During World War II, Dutch students join the resistance movement against the German occupation of the Netherlands.During World War II, Dutch students join the resistance movement against the German occupation of the Netherlands.During World War II, Dutch students join the resistance movement against the German occupation of the Netherlands.
- Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations
Reinhard Kolldehoff
- Geisman
- (as René Kolldehoff)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe explosions in this movie were provided not by special effects technicians, but by the Dutch Marines. In his DVD commentary on this movie, director Paul Verhoeven states that the explosive charges were held in place with metal. When one of the charges was set off, it blew the metal to bits. One of the flying fragments nearly killed Rutger Hauer.
- GoofsWhen Guus goes to Holland for the first time to instruct the resistance group, he is walking in the street with his transmitter in a trunk and in the street he passes a window which displays a poster which says "staking brengt alleen ellende over uw eigen volk". This instruction (which Guus gives) in the movie takes place in 1942, but this poster wasn't issued by the Germans before the winter 1944-1945 as it refers to the great train strike in the winter of 44-45.
- Quotes
Geisman: Did you write that?
Erik Lanshof: Sir, yes sir.
Geisman: What did you write that with?
Erik Lanshof: Sir, with shit, sir.
- Alternate versionsThe German video version released in 1988 was heavily cut for about 35 min., in 2007 this film was finally released uncut in Germany as part of the "Paul Verhoeven-Klassiker Edition".
Featured review
An exciting, true story
This is the self-penned true story of the Dutch war hero Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, and his college friends from Leiden who endured the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and, who eventually, lived to see the Liberation. Some of his friends were not so lucky. The best version of this picture to see is the original version, in Dutch, German and English, with literally-translated subtitles. The dubbed-English version, particularly the one released in the U.S., is HORRIBLE! The most-commonly available subtitled version is one that has only the script of the dubbed version as subtitles, some of which don't make any sense. Beware this version! This is a great film, with stellar performances, most notably those of Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbe'. Derek de Lint (Alex) is also magnificent as the Dutch youth of German descent who joins the SS-volunteers. The scene where Erik and Alex meet by chance at the Scheveningen dance-hall after Alex's return from the Russian front (the tango scene) is wonderfully done! The most touching part is set in May, 1945 at the moment of the Liberation. The part where Queen Wilhelmina steps onto Dutch soil after a five-year absence is an extremely emotional one. Don't miss this film, for it is the best one told about the Dutch view of the war, and will make you shout "Oranje Boven!" even if you aren't Dutch! Highly recommended!!
helpful•283
- Lee-65
- Jan 15, 1999
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Borba na zivot i smrt
- Filming locations
- Noordwijk, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands(Hotel Huis Ter Duin and beach)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- NLG 5,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 45 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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