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Soldier Of Orange
1978
A gripping World War II tale about the Nazi invasion of Holland and its effects upon six wealthy, boisterous college students, SOLDIER OF ORANGE brought director Paul Verhoeven international acclaim. The film focuses on two of the friends, Erik and Gus. Erik escapes to England, and (against his inclinations), joins a resistance .. Read more
| Starring | Rutger Hauer, Jeroen Krabbe, Peter Faber, Derek De Lint |
|---|---|
| Director | Paul Verhoeven |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Drama |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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Paul Verhoeven's lavish, personal war epic re-creates the Nazi invasion of his native Holland and shows the effects that has on six university students, all but one of whom become involved in the Resistance. Known for his graphic depiction of sex and violence, Verhoeven's approach here is more traditional — in fact this war movie resembles 1960s epics such as Is Paris Burning? — and boasts two splendid leading performances from Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbé. Edward Fox appears as the head of British military intelligence and Susan Penhaligon is on hand to give both Hauer and Krabbé a squeeze when they escape to Britain.
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Engaging, sprawling war movie about Dutch resistance and collaboration, following the career of a hero and his not always heroic friends.
-
This brilliantly made war film helped alert Hollwyood to Verhoeven's talents. Loosely based on war hero Erik Hazelhoff... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
14 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Dutch Courage
Soldier of Orange
The new intake of students get to university just before the outbreak of WW2. Their initial reaction to the news is that it will be exciting. The story follows 6 of them during the course of the war. Based on the memoirs of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, the story differs from the usual heroic war film because of the six students one elects to keep his head down, another fights for the Nazis, a third is a Quisling and only two finally get to England to serve Queen Juliana (House of Orange hence the title) through working for British Intelligence. This pair, played by Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbe, seem more interested in who is going to be first into Susan Penhaligon?s knickers than in kicking Nazi butt and their big raid when it does come along doesn?t exactly come off.
At the time of its making this was the most expensive Dutch film ever (possibly still is) chiefly due to the pyrotechnics of the action scenes which although this was one of Verhoeven?s early films clearly foreshadow the action scenes in his later ones such as ?Starship Troopers?.
Outside the action scenes the editing tends to be rather slow compared to the modern frenetic ?MTV? style editing and this gives the film a somewhat laboured feel in parts. Compared to sweeping epics like Private Ryan this film has a far more intimate sense. It concerns itself more with recreating the feel of the WW2 era rather than creating a spectacle for our own era. And there?s never an American in sight. -
9 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Verhoeven at his best
Paul Verhoeven's excellent war film from 1977 explores a part of Second World War history rarely (if ever) specifically cinematically addressed - the Nazi occupation of Holland.
Based on true events, the film is the story of a group of Dutch friends during the war. Verhoeven's sensitive handling of the fates of the respective characters makes for that rarest of things; a non-judgemental war film, where the mercenary, stay-alive nature of proceedings and the horror of the brutal occupation means that more than one character will commit shocking acts in order that they and their loved ones will survive.
Verhoeven has often been called an overly excessive director, but Soldier of Orange displays a remarkable restraint in its depiction of a horrendous chapter in human history, and works all the better for it.
Along with Robocop (one of the best films of and about the 1980s) this represents a creative high water-mark for Verhoeven.
Highly recommended. -
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Lively War Adventure...
Verhoeven's account of Holland during the second world war is in part a lively, exciting adventure story, but also contains an undercurrent of scathing criticism of Dutch compliance with Nazism. Told through the eyes of posh students who seem to see war as a jolly jape, and seem to have only a passing interest in who wins at first, it's an interesting account from one of those countries 'caught in the middle' of WWII. Interesting then, but for a better account of enemy occupation try Lacombe Lucien.
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Rutger Hauer can act
Much praise has been deservedly heaped on the director of this film, but I found Rutger Hauer's performance to be surprisingly forceful and worth seeing.
Altogether an interesting story about the effects of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands and the reactions of a bunch of young Dutchmen. -
14 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Dutch Courage
Soldier of Orange
The new intake of students get to university just before the outbreak of WW2. Their initial reaction to the news is that it will be exciting. The story follows 6 of them during the course of the war. Based on the memoirs of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, the story differs from the usual heroic war film because of the six students one elects to keep his head down, another fights for the Nazis, a third is a Quisling and only two finally get to England to serve Queen Juliana (House of Orange hence the title) through working for British Intelligence. This pair, played by Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbe, seem more interested in who is going to be first into Susan Penhaligon?s knickers than in kicking Nazi butt and their big raid when it does come along doesn?t exactly come off.
At the time of its making this was the most expensive Dutch film ever (possibly still is) chiefly due to the pyrotechnics of the action scenes which although this was one of Verhoeven?s early films clearly foreshadow the action scenes in his later ones such as ?Starship Troopers?.
Outside the action scenes the editing tends to be rather slow compared to the modern frenetic ?MTV? style editing and this gives the film a somewhat laboured feel in parts. Compared to sweeping epics like Private Ryan this film has a far more intimate sense. It concerns itself more with recreating the feel of the WW2 era rather than creating a spectacle for our own era. And there?s never an American in sight.
