MovieChat Forums > Oorlogswinter (2008) Discussion > Disappointing

Disappointing

posted 15 years ago by Warge
9 replies | jump to latest

I didn't know anything at all about this film apart from it being a) Dutch and b) about WW2 so I watched it quite free from reviews or anything else that could have swayed me one way or another.

Quite frankly, I found this film dull, and that's a first for a war film. The pace was slower than cold syrup, the protagonist had absolutely no charisma and the plot was so obvious it could have been written in neon once you see the pilot hanging from the tree.

I'm disappointed, more so because it was a non-Hollywood film and I always get my hope up for those. I hope the next Dutch production will be better.

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Top 5: Jaws, Shrek, Fucling Åmål, [Rec]. Add more if I find any top movies

[–] offdwallnotdrack 15 years ago

To each their own, but sometimes a movie comes along who's quality cannot be disputed too greatly, and I feel this is one of them. Maybe it can be said that it's not one of the great war films; although many will disagree, but it's hard to say that this is not a good quality film. The boy did lack charisma, but he was a young boy in a small wartime village, I don't think many boys in that situation tend to be too charismatic. The movie serves up a twist that is pretty hard to foresee, and no one that I was with saw it coming. So to say that the plot was obvious...again, not sure how you can say that. I realize that Art can be interpreted in many different ways, both good and bad, but sometimes it's more black and white in some cases, and this really is one of those cases. You're definetely in the minority with your opinion here.

[–] jufjo 15 years ago

It isn't a "war movie", it is a "movie about the war".
Different kettle of fish.

[–] O'Malley 14 years ago

SPOILERS

It started off as an interesting rendering of life in a Dutch village under Nazi occupation. But then the melodramatic and cliches came so fast and furious and so much adversity came to our Boy Hero (falling through the ice, the wheel of the carriage breaking, the horse having to be put down, and that's just for starters) that the whole thing became ludicrous, like an old Perils of Pauline serial. It's a juvenile movie, and not suited for adults at all. And, oh, that atrocious blaring musical score!

[–] Spiny_Norman 13 years ago

Having just seen it for the first time, I can only agree with all of the above. The ludicrous motorbikes vs horse & carriage chase scene was where it all came apart for me.

"Everybody in the WORLD, is bent"

[–] The_Khazi 13 years ago

I don`t think the performance of the boy was the real problem here as his understated but mature performance masks over some really gaping cracks in a rotten script.Pedestrian pacing with zero tension and some unbelievable and unrealistic situations:pilot hidden in a hideout that`s almost in the middle of the road and have you noticed how everyone keeps leaving the door open!A boy riding a horse when the population is supposed to be starving.As I mentioned on another thread the privations of the Dutch people are almost glossed over with the picture-postcard locations.I`m afraid the British pilot is one of the most unconvincing characters in any film capped off by a truly ridiculous escapade under a bridge when he`s supposed to be injured.(Is that the same bridge used in the filming of "A Bridge Too Far"?).On second viewing the whole thing,apart from the boy,is really quite poor.

[–] jaciniexroberts 10 years ago

I DISAGREE VERY STRONGLY. This is based on a true story. Do you have car chases and explosions in YOUR life? Well done. Suburb acting by all.

[–] ktowny 13 years ago

I'm quite interested in movies that depict the lives of people living under occupation and resistance movements. I found this movie to be watchable, but was bothered by some of the cheap plot devices as others have mentioned. Granted, some of these were used in a functional way to give the characters a bit more depth, however, they didn't add much to the actual plot. Despite the criticisms, it wasn't 'bad' per se, but just not quite up to par for this type of film.

As an American, I'd recommend this movie soley because its quite unusual in terms of what we are offered here in the states. For anyone looking for similar movies, I highly recommend Soldier of Oranje, Flame and Citron, and the Black Book, which are much better.

Love's turned to lust and blood's turned to dust in my heart.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

Only had to see your Top 5 to understand why you were unable to appreciate this film.