‘Masterpiece’ 1977 film is the ‘best war movie of all time’ | Films | Entertainment

Lovers of the war film genre, you may not have heard of this hidden gem, which is currently streaming free of charge. Soldier of Orange was released in 1977 and is a Dutch romantic war thriller film directed and co-written by Paul Verhoeven and produced by Rob Houwer.

It was based on Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema’s autobiographical book of the same name. Starring Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbé, the film is set during the German occupation of the Netherlands that took place in World War II.

The film’s synopsis reads: “A Dutch aristocrat and his university friends join the resistance movement against the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Others have a different role in the war, as collaborators. Queen Wilhelmina, meanwhile, lives in exile in London.”

Soldier of Orange received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 1980, and at the 1999 Netherlands Film Festival, it was voted the second-best Dutch film of the twentieth century.

The film has amassed an impressive 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with one critic stating: “This brilliantly made war film helped alert Hollywood to Verhoeven’s talents.”

A viewer said: “It is a masterpiece co-directed by the main character himself. It takes you through an era where, without warning, an entire country is occupied by night. No internet, no mobiles and no drones.

“Close to Germany, the resistance in a small country was extremely dangerous, taking into account the number of resistance died in camps or were shot all over the country. Dozens of pilots were helped to escape to the UK, and numerous Jews survived thanks to the bravery of a few. The film takes you to the daily life, struggles, and decisions of the 30’s. A Dutch top cast including Hauer, Krabbe, and many others. That’s why Verhoeven is Verhoeven.”

Another said: “One of the best war movies ever made. I watched it all along, and I was so into it that when I saw the intermission, I was shocked as if I just watched 30 minutes of the movie and that to me is the secret of the great movie, they keep you into the storyline no matter what.”

Soldier of Orange is available to stream free of charge on Tubi and is also on Amazon Prime.