-
14 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Dutch Courage
Soldier of Orange
The new intake of students get to university just before the outbreak of WW2. Their initial reaction to the news is that it will be exciting. The story follows 6 of them during the course of the war. Based on the memoirs of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, the story differs from the usual heroic war film because of the six students one elects to keep his head down, another fights for the Nazis, a third is a Quisling and only two finally get to England to serve Queen Juliana (House of Orange hence the title) through working for British Intelligence. This pair, played by Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbe, seem more interested in who is going to be first into Susan Penhaligon?s knickers than in kicking Nazi butt and their big raid when it does come along doesn?t exactly come off.
At the time of its making this was the most expensive Dutch film ever (possibly still is) chiefly due to the pyrotechnics of the action scenes which although this was one of Verhoeven?s early films clearly foreshadow the action scenes in his later ones such as ?Starship Troopers?.
Outside the action scenes the editing tends to be rather slow compared to the modern frenetic ?MTV? style editing and this gives the film a somewhat laboured feel in parts. Compared to sweeping epics like Private Ryan this film has a far more intimate sense. It concerns itself more with recreating the feel of the WW2 era rather than creating a spectacle for our own era. And there?s never an American in sight. -
9 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Verhoeven at his best
Paul Verhoeven's excellent war film from 1977 explores a part of Second World War history rarely (if ever) specifically cinematically addressed - the Nazi occupation of Holland.
Based on true events, the film is the story of a group of Dutch friends during the war. Verhoeven's sensitive handling of the fates of the respective characters makes for that rarest of things; a non-judgemental war film, where the mercenary, stay-alive nature of proceedings and the horror of the brutal occupation means that more than one character will commit shocking acts in order that they and their loved ones will survive.
Verhoeven has often been called an overly excessive director, but Soldier of Orange displays a remarkable restraint in its depiction of a horrendous chapter in human history, and works all the better for it.
Along with Robocop (one of the best films of and about the 1980s) this represents a creative high water-mark for Verhoeven.
Highly recommended. -
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Lively War Adventure...
Verhoeven's account of Holland during the second world war is in part a lively, exciting adventure story, but also contains an undercurrent of scathing criticism of Dutch compliance with Nazism. Told through the eyes of posh students who seem to see war as a jolly jape, and seem to have only a passing interest in who wins at first, it's an interesting account from one of those countries 'caught in the middle' of WWII. Interesting then, but for a better account of enemy occupation try Lacombe Lucien.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
laboured resistance drama
A fairly good European War Film,though very slow.The Germans ,especially the Gestapo when they arrive,are the usual stereotypical sadists who delight in slapping Peoples faces!
The lead characters are fine ,especially Hauer,i cant believe he never really made it in Hollywood.
The sort of 70,s Euro flick that judders from one scene to another and leaves you wondering whats going on.
Enjoyable though. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Excellent Film
I hadn't heard of this film till I found it on the browser for this site which is a surprise as it is pure quality. It is one of the few 70's war films that have aged well and it still looks fresh. It is a long film at 2.5 hours and I'm glad it was as it's a great storyline and very well acted.
Save this one as a treat for a wet Sunday afternoon - you won't be disappointed! -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Pedestrian
Watched this because I thought that Black Book was such an amazing film. However, the contrast couldn't be more different. This is very pedestrianly paced and there is no great feeling towards or empathy with any of the characters.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Soldier of Boredom
Really, really don't bother to see this movie. It's slow and deeply flawed.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
This is a good early dutch movie from Paul Verhoeven of 'Total Recall' & 'Starship Troopers' fame.
The story was good, following friends from the start to the end of World War 2. Rutger Hauer acted well I thought, and you could see how he ended up playing parts in Hollywood films.
It was good to see what happened to each of the friends during the film and how some of their stories overlapped. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Cool Dutch war Film
Rutger et al mature from university into the resistance, full of nationalism and naivity. Good character study and fine plotting. A great sunday afternoon flick.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Rutger Hauer can act
Much praise has been deservedly heaped on the director of this film, but I found Rutger Hauer's performance to be surprisingly forceful and worth seeing.
Altogether an interesting story about the effects of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands and the reactions of a bunch of young Dutchmen.
Critics' reviews (4)
-
Paul Verhoeven's lavish, personal war epic re-creates the Nazi invasion of his native Holland and shows the effects that has on six university students, all but one of whom become involved in the Resistance. Known for his graphic depiction of sex and violence, Verhoeven's approach here is more traditional — in fact this war movie resembles 1960s epics such as Is Paris Burning? — and boasts two splendid leading performances from Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbé. Edward Fox appears as the head of British military intelligence and Susan Penhaligon is on hand to give both Hauer and Krabbé a squeeze when they escape to Britain.
-
Engaging, sprawling war movie about Dutch resistance and collaboration, following the career of a hero and his not always heroic friends.
-
This brilliantly made war film helped alert Hollwyood to Verhoeven's talents. Loosely based on war hero Erik Hazelhoff... read more on Time Out
-
"...A good yarn....[Verhoeven and Hauer] keep it moving at a fast clip..."
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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Soldier Of Orange
A gripping World War II tale about the Nazi invasion of Holland and its effects upon six wealthy, boisterous college students, SOLDIER OF ORANGE brought director Paul Verhoeven international acclaim. The film focuses on two of the friends, Erik and Gus. Erik escapes to England, and (against his ...
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