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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Please keep in mind that this little gem of a film is based on a children's novel.
12 April 2012
By Flmfn
Format:DVD
I have written another review here so I won't go into the details of what a great film I thought this was. There's just one thing that I think needs to be metioned here, so that non-Dutch viewers will see the film as it was intended, rather than comment negatively because they were under the false impression it was aimed at adult audiences.
This is a dramatization of a CHILDREN'S novel. A very well-known and well-loved Dutch children's novel in fact, based on the author's (Jan Terlouw) own childhood experiences during the devastating final "Winter of Hunger" (before the northern part of The Netherlands was finally liberated in May 1945). But still, a children's novel, and therefore aimed at an audience of about 9-15 year-olds. In The Netherlands, this film was released as such, as a film for children. Hence the "lack" of gory action scenes or realisticly savage brutality by the hands of the occupiers that some viewers have mentioned in their comments. It was never intended for adult audiences. Maybe this knowledge will set this film in a different light for non-Dutch viewers.
I hope it does, because I loved it, as I loved the book when I was a child growing up in The Netherlands. But keep in mind, this is a story told from the perspective of a child, written for children. Don't let that fact deter you in any way though, you'll miss a solid little gem of a film!
This is a dramatization of a CHILDREN'S novel. A very well-known and well-loved Dutch children's novel in fact, based on the author's (Jan Terlouw) own childhood experiences during the devastating final "Winter of Hunger" (before the northern part of The Netherlands was finally liberated in May 1945). But still, a children's novel, and therefore aimed at an audience of about 9-15 year-olds. In The Netherlands, this film was released as such, as a film for children. Hence the "lack" of gory action scenes or realisticly savage brutality by the hands of the occupiers that some viewers have mentioned in their comments. It was never intended for adult audiences. Maybe this knowledge will set this film in a different light for non-Dutch viewers.
I hope it does, because I loved it, as I loved the book when I was a child growing up in The Netherlands. But keep in mind, this is a story told from the perspective of a child, written for children. Don't let that fact deter you in any way though, you'll miss a solid little gem of a film!
64 of 68 people found the following review helpful
By Gary
Format:DVD
Winter in Wartime is worth seeing if only for the beautiful cinematography. Even the coloration of scenes suits the genre and feel of this film perfectly showing the sheer dedication in the execution of this film. This is not just a story on tape but an artistic addition to film.
Although the genre of war may put some people off of watching Winter in Wartime, it must really be stressed that this film is about much more than war. It is a story of unimaginable situations, immeasurable courage and unfathomable predicaments that the characters find themselves in and as a viewer you are completely compelled to find out what will happen to these normal individuals that find themselves in abnormal circumstances.
A beautiful film, a touching story and definitely worth seeing. It is a film that will make you compare all other war films to it!
Simply brilliant!
(And it should have received the Oscar nomination it was short-listed for!!)
Although the genre of war may put some people off of watching Winter in Wartime, it must really be stressed that this film is about much more than war. It is a story of unimaginable situations, immeasurable courage and unfathomable predicaments that the characters find themselves in and as a viewer you are completely compelled to find out what will happen to these normal individuals that find themselves in abnormal circumstances.
A beautiful film, a touching story and definitely worth seeing. It is a film that will make you compare all other war films to it!
Simply brilliant!
(And it should have received the Oscar nomination it was short-listed for!!)
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
By chance I watched this DVD in the same week as I saw Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" (2010). While the latter was a farrago which to misquote Noel Coward was twice as long as "The Dirty Dozen" and not half so funny, "Winter in Wartime" (2008) by contrast addressed many terrible issues of war on the home front, occupation by a foreign power, moral complexities, personal loyalities and the compromises that must be made simply in order to remain alive, Tarantino's film which appeared to have addressed many of the same issues was generally a dud.
"Winter in Wartime" offers a taut narrative, great performances from an accomplished team of mostly Dutch actors, chillingly beautiful cinematography and an entirely convincing drama. The musical score was somewhat heavy-handed and as with some other movies merely underlined moments of high emotion when the acting and photography were perfectly adequate in themselves. That quibble apart, "Winter in Wartime" is a fine film and I recommend it strongly.
"Winter in Wartime" offers a taut narrative, great performances from an accomplished team of mostly Dutch actors, chillingly beautiful cinematography and an entirely convincing drama. The musical score was somewhat heavy-handed and as with some other movies merely underlined moments of high emotion when the acting and photography were perfectly adequate in themselves. That quibble apart, "Winter in Wartime" is a fine film and I recommend it strongly.
