Artivels Undescribable Perfection

Lawbolisted Powerful

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Bluebell Alcock Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

appeleitje Let me start by saying that this brilliant movie is not just some war movie to The Dutch. Every year this movie is on Dutch TV at "Dodenherdenking" (Remembrance of the Fallen in WWII) on the fourth of May.Although the theme is typical Verhoeven, with a protagonist and an antagonist who both deserve our empathy, Soldier of Orange is actually based on the autobiographic book "Soldaat van Oranje" by Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema. The story is about a fraternity at Leiden University. Each student follows a different path and therefore has a different role in World War II, either as a collaborator or in the resistance.The film begins with an original newsreel about the return of Queen Wilhelmina accompanied by Erik, the protagonist of the movie played by Rutger Hauer (Nighthawks, Blade Runner). They're landing in the Netherlands from London shortly after World War II. After that the film starts in the late 1930s in Leiden, where freshmen undergo the humiliation of the initiation rites of their fraternity and the drama unfolds.Those who don't know the book will think that this movie is full of Verhoeven's trademarks: explicit violence and sex and social satire, but these scenes are personal memoirs of the writer. Also director Paul Verhoeven is strongly influenced by this time in history. Verhoeven's family home was located near a German military base, which was repeatedly bombed by allied forces. From this period Verhoeven remembers images of violence, burning houses, dead bodies on the street, and continuous danger. Impressions he used later on in several of his fantasy and drama movies.What more can I say about this movie that hasn't been said on this forum? It combines action, adventure and personal drama with the looks of a huge budget film like The Longest Day but even better, because it connects people to the real life characters. Last but not least this movie has a beautiful music score and its own funny moments. Watch f.e. the weird Tango scene (Danse Macabre) with the protagonist and the antagonist who is played by Derek the Lint (The Unbearable Lightness of Being).This movie has a nostalgic feel, but if you don't like old movies or you can't get a copy of Soldier of Orange, I strongly recommend Verhoeven's "Black Book" (2007). More or less the remake with Carice van Houten (Game of Thrones).

jvdesuit1 Paul Verhoeven has made an excellent movie, the script is interesting and the actors are very good.The main reproach I'll do to this production is in the first place to fall in the actual pit of thinking that the more you put realistic and gore shots in a movie, the better it is. We all know what the Gestapo's murderers and torturers were capable of doing to their victims. Is it necessary to see those acts of pure sadistic behavior? Absolutely not. They bring nothing to action. The same applies to the first scene with students dinner.The second reproach is that some situations which I'm absolutely sure could not occur in the relations between Erik Lanshof and Susan as well as his friend Guus.I doubt that in real situation Susan as a secretary of a high ranking officer like Colonel Rafelli, would have intimate relationships with his subordinates. Her familiarity in the presence of her superior is quite impossible. Moreover in the 40s women in these jobs were very cautious and rather prudish. I doubt also that those guys would have such disrespectful conducts before the Queen of Holland, with crude language etc. Many scenes could have been suppressed which would have shortened the movie which is much too long(2h35 minutes); this would have given a more dynamic movie.

Lee Eisenberg In "Soldaat van Oranje" (called "Soldier of Orange" in English), Paul Verhoeven brilliantly tells the story of several Dutch students resisting the Nazi occupation. One of the really interesting aspects is life before the war. We see the college cafeteria, where the students abuse Erik Lanshof (Rutger Hauer). But after the invasion, everyone sees their duty to defend the Netherlands.All in all, I think that most people would have to agree that Paul Verhoeven's movies in his native Holland were just better (he's made some good ones here, but they have all been popcorn movies). This is certainly one to see. Also starring Jeroen Krabbe and Derek de Lint.For the record, I've heard that for many years after WWII, it was considered rude to speak German in the Netherlands. I don't doubt it.

sabjur a movie about world war II it seems to be the best dutch movie of all time. in mine opinion the best dutch movie ever have been made. with a lot of humor, good acting and a real life story.