to Italy in order to be sold as slaves on galleys, to row until death. On the way to Italy these people were tortured and only around 30 arrived to southern Italy, the rest dyed. At that moment, in 1674, Michiel de Ruyter was on his final trip to the Mediterranean see, and found out about the fate of these people, and that they are about to be sold as galley-slaves. So he payed their ransom and liberated them, saving their lives, because certainly no one from them would had escaped thecertain death from the torture on the galleys. So it is weird that this movie does not say anything about the liberation of these people by Michiel de Ruyter, which would had underlined the greatness of this man even more! I think that the director of the movie did not knew about this event. And that is a little sad...

Arturo S Suarez-Silverio I award this movie only nine stars because nothing man-made, including this review, has been proved to be perfect so far. But "Admiral" is as close to perfection as it gets. Frank Lammers, cast as Michiel de Ruyter, is up to this challenging role. He leads the fleet of the Dutch Republic, a confederation of seven often quarreling provinces or states, against the powerful fleet of the British empire. He is an inspiring commander and a doting husband and father. He is a military tactician of the first order and a soldier's soldier. The lovely Sanne Langelar, cast as his wife and as the mother of his three children, has just as much integrity and valor as he does. When in the middle of the night a multitudinous, violent mob bent on destruction swarms around the home where she lives with her children, she confronts them alone, wearing no greater protection than a nightgown. The supporting cast is outstanding and works well together to bring alive a dynamic period of Dutch history. The Republic's success in naval warfare didn't discourage her opponents, who combined against her. This turning of events is the tragic background for the convincing performance of Barry Atsma, cast as Johan de Witt, the "Grand Pensioner" of the Republic. He poignantly portrays the transient nature of success and its dangers. Under his stewardship, the Republic scored victories against the British crown. While he earned a measure of satisfaction, those victories bred factionalism and resentment at home. As de Witt, Atsma journeys from consummate optimism to soul-crushing self doubt. His loathsome end tinged with the stench of betrayal comes when the frontiers of the Republic buckle under the combined assault of her massed enemies. Lieke Van Lexmond is sumptuously seductive and wholesome in the role of his wife, Wendela. Egbert Jan Weeber, cast as Willem III, proves himself up to the demands of his "anti- hero" role, which requires him to be principled, conniving, and remorseful at different points. Charles Dance portrays British monarch Charles II as the avatar or British power, supremely disdainful towards anyone opposed to his designs, proving that he enjoyed a degree of impunity that de Witt, who was one defeat removed from being lynched, sorely lacked. Discussing the work of all the others who made the film possible would add excessive length to this review, whose point is pretty straightforward: go watch the movie!I'm sure that the true story of how a small nation like Holland survived and prospered in Europe is rich, complex, and full of lessons. "The Admiral" is a superb introduction to this subject.

Dude Dude Simply put, Admiral has the makings of an epic film. I was immediately drawn into the script like a great novel - not wanting to put it down or skip to the end. Naval tactics, politics, social networks, weaved together to create a monarchy basket. Good drama - check; music - check; acting - check; dry humor - check; graphics - check; cinematography - check; heroes - check; heroins - check; villains - check; emotional roller coaster - check; entertainment - check. Frankly, this is one of the few films I would not care to compare to historical facts or details. Thus no points to distract from good story telling. After all, good story telling taps into one's imagination unless one has no imagination. As de Ruyter states, "All ships are unsinkable - until they sink."

Bob Great story and how loyalty is horrifying.In all aspect perfect movie. Story, actors, acting, horror the pictures, dress, the setting.1. The strugle with England and the king there is great. It is in short a bit Games of Thrones. 2. Great story about Michiel de Ruyter and Johan de Wit. The horrorfying scenes how a crowed takes a man apart is shocking bit it gives an idea how things went. Maybe there will be a TV show with these fellows or a spin-off 3, because there is a lot to tell about Johan de Wit and the development of the Netherlands. Although not really highlighted the movie occurs in the V.O.C. and slavery setting. It was in the original scenes but removed before release. The dutch were very successful in international trading in that age and also busy with slave trading. Very curious about this material. 4. Great music supporting the battle and other emotional scenes, great soundtrack. 5. If you like Black Sail then you will like this movie too. Who knows this could be the opportunity to make a great international TV show about VOC, how the church had influence, development of slave workers and development of kingdoms.