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Soldier of Orange
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
Review
Features:Widescreen 1.66:1 enhanced for 16x9 TVs. Dolby Digital (Mono), in Dutch with optional English subtitles. Audio commentary by director Paul Verhoeven. Teaser trailer. Still gallery. Talent bios.
The Movie
The best of Paul Verhoeven's Dutch films, "Soldier of Orange" ranks with "Das Boot" as one of the finest European World War II films of the 1970s, focusing on a lesser-known chapter of the war that contains painful truths for the people of Holland while resonating with universal themes about the personal and epic costs of warfare. While establishing Rutger Hauer as an international star (he appeared in "Blade Runner" three years later), the film is an exceptional ensemble piece, about a half-dozen wealthy Dutch college students who think "a spot of war might be exciting," only to learn harsh lessons when Holland is occupied by the Nazis in 1940. Thus begins their four-year trial by fire, as exemplified by Erik (Hauer), who joins the Dutch resistance and British Air Force; and Alex (Derek de Lint), who's in step with the Nazi jackboots. Together and apart, these friends endure tense intrigue, covert activities, and life-risking danger while their homeland is ravaged by divided loyalties that reflect their own, more intimate dilemmas.
Based on the fictionalized memoirs of real-life resistance fighter Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, "Soldier of Orange" was the first Dutch film to openly address the issue of Nazi collaboration during Holland's occupation, and this tension—an entire population, uncertain of where to place allegiance—is handled with the kind of moral complexity that invites controversy while remaining honest to the often uncomfortable legacies of history. This is but one of many reasons why "Soldier of Orange," with all its authenticity of emotion and incident, remains a timeless and riveting drama that resonates throughout the passing decades.
The Picture
Adhering to their usual high standards, Anchor Bay presents "Soldier of Orange" in a gorgeous widescreen transfer, with colors, contrast, and black levels evenly balanced and accurately rendered. Some source flaws are apparent, but forgivable and hardly worth mentioning. This is not a slick Hollywood production, but Jost Vacano's cinematography is exceptional and it's been carefully preserved on this quality DVD.
The Sound
Dolby Digital Mono – nothing to write home about, and a few drop-outs are evident, but otherwise the film's soundtrack has been carefully preserved and shouldn't provoke any complaints.
The Extras
As with the other films in Anchor Bay's "Paul Verhoeven Collection," "Soldier of Orange" benefits from the director's impassioned commentary, in which Verhoeven offers comprehensive historical background, stylistic observations, production anecdotes and his own explanations and motivations behind making this film. Without exception, Verhoeven's commentaries have proven to be eloquent, full-length, and highly worthwhile. The other extras are perfunctory but welcomed, including a still gallery of interesting production and publicity shots.
Conclusion
Paul Verhoeven made excellent films in his native Holland before his migration to Hollywood, and this is arguably his bet Dutch film – a prestigious, meaningful, and finely crafted wartime drama, and a recommended addition to any DVD collection.
Features:Widescreen 1.66:1 enhanced for 16x9 TVs. Dolby Digital (Mono), in Dutch with optional English subtitles. Audio commentary by director Paul Verhoeven. Teaser trailer. Still gallery. Talent bios.
The Movie
The best of Paul Verhoeven's Dutch films, "Soldier of Orange" ranks with "Das Boot" as one of the finest European World War II films of the 1970s, focusing on a lesser-known chapter of the war that contains painful truths for the people of Holland while resonating with universal themes about the personal and epic costs of warfare. While establishing Rutger Hauer as an international star (he appeared in "Blade Runner" three years later), the film is an exceptional ensemble piece, about a half-dozen wealthy Dutch college students who think "a spot of war might be exciting," only to learn harsh lessons when Holland is occupied by the Nazis in 1940. Thus begins their four-year trial by fire, as exemplified by Erik (Hauer), who joins the Dutch resistance and British Air Force; and Alex (Derek de Lint), who's in step with the Nazi jackboots. Together and apart, these friends endure tense intrigue, covert activities, and life-risking danger while their homeland is ravaged by divided loyalties that reflect their own, more intimate dilemmas.
Based on the fictionalized memoirs of real-life resistance fighter Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, "Soldier of Orange" was the first Dutch film to openly address the issue of Nazi collaboration during Holland's occupation, and this tension—an entire population, uncertain of where to place allegiance—is handled with the kind of moral complexity that invites controversy while remaining honest to the often uncomfortable legacies of history. This is but one of many reasons why "Soldier of Orange," with all its authenticity of emotion and incident, remains a timeless and riveting drama that resonates throughout the passing decades.
The Picture
Adhering to their usual high standards, Anchor Bay presents "Soldier of Orange" in a gorgeous widescreen transfer, with colors, contrast, and black levels evenly balanced and accurately rendered. Some source flaws are apparent, but forgivable and hardly worth mentioning. This is not a slick Hollywood production, but Jost Vacano's cinematography is exceptional and it's been carefully preserved on this quality DVD.
The Sound
Dolby Digital Mono – nothing to write home about, and a few drop-outs are evident, but otherwise the film's soundtrack has been carefully preserved and shouldn't provoke any complaints.
The Extras
As with the other films in Anchor Bay's "Paul Verhoeven Collection," "Soldier of Orange" benefits from the director's impassioned commentary, in which Verhoeven offers comprehensive historical background, stylistic observations, production anecdotes and his own explanations and motivations behind making this film. Without exception, Verhoeven's commentaries have proven to be eloquent, full-length, and highly worthwhile. The other extras are perfunctory but welcomed, including a still gallery of interesting production and publicity shots.
Conclusion
Paul Verhoeven made excellent films in his native Holland before his migration to Hollywood, and this is arguably his bet Dutch film – