Bene Cumb
Based on true events, the film provides a wide temporal overview of different destinies students of different ethnicities and background had to face during World War II. This big war ruined lots of relations and comprehensions, but unlike in Eastern-European countries, occupation and its consequences remained relatively short-time, and the confrontation was still on the so-called centre/right level. For example, fate of the Baltic nations was even more tragic and disruptive...Anyway, the film in question is well written, directed and played; names like Paul Verhoeven, Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbé are currently internationally known and appraised, before that they were active mostly in the local scene. Hauer and Krabbé are real character actors, having also distinctive appearance, not just cute face / gleaming smile so characteristic to many US counterparts. On the other hand, if necessary, they are also talented team players, merging well with background and co-performers; the latter are also strong and even, and the Brits and Germans are played by respective native-speakers.A powerful film, recommended to all those fond of war dramas.
einstein-29
This is one of those amazing war/adventure movies like The Great Escape, or Bridge on The River Kwai, or Stalag 17, that knocks your socks off.I have re-watched it several times over the years, and it never gets old.The action is good. The characters are interesting, and evolving through the film, and the production is very high quality.The characters speak Dutch, English, and German, giving the film a very authentic quality.Highly recommended!
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.
martijn-56
Although I am Dutch, I am not nationalistic when I say this is the very best of all war movies I have seen. Though not packed with overwhelming in battle action like Saving Private Ryan movies of our time, the spirit of people in war is depicted better than in any other I have seen. I simply see a group of young men together on a picture, and after the war that swept away many of them, there are only two men still alive: the hero of our story and the anti-hero, who did nothing. Yet, in the end, they raise their glass to the future. It makes you think: maybe all that matters is to stay alive, but I cannot help but feel a terrible loss for those, like Guus, who tried to make a difference and did not make it. It is up to man itself to believe what he wants to believe: just to survive, or live life in a proud way and die for a good cause? Nowhere in the universe it is written how it should be, and this movie shows this in a very good and neutral way. Sometimes I can agree with the somewhat cold Rutger Hauer character, to just survive, and I can understand the student in the end that did nothing in the war, but survived! Also, the people that went along with the Germans, you see it happen and somehow only in this movie they could be just like you and me and making the bad choice as we know it now. As a character of Sartre once said in The roads to freedom, one day is enough to find out whether you are a hero or a coward. Personally, I never got over that picture where all those young men were once alive, but no more. Especially Guus, one of the very best characters ever on the screen, brilliantly depicted by Jeroen Krabbe - I still hate Paul Verhoeven, and the War for not allowing him to make it to peace! A must see!
AD
