Plot
Near the end of World War II, 14-year-old Michiel becomes involved with the Resistance after coming to the aid of a wounded British soldier...
Release Year: 2008
Rating: 7.0/10 (4,515 voted)
Critic's Score: 66/100
Director:
Martin Koolhoven
Stars: Martijn Lakemeier, Jamie Campbell Bower, Yorick van Wageningen
Storyline Near the end of World War II, 14-year-old Michiel becomes involved with the Resistance after coming to the aid of a wounded British soldier. With the conflict coming to an end, Michiel comes of age and learns of the stark difference between adventure fantasy and the ugly realities of war.
Writers: Martin Koolhoven, Paul Jan Nelissen
Cast: Martijn Lakemeier
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Michiel
Yorick van Wageningen
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Oom Ben
Jamie Campbell Bower
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Jack
Raymond Thiry
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Johan
Melody Klaver
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Erica
Anneke Blok
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Lia
Mees Peijnenburg
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Dirk
Jesse van Driel
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Theo
Dan van Husen
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Auer
Ad van Kempen
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Schafter
Tygo Gernandt
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Bertus
Ben Ramakers
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Veerman
Tibo Vandenborre
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Duitse Soldaat Redding
Jens Roth
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Duitse Soldaat 1
Peter Eberst
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Duitse Soldaat 2
Taglines:
In 1945 Holland, a boy must choose between good and evil.
Opening Weekend: €332,082
(Netherlands)
(30 November 2008)
(95 Screens)
Gross: $542,860
(USA)
(31 July 2011)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
Was voted best Dutch movie of 2008 by the Dutch Press.
Goofs:
Anachronisms:
When Michiel is cycling through the village, he passes a row of houses typical for the post-war resurrection era.
User Review
A boy growing up in WW2
Rating: 8/10
Tense, yet restrained movie about a boy who discovers that war is more
than just an exciting adventure.
When he finds the escaped pilot from a crashed British fighter plane,
lead character Michiel's first emotion is one of excitement.
Disappointed in his father's - the town mayor - seemingly lacking
resistance towards the German occupation forces he guards his find like
a coveted treasure.
It's his way to not only be part of the resistance but also to rebel
against his father who does not want Michiel to get into any kind of
trouble. Michiel wants to be like his live-in uncle Ben, who as a
smuggler is more like his concept of a resistance hero.
The story obviously centers on Michiel's attempts to get the British
pilot safely back to Britain, and this is presented in an exciting way
with plenty of thrills and narrow escapes. At the same time the
underlying theme of Michiel's growing up in extraordinary circumstances
is just as interesting. The changes in his character, his motivations
and his perception of the world around him are shown in a subtle and
convincing way.
Good directing and generally fine acting help move the story along
nicely, with both exciting action scenes and a realistic portrayal of
'normal' rural life during war time.
Director Martin Koolhoven successfully manages to balance all story
elements and underlying themes in a movie that is both accessible as a
straightforward adventure movie but offers some character driven themes
as well.
Only minor criticisms are the dialogue which at times is difficult to
understand (a common problem in Dutch movies) and the sometimes
excessive use of hand-held cameras.
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