The Assault (1986)

A Dutch doctor, haunted by grueling childhood memories of World War II, struggles to find peace as he spends his life looking for answers about the tragic night that shaped him.

Director:

Fons Rademakers

Writers:

Gerard Soeteman (scenario), Harry Mulisch (novel)

Stars:

Derek de Lint, Marc van Uchelen, Monique van de Ven

Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Derek de Lint	...	Anton Steenwijk
Marc van Uchelen	...	Young Anton Steenwijk
Monique van de Ven	...	Saskia de Graaff / Truus Coster
John Kraaijkamp Sr.	...	Cor Takes (as John Kraaykamp)
Huub van der Lubbe	...	Fake Ploeg
Elly Weller	...	Mrs. Beumer
Ina van der Molen	...	Karin Korteweg
Frans Vorstman	...	Father Steenwijk
Edda Barends	...	Mother Steenwijk
Casper de Boer	...	Peter Steenwijk
Wim de Haas	...	Mr. Korteweg
Hiske van der Linden	...	Young Karin Korteweg
Piet de Wijn	...	Mr. Beumer
Akkemay	...	Sandra
Kees Coolen	...	Gerrit-Jan

Storyline

In January 1945, during the 2nd world-war, the Dutch resistance kills a collaborator in the street where the 12 year old Anton Steenwijk lives. The man was shot in front of his neighbors house, but is moved by them to the house of the family Steenwijk. Because of this, his father, mother and brother are killed by the Germans, and their house is set to fire. During his life, Anton meets several people that tell him more about what really happened on the night of the assault.

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Plot Keywords:

resistance | world war two | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Derek de Lint played in two other Dutch WWII movies, Soldier of Orange (1977) and Black Book (2006).

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

Anton Steenwijk: My parents were innocent.
Fake Ploeg: My father was too!
Anton Steenwijk: I only know what I was told.
Fake Ploeg: Exactly.

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Connections

Featured in The 44th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1987)

User Reviews

excellent movie, but chance meetings are not credible

I found this movie to be very thought-provoking, particularly its insights into the experiences of the residents of Holland during the Nazi occupation.

One drawback in this movie was the totally incongruous chance meetings that Anton has with key individuals. e.g.: Ploeg's son just happens to be shoved into Anton's doorway during an anti-communist riot, Anton, while in a crowded cafe, just happens to be sitting right next to the man who shot Ploeg, and finally, in an anti-nuclear demonstration in which hundreds of people are marching, he just happens to be walking abreast of his long-ago next door neighbor!

Details

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch English German

Release Date:

6 February 1986 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

The Assault

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Box Office

Gross USA:

$512,403

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$512,403

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fons Rademakers Produktie

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min 155 min (general release) 112 min (VHS)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo Dolby Digital (5.1)

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1