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Chicago – A glance at the premise of Ben Sombogaart’s “Bride Flight” would lead one to believe that the entire film chronicled the 1953 long distance air race from London to Christchurch, New Zealand. Yet that backdrop merely serves as the launching pad for a plethora of melodramatic fireworks. Despite occasional moments of hokum, the film benefits greatly from its three splendid leads.

Instead of focusing on the race itself, Marieke van der Pol’s script centers on a trio of female immigrants from Holland who board the plane known as The Flying Dutchman (dubbed “Bride Flight”) to meet their fiancés as they make a new home in New Zealand. Yet a chance encounter with a handsome young ladykiller, Frank (Waldemar Torenstra), proves to have a lasting impact on their lives. What follows is a relatively standard romantic tearjerker much like “Bridges of Madison County” with a dash of post-wwii intrigue.

See poster and images from Bride Flight, starring Waldemar Torenstra, Karina Smulders, Anna Drijver, Elise Schaap, Rutger Hauer and Pleuni Touw. Ben Sombogaart directs from the screenplay by Marieke van der Pol. The drama is produced by Anton Smit & Hanneke Niens and opened this weekend. Bride Flight is a lavish romantic drama that charts the lives of three women who escape the gloom of post-wwii Holland for what they hope will be a better life in New Zealand. Ada, the shy but sensual farm girl, Marjorie, who dreams of a big family, and Esther, a Holocaust survivor who aspires to be a fashion designer, become fast friends...

See poster and images from Bride Flight, starring Waldemar Torenstra, Karina Smulders, Anna Drijver, Elise Schaap, Rutger Hauer and Pleuni Touw. Ben Sombogaart directs from the screenplay by Marieke van der Pol. The drama is produced by Anton Smit & Hanneke Niens and opened this weekend. Bride Flight is a lavish romantic drama that charts the lives of three women who escape the gloom of post-wwii Holland for what they hope will be a better life in New Zealand. Ada, the shy but sensual farm girl, Marjorie, who dreams of a big family, and Esther, a Holocaust survivor who aspires to be a fashion designer, become fast friends...

See poster and images from Bride Flight, starring Waldemar Torenstra, Karina Smulders, Anna Drijver, Elise Schaap, Rutger Hauer and Pleuni Touw. Ben Sombogaart directs from the screenplay by Marieke van der Pol. The drama is produced by Anton Smit & Hanneke Niens and opened this weekend. Bride Flight is a lavish romantic drama that charts the lives of three women who escape the gloom of post-wwii Holland for what they hope will be a better life in New Zealand. Ada, the shy but sensual farm girl, Marjorie, who dreams of a big family, and Esther, a Holocaust survivor who aspires to be a fashion designer, become fast friends...

Reviewed by Amy R. Handler

(June 2011)

Directed by: Ben Sombogaart

Written by: Marieke van der Pol

Featuring: Karina Smulders, Anna Drijver, Elise Schaap, Waldemar Torenstra, Pleuni Touw, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Petra Laseur, Rutger Hauer and Mykola Allen

“Bride Flight” is a haunting masterpiece that combines the power of “Doctor Zhivago” with the ambiguity of “The End of the Affair.” The result is a psychological joyride of epic proportions.

Based upon the best-selling novel of the same name, “Bride Flight” focuses on three young Dutch women — Ada (Karina Smulders), Marjorie (Elise Schaap) and Esther (Anna Drijver) — who marry by proxy and travel to New Zealand for their formal weddings. The year is 1953, and the women are part of a select group of emigrant passengers chosen to travel aboard Klm in the Last Great Air Race from London to Christchurch. En route, the three women happen to meet a particularly gallant young man seated nearby,...

Reviewed by Amy R. Handler

(June 2011)

Directed by: Ben Sombogaart

Written by: Marieke van der Pol

Featuring: Karina Smulders, Anna Drijver, Elise Schaap, Waldemar Torenstra, Pleuni Touw, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Petra Laseur, Rutger Hauer and Mykola Allen

“Bride Flight” is a haunting masterpiece that combines the power of “Doctor Zhivago” with the ambiguity of “The End of the Affair.” The result is a psychological joyride of epic proportions.

Based upon the best-selling novel of the same name, “Bride Flight” focuses on three young Dutch women — Ada (Karina Smulders), Marjorie (Elise Schaap) and Esther (Anna Drijver) — who marry by proxy and travel to New Zealand for their formal weddings. The year is 1953, and the women are part of a select group of emigrant passengers chosen to travel aboard Klm in the Last Great Air Race from London to Christchurch. En route, the three women happen to meet a particularly gallant young man seated nearby,...

Cologne, Germany -- Dutch/Irish co-production "Nothing Personal," a feature debut from Polish-born director Urszula Antoniak won big at this year's Golden Calves, the Dutch national film awards, taking four trophies, including that for best film.

The story of a woman who abandons her life and all her possessions in the Netherlands for a nomadic lifestyle in Ireland, also secured nods in the best director, best cinematography and best sound design categories. The film stars Lotte Verbeek and Stephen Rea.

Martin Koolhoven's World War II epic "Winter in Wartime" picked up three Golden Calves, for best actor Martijn Lakemeier, a 16-year-old first-timer, best supporting actor Raymond Thiry and best production design. Director Esther Rots, another first-timer, scooped three trophies for her intimate drama "Can Go Through Skin," taking Golden Calves for best actress Rifka Lodeizen and best editing prizes along with a special Jury award.

Dutch Oscar contender, Jean van de Velde...