Zwartboek (2006)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writers:

Gerard Soeteman (written by)
Paul Verhoeven (written by)

Release Date:

14 September 2006 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | War

Tagline:

To fight the enemy, she must become one of them.

Plot:

In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.

Plot Keywords:

Resistance | Hiding | Boat | Jewish | Hiding Place

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 11 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Carice van Houten	...	Rachel Stein / Ellis de Vries
Sebastian Koch	...	Ludwig Müntze
Thom Hoffman	...	Hans Akkermans
Halina Reijn	...	Ronnie
Waldemar Kobus	...	Günther Franken
Derek de Lint	...	Gerben Kuipers
Christian Berkel	...	General Käutner
Dolf de Vries	...	Notary Wim Smaal
Peter Blok	...	Van Gein
Michiel Huisman	...	Rob
Ronald Armbrust	...	Tim Kuipers
Frank Lammers	...	Kees
Matthias Schoenaerts	...	Joop
Johnny de Mol	...	Theo
Xander Straat	...	Maarten

Also Known As:

Black Book (Germany) (International: English title) (UK) (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong violence, graphic nudity, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

145 min

Country:

Netherlands | Germany | Belgium

Language:

Dutch | English | German | Hebrew

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | USA:R | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | UK:15 | Italy:VM14 | Portugal:M/16 | Argentina:16 | South Korea:18 | Hong Kong:IIB | Germany:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Japan:PG-12 | Australia:MA | Spain:18 | Brazil:16 | Singapore:M18 | Ireland:18 | Norway:15 (DVD rating) | Sweden:15 (TV rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Finland:K-15

Filming Locations:

's-Gravenhage, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Fu Works

Trivia:

This film was the official Netherlands entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 79th Academy Awards. It was on the shortlist of nine films competing for a nomination, but it did not make it to the final five, announced on the 23 January 2007.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When at the end of the movie characters Rachel and Smaal are pursuing Akkermans lying in a coffin in the hearse, the scene shot at the dyke reveal trees in fall foliage, i.e. they are browning, meaning that this scene was shot sometime in late September or during October. This part of the story is set in the month of May when, in 1945, the actual liberation of this part of Holland took part.

Quotes:

Gerben Kuipers: We will kill that girl! However, wherever, whenever.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Allemaal film: Tussen kunst en kassa (#1.5)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Scheepke Onder Jezus Hoede

The best dutch production in 20-30 years

I have been eagerly waiting to see 'Zwartboek' the past months. Finally it premiered in Holland today and i immediately rushed to cinema to be one of the first to see it. Beforehand i didn't watch any trailer nor read any review so i went in completely not knowing what to expect.

The movie starts a bit messy. Not knowing what it wants and where it wants to go. But as soon as things are set the roller-coaster ride begins. Carice and Sebastian are simply outstanding. Together they really carry the movie. The story however is predictable at times, but the awesome production quality (for dutch standards) and fast paced action really make up for it.

The overall message (which i will not give away) is something to think about. See the movie and judge for yourself.

I have heard this will be sent in for the Oscars. As much as i would want Paul to win i don't think it will happen. There will be other movies with a story less predictable and more surprising. However, my heart would want him to win this and walk out with a big figurative finger pointed at all them critics.

Zwartboek is in my opinion the best dutch production in 20-30 years, maybe even the best dutch movie since Soldier of Orange. It doesn't disappoint, it doesn't bore and it will give you a ride which you won't forget. It is also the breakthrough of Carice van Houten. Rave reviews from Venice compare her to Scarlett Johansson, but even better. Future will tell...

For now, go see this! And for Paul: please stay in Holland and make dutch cinema proud again.