41 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't want to add spoilers to this review by giving away the plot, but this is a coming of age film which simply must be seen. Every character, the human dilemmas, the haunting scenery and camera work, the storyline, the musical score,I simply can't fault any of it - it is all perfect. The "boy" is the most endearing (yet realistic) adolescent I have ever seen - his acting skills are incredible, especially for one so young. The most gripping, moving film I have seen for years; I will never forget it, and actually need to own it, so I know I can watch it again (and again.) It is truly beautiful, a magnificent achievement for all concerned. In all honesty, God bless the Dutch film industry for giving this to the viewing public.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
There has been a glut of recent films about the resistance movement in Europe during the Nazi occupation. There was the excellent "Max Manus" from Norway, "Army of Crime" from France, and the bigger budget Daniel Craig vehicle "Defiance" about the Bielski brothers. Perhaps the bench mark for such movies is Jean-Pierre Melville's "Army of Shadows", made way back in antiquity. Nineteen sixty nine to be more precise! Now the Dutch have thrown in their own resistance film, and it is not bad!
The story concerns a fresh faced 14 year old boy Michiel, who harbours aspirations to join the local resistance movement. The life expectancy in this movement is about the same as a first world war pilot, judging from the rate they are bumped off early on! Not something that seems to put our young would be hero off! Michiel resents his father the town mayor who appears to pander to the local Nazi's for the sake of an easier life, but he worships his Uncle Ben who has contact with the resistance. When he discovers a downed English pilot, Michiel enters into a very dangerous game. The penalty for such help being a lonely wall and the firing squad. All is not as it seems for a young boy forced to grow up fast under the harsh realities of war.
The film is something of a Dutch boys own adventure, with the theme of lost innocence at its heart. There were many children in Europe during WW2 who were sadly robbed of their innocence, so this is certainly a sincere theme. The film also realistically portrays that feeling of dread that those working in the resistance had to live with. That awful knock on the door in the middle of the night that could lead to torture and exection. We are also made painfully aware of the wartime shortages and the temptation for some to turn informer.... Read more ›
The story concerns a fresh faced 14 year old boy Michiel, who harbours aspirations to join the local resistance movement. The life expectancy in this movement is about the same as a first world war pilot, judging from the rate they are bumped off early on! Not something that seems to put our young would be hero off! Michiel resents his father the town mayor who appears to pander to the local Nazi's for the sake of an easier life, but he worships his Uncle Ben who has contact with the resistance. When he discovers a downed English pilot, Michiel enters into a very dangerous game. The penalty for such help being a lonely wall and the firing squad. All is not as it seems for a young boy forced to grow up fast under the harsh realities of war.
The film is something of a Dutch boys own adventure, with the theme of lost innocence at its heart. There were many children in Europe during WW2 who were sadly robbed of their innocence, so this is certainly a sincere theme. The film also realistically portrays that feeling of dread that those working in the resistance had to live with. That awful knock on the door in the middle of the night that could lead to torture and exection. We are also made painfully aware of the wartime shortages and the temptation for some to turn informer.... Read more ›
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic
fantastic war time drama - if you have someone who likes world war II this is the movie for a gift or for your own collection - same director as black book - a sunday afternoon... Read more
Published 13 days ago by mafmeijer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable
A good war film, not sure how accurate it is but I liked it. Would recommend this film, very enjoyable.
Published 14 days ago by Neil3478
3.0 out of 5 stars
Don't let reality get in the way of telling a story
I looked forward to this movie. My father grew up under occupation in Belgium. He was about the same age as the protagonist when the Germans invaded in May 1940. Read more
Published 25 days ago by "Belgo Geordie"
5.0 out of 5 stars
So interesting
Such interesting documentaries. Anyone who is interested in world war history would find this box set fascinating and I would definitely recommend it.
Published 28 days ago by Cheryl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful film.
The English subtitles were no barrier for me as I watched it first with a couple of adults, nor for my 12-year-old who watched it on his laptop later. Read more
Published 2 months ago by S. Riches
3.0 out of 5 stars
Winter in Wartime
Mediocre war film. More suited to Teenagers than an adult. The story is slow and ponderous. Very little action. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Sean F. Wilson FCCA
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Dutch war film
This was a hugely successful film in Europe in 2008, and it is easy to see why. A film about Resistance against the German occupiers; bravery, betrayal, and the ideals of youth,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. P. Johnson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Somewhat formulaic wartime adventure
A Dutch film about the latter stages of the Nazi occupation of Holland. It is worth watching although the story - a resistance fighter evading German soldiers - is all too familiar... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Seoulprovider
2.0 out of 5 stars
Ok
The subtitles are not great, makes it confusing and hard to follow unfortunately. Took away from the over all enjoyment of the movie.
Published 3 months ago by Susanne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engrossing
Based on a popular Dutch children's novel, as pointed out and well described in Flmfn's informative review, Winter in Wartime tells the story of a young Dutch boy's emotional... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mart
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