Der Soldat von Oranien (1977)

During World War II, Dutch students join the resistance movement against the German occupation of The Netherlands.

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writers:

Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema (book), Kees Holierhoek

Stars:

Rutger Hauer, Jeroen Krabbé, Susan Penhaligon

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rutger Hauer	...	Erik Lanshof
Jeroen Krabbé	...	Guus LeJeune
Susan Penhaligon	...	Susan
Edward Fox	...	Colonel Rafelli
Lex van Delden	...	Nico
Derek de Lint	...	Alex
Huib Rooymans	...	Jan Weinberg
Dolf de Vries	...	Jack Ten Brinck
Eddy Habbema	...	Robby Froost
Belinda Meuldijk	...	Esther
Peter Faber	...	Will Dostgaarde
Rijk de Gooyer	...	Gestapo-man Breitner
Paul Brandenburg	...	SS Lt. Thelen
Ward de Ravet	...	Resistance Leader
Bert Struys	...	Resistance Leader

Storyline

This film depicts World War II through the eyes of several Dutch students. It follows them through the beginning of the war, the Nazi occupation and the liberation.

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Plot Keywords:

dutch resistance | nazi | local blockbuster | jew | 1940s | 

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Taglines:

They began and ended with a toast. In between was one hell of a war.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Thriller | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The song that Erik Lanshof (Rutger Hauer) sings while soup is being poured on his head is called "Terang Bulan", which, in 1963, became the national anthem of Malaysia. It is forbidden now in Malaysia to be used for any other purpose, whereas in the 1930s and 40s, it was a popular song in The Netherlands and elsewhere.

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Goofs

The harbor minesweepers have post-war NATO registration numbers.

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Quotes

Colonel Rafelli: [gives Gus a cyanide pill]
Colonel Rafelli: Should anything go wrong, cyanide.
Gus: [joking] What flavor? Orange or lemon?
Colonel Rafelli: [humored] Most amusing.

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Alternate Versions

The 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".

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Connections

Featured in Sneak Previews: Soldier of Orange/The Human Factor/Coal Miner's Daughter/The Europeans (1980)

User Reviews

Certainly worth viewing

This film hit a grand slam by successfully achieving all of the things I hope for in a movie: it entertained me, it educated me, it charmed me, and it provoked me. I have lived in the Netherlands and love the Dutch people, so I was happy to view this film and see many familiar sites and understand some of the Dutch dialogue. It provided me with a sense of deja vu. I also learned things about the Dutch World War II experience that I previously was unaware of. The vast majority of the world only has one thought when it comes to WWII and the Dutch: Anne Frank. It's heartening to watch a film that explores many other facets of the Dutch experience during occupation, and that doesn't promote an all-rosy view wherein everyone is heroic. It is a realistic film that showed the complications of war and occupation, the desire for self-survival, the limits of patriotism, the fragility of war-time romances, and the bravery and sacrifices that some, but not all, are willing to exhibit. My heart was in my throat many times as I wondered what would happen and, although the movie is almost two and a half hours, I was sorry to see it end.

Details

Country:

Netherlands Belgium

Language:

Dutch English German

Release Date:

22 September 1977 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Der Soldat von Oranien

Filming Locations:

's-Gravenhage, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

Box Office

Budget:

NLG5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Excelsior Films, Film Holland, Rob Houwer Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

155 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1