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Black Book

Original title: Zwartboek
  • 20062006
  • RR
  • 2h 25m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
78K
YOUR RATING
Carice van Houten, Michiel Huisman, and Sebastian Koch in Black Book (2006)
Theatrical Trailer from Sony Pictures Classics
Play trailer1:54
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaThrillerWar
In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
78K
YOUR RATING
    • Paul Verhoeven
    • Gerard Soeteman
    • Paul Verhoeven
  • Stars
    • Carice van Houten
    • Sebastian Koch
    • Thom Hoffman
    • Paul Verhoeven
    • Gerard Soeteman
    • Paul Verhoeven
  • Stars
    • Carice van Houten
    • Sebastian Koch
    • Thom Hoffman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 274User reviews
    • 232Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award

    Videos1

    Black Book
    Trailer 1:54
    Watch Black Book

    Photos126

    Black Book (2006)
    Carice van Houten in Black Book (2006)
    Carice van Houten and Michiel Huisman in Black Book (2006)
    Carice van Houten in Black Book (2006)
    Carice van Houten and Sebastian Koch in Black Book (2006)
    Sebastian Koch in Black Book (2006)
    Waldemar Kobus in Black Book (2006)
    Carice van Houten and Michiel Huisman in Black Book (2006)
    Thom Hoffman and Carice van Houten in Black Book (2006)
    Carice van Houten and Sebastian Koch in Black Book (2006)
    Waldemar Kobus and Halina Reijn in Black Book (2006)
    Thom Hoffman in Black Book (2006)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Carice van Houten
    Carice van Houten
    • Rachel Stein…
    Sebastian Koch
    Sebastian Koch
    • Ludwig Müntze
    Thom Hoffman
    Thom Hoffman
    • Hans Akkermans
    Halina Reijn
    Halina Reijn
    • Ronnie
    Waldemar Kobus
    Waldemar Kobus
    • Günther Franken
    Derek de Lint
    Derek de Lint
    • Gerben Kuipers
    Christian Berkel
    Christian Berkel
    • Gen. Käutner
    Dolf de Vries
    • Wim Smaal - Notary
    Peter Blok
    Peter Blok
    • Van Gein
    Michiel Huisman
    Michiel Huisman
    • Rob
    Ronald Armbrust
    • Tim Kuipers
    Frank Lammers
    Frank Lammers
    • Kees
    Matthias Schoenaerts
    Matthias Schoenaerts
    • Joop
    Johnny de Mol
    Johnny de Mol
    • Theo
    Xander Straat
    • Maarten
    Diana Dobbelman
    • Mrs. Smaal
    Rixt Leddy
    • Anny
    Lidewij Mahler
    • Linda
      • Paul Verhoeven
      • Gerard Soeteman
      • Paul Verhoeven
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Most actors speak more than one language in the film. Carice van Houten speaks four languages fluently in the course of the film: Hebrew in the scenes in Israel, German with Nazi soldiers, English with Canadian army personnel and Dutch for the majority of the film.
    • Goofs
      A torch is used to cut the hinges off of a metal door during the rescue scene. When the door is removed, it is handled right next to the cut hinge. In reality, the metal would be so hot it would be impossible to handle without serious injury.
    • Quotes

      Rachel Stein aka Ellis de Vries: I never knew this would happen. To fear the liberation...

    • Connections
      Edited into Zwartboek: The Special (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Ich bin die fesche Lola
      Music by Friedrich Hollaender (as Friedrich Hollaender)

      Lyrics by Robert Liebmann

      Performed by Carice van Houten

      (c) 1930 by Ufaton-verlagsgesellschaft mbH (BMG Music Publishing Germany), Munich

    User reviews274

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Sometimes, You Have to Hide in Plain Sight...
    Who said that they don't make films like they used to? A couple of weeks ago, I declared that "The Departed" was the best film of 2006. Last week, I replaced the Scorsese epic with Sofia Coppola's luscious biopic of "Marie Antoinette". I never would have guessed that Paul Verhoeven (Yes, the Paul Verhoeven who directed "Total Recall", "Basic Instinct" & "Showgirls"!!!) would challenge them both with a gripping, edge-of-your-seat World War II yarn.

    I use the old-fashioned term, yarn, because "Black Book" is very much a film that feels like it was made decades ago. The lush visuals, orchestral music, European styling, wartime romanticism and cliffhanging chapters all add a certain 1950's charm to the white-knuckle plot. One gets the feeling that the ghosts of Gregory Peck, Hedy Lamarr, Ava Gardner, Spencer Tracy & Jean Harlow are embodying the cast of this classic espionage drama.

    The film begins in 1956 with Rachel Steinn, a school teacher at an Israeli kibbutz, being accidentally found by an old acquaintance, who is on vacation with her husband. The meeting brings back painful wartime memories and Rachel heads to a quiet place by the river to recollect our central story.

    So back we travel, to occupied Holland, circa 1944, and we see a more youthful Rachel, diligently practicing a bible passage in order to earn a meal from the family who is hiding her from the Germans. She, like many Jews at that time, were surviving by any means necessary in order to outlast the Nazi tyranny. However, one day, while flirting with a young man sailing on the nearby lake, her safe zone is destroyed in one fell swoop by a low flying bomber. Rachel is immediately on the run, aided by her new sailor friend.

    So much of this film relies on surprises and shocking twists that it would be unfair of me to detail too many plot threads. And my goodness, there are a tons of them. This is truly a definitive epic, in every cinematic sense of the word. Rachel is crossed and doubled-crossed and triple-crossed, eventually winding up as a member of the famed Resistance. Via cunning and fortunate circumstance, she manages to transform herself into Ellis de Vries, a blond bombshell who infiltrates the German command in the area. She uses a quick wit, a gorgeous voice, some feminine charms and a collection of Queen Wilhelmina stamps to crawl her way into the arms of Herr Müntze (Sebastian Koch).

    From deep within the Nazi camp, she is able to strategically plant a microphone and to use tidbits of acquired knowledge in order to provide the Resistance with vital information and plans. While evolving into a brave spy, she must learn how to reconcile her own personal vendettas and her surprising romantic feelings for Müntze.

    There are no more exciting themes for me in movies than tragic romance, espionage and escape. I have loved them all with a passion ever since I was a small child. Throw in a magnificent screenplay, marvelous cinematography, a plot that churns along with the efficiency of a Swiss watch, and the added bonus of a gorgeous actress -- the result is sure to be a huge winner for me. "Black Book" satisfies everything that I truly want from a film. It is the reason I go to the movies. I was utterly swept away by the intrigue, drama, romance and tragedy. This emotionally weighty film even manages to deliver a few wonderfully witty moments to break the supreme tension of it all.

    The cast is immense. Every one of them exudes authenticity. It is one of the best ensembles of the year. However, I struggle to call it an ensemble because it would be ignoring one of the singular performances in recent memory. Carice Van Houten is not a household name to most. She is a Dutch beauty who, if this role is anything to go by, is on the verge of a magnificent career. Her grasp on the emotional turmoil of Rachel/Ellis is of profound proportions. It is a stunning turn that flatly demands award consideration. The range on display in this movie is astonishing. Rarely have I ever been as moved by a character's heroism and charm and guile and wits. She is able to create a sympathetic creature... one that we will root for until the end... one that we trust and believe in.

    I cannot leave this review without admitting to my utter admiration for Paul Verhoeven, a director whose films I have often enjoyed and panned in equal measures. This is the work of his lifetime. It is the film he should list above all others on his résumé. This is a thoughtful, poignant and tremendously thrilling adventure. For attentive viewers, the final scenes of the film act as a provocative meditation on the relationships between war and justice, peace and insularity, the actions of the past and the promises of the future. "Black Book (Zwartboek)" is not only a riveting WWII adventure, but a superb contrast of morality -vs- reality.

    TC Candler IndependentCritics.com
    helpful•382
    48
    • tccandler
    • Oct 26, 2006

    FAQ5

    • Why were there soldiers moving in to defend the kibbutz in the final scene?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 18, 2007 (United States)
      • Netherlands
      • Germany
      • United Kingdom
      • Belgium
    • Official sites
      • Official site (Netherlands)
      • Official site (United States)
      • Dutch
      • German
      • English
      • Hebrew
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
    • Production companies
      • Fu Works
      • Egoli Tossell Pictures
      • Clockwork Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 2 hours 25 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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