For a Lost Soldier (1992)

Set in The Netherlands at the end of WW II, this touching story, told in flashbacks, explores the complex and romantic relationship between an adult soldier and a displaced, lonely adolescent boy.

Director:

Roeland Kerbosch

Writers:

Don Bloch, Rudi van Dantzig (novel)

Stars:

Maarten Smit, Andrew Kelley, Jeroen Krabbé

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maarten Smit	...	Jeroen Boman - jong
Jeroen Krabbé	...	Jeroen Boman - oud
Andrew Kelley	...	Walt Cook
Freark Smink	...	Hait
Elsje de Wijn	...	Mem
Derk-Jan Kroon	...	Jan
Wiendelt Hooijer	...	Henk
Iris Misset	...	Bonden
Gineke de Jager	...	Elly
Tatum Dagelet	...	Gertie
Marie-José Kouwenhoven	...	Renske
Valerie Valentine	...	Laura
William Sutton	...	Chuck
Andrew Butling	...	Buikspreker
Andrew Cassani	...	Winslow

Storyline

The story of a romantic relationship between a grown-up and a child. Set in the Netherlands near the end of WWII, the film is a flashback recalling an adolescent relationship between Jeroen and a Canadian soldier. A difficult subject handled with style and feeling.

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Plot Keywords:

netherlands | canadian | man boy relationship | gay sex | intergenerational friendship | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the truck, when Gertie soils herself, one of the boys says that from now on she will be known as "Dirty Girtie." However, although this rhymes when spoken in English, the characters where speaking Dutch, with English subtitles shown, and it does not rhyme in Dutch, which is clearly what was intended for humorous effect.

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Quotes

Walt Cook: I love you... my prince. You're mine.

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Connections

References Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

User Reviews

A very interesting film

I have watched this film many times and I recently viewed it again. The only really interesting part of the movie is the relationship between the young boy and the soldier. Everything else that happens in the film is really just to establish why this young man would be drawn to someone kind and caring. What I wish would have been delved into more was how the soldier came to feel the way he does about the kid. He talks a little about his past with his father and mother but never really explains himself personally. He does not look like he would have ever had a problem getting a girl, so his "prediliction" becomes even more a mystery.

I really applaud the fact that the film maker was able to tell this story so sensitively without it being lurid. It is a shame I think that a film like this could never have been made in America, "the land of the free".

Details

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch German English Eastern Frisian

Release Date:

7 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

For a Lost Soldier

Box Office

Gross USA:

$386,329

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sigma Film Productions, Algemene Vereniging Radio Omroep (AVRO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color Black and White (newsreel archive footage)