During World War II, Dutch students join the resistance movement against the German occupation of the Netherlands.During World War II, Dutch students join the resistance movement against the German occupation of the Netherlands.During World War II, Dutch students join the resistance movement against the German occupation of the Netherlands.
- Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations total
Reinhard Kolldehoff
- Geisman
- (as René Kolldehoff)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe explosions in this movie were provided not by special effects technicians, but by the Dutch Marines. In his DVD commentary on this movie, director Paul Verhoeven states that the explosive charges were held in place with metal. When one of the charges was set off, it blew the metal to bits. One of the flying fragments nearly killed Rutger Hauer.
- GoofsAfter the first failed attempt to flee to England where John is captured, Erik meets with Guus and asks Guus to hide him. In the background, Dutch fascists are selling newspapers and shouting, "Russian Front Collapses." Later John is executed and a subtitle tells us the date is April 10, 1941. Germany did not invade Russia until June, 1941 so there was no "Russian Front" before then.
- Quotes
Geisman: Did you write that?
Erik Lanshof: Sir, yes sir.
Geisman: What did you write that with?
Erik Lanshof: Sir, with shit, sir.
- Alternate versionsThe German video version released in 1988 was heavily cut for about 35 min., in 2007 this film was finally released uncut in Germany as part of the "Paul Verhoeven-Klassiker Edition".
Featured review
This is one of the best and only accurate depictions of espionage in WWII. The script and direction by Verhoeven are very clever and exciting, and Rutger Hauer is excellent. We see that it takes serious, quick wit and nerves of steel to be a secret agent, and that one can rarely count on the plan (the phone that no longer took dimes was an exceptional and realistic surprise!) It is also one of the only films I have seen to take a look at the war from the Dutch perspective. The people of the Netherlands were conquered by the Nazis, and thus could strike back only by forming a resistance movement. It is a great film, and although miracles rarely happen, I PRAY FOR THIS MOVIE'S RELEASE ON DVD!!! Grade; A.
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Borba na zivot i smrt
- Filming locations
- Noordwijk, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands(Hotel Huis Ter Duin and beach)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- NLG 5,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 45 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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