Review of Soldier of Orange (1977) by Stuart K — 19 Jun 2012
Paul Verhoeven was a brilliant filmmaker in Holland long before he went to Hollywood, and with this one, he touched upon a very personal subject, World War II, something he lived through in Nazi-occupied Holland as a boy.
This film is a remarkable true story, and it makes you wonder why Paul Verhoeven doesn't do more films like this?? He shows great confidence with historical tales. This one focuses on one corner of the Dutch Resistance, fighting against the Nazi's, in particular a group of young Dutch students who include Erik Lanshof (Rutger Hauer), Guus LeJeune (Jeroen Krabbà (C)), Jan Weinberg (Huib Rooymans), Alex (Derek de Lint).
and Robby Froost (Eddy Habbema). The film shows Erik and Guus travelling to London, where Holland's Queen Wilhelmina (Andrea Domburg), is living in exile. They work in co-operation with Colonel Rafelli (Edward Fox) for the Allied Forces, trying to help bring down Nazi occupation in Holland, all for Queen and Country.
It's an exciting and entertaining film, capturing the era well. and it is serious with it's subject matter, (of course, knowing Verhoeven, there is the odd splash of nudity and nasty violence here and there.
) Verhoeven touched upon the resistance again with the equally brilliant Black Book (2006), he should be making more films if they can be as strong and compelling as this.
This review of Soldier of Orange (1977) was written by Stuart K on 19 Jun 2012.
Soldier of Orange has generally received very positive reviews.
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