Mein Kriegswinter (2008)

In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands, a teenage boy gets involved in the Dutch Resistance after coming to the aid of a wounded RAF pilot.

Director:

Martin Koolhoven

Writers:

Mieke de Jong (screenplay), Martin Koolhoven (screenplay)

Stars:

Martijn Lakemeier, Jamie Campbell Bower, Yorick van Wageningen

10 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martijn Lakemeier	...	Michiel
Yorick van Wageningen	...	Oom Ben
Jamie Campbell Bower	...	Jack
Raymond Thiry	...	Johan
Melody Klaver	...	Erica
Anneke Blok	...	Lia
Mees Peijnenburg	...	Dirk
Jesse van Driel	...	Theo
Dan van Husen	...	Auer
Ad van Kempen	...	Schafter
Tygo Gernandt	...	Bertus
Ben Ramakers	...	Veerman
Tibo Vandenborre	...	Duitse Soldaat Redding
Jens Roth	...	Duitse Soldaat 1
Peter Eberst	...	Duitse Soldaat 2

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.

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Plot Keywords:

uncle nephew relationship | horse | resistance movement | occupation | nazi | 

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Taglines:

In 1945 Holland, a boy must choose between good and evil.

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Netherlands]

Country:

Netherlands Belgium

Language:

English German Dutch

Release Date:

27 November 2008 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Mein Kriegswinter

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Box Office

Budget:

€4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$14,937 (USA) (18 March 2011)

Gross:

$542,860 (USA) (29 July 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Isabella Films B.V., Fu Works, Isabella Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the shot of the marketplace seen through the bell tower, the bell tower was a digital effect since no such building was present there.

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Goofs

When the boy gets home and opens the back door you can see the strips double layered isolation window glass.

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Connections

References A Man Called Blade (1977)

User Reviews

A young boy is forced to grow up quickly...

14 year-old Michiel lives in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation in the latter part of WWII. Although he's still only a kid, he happens upon a downed British flier and bravely decides to help him--even though the expedient thing would have been to stay out of this. To complicate things, Michiel's father is the local mayor--and a man who has long tried to appease his Nazi overlords. What is the boy to do?

The film is excellent in every way. Martijn Lakemeier did a great job in the leading role and the film was a quality production throughout. I also appreciated it because the film was very difficult to predict. Sure, you know the Nazis would lose and the war would be over in only a few months--but there were so many twists and turns in the film that it kept me guessing. It helped that this was not a 'happily ever after' sort of family film but a gritty one that was about a boy who needed to grow up very, very fast and make some very adult things. Well worth seeing and a decent film for the family despite its R-rating.