‘Masterpiece’ war movie that’s ‘on par with Saving Private Ryan’ streaming now | Films | Entertainment

A war film featuring a star of the Harry Potter franchise and hailed by fans as a “masterpiece” is streaming now in the UK. The Forgotten Battle (2020) is a Dutch war drama that depicts the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944, in which Allied forces took on Germany’s 15th Army to open up a vital supply route in a brutal battle.

We see the battle through the experiences of Marinus (Gijs Blom), a Dutch soldier who has decided to join the German army, British glider pilot William (Jamie Flatters), and Teuntje (Susan Radder), a woman from Zeeland who becomes part of the Dutch resistance movement. It also stars Tom Felton, best known for his portrayal of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film franchise, as aristocratic British officer Lieutenant Tony Turner.

The film, directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr., best known for The Thing (2011), is a prequel to John Carpenter’s seminal 1982 film.

Fans flocked to IMDb to shower the film with praise. One writer called it an “impressive and emotionally insightful masterpiece”.

“It is that simple. I was blown away with the story, the acting and most of the filming felt like you were actually present on the scene.”

Another gave it a 10/10, writing: “This was a very well-scripted, excellently acted, and cleverly and sensitively directed WW2 film.

“For me, it caught beautifully the pain, despair and heartache of a time in our history that none of us should ever forget, but also depicted the courage, selflessness and the deep humanity of many who fought not just for their freedom, but gave us today a freedom which we should never take for granted.

“I was deeply moved by this film and unashamedly wept at the end,” they added.

A third said: “WOW never expected that!”, calling it a “great movie, heartbreaking, but so well made and so realistic”.

“I’ll put it up there at par with Saving Private Ryan as far as … well, everything. Bravo to the Dutch for providing such an excellent cinematic experience.”

The film has a 15 certificate and contains injury detail, suicide, and violence, so viewer discretion is advised.

The Forgotten Battle is streaming now on Netflix.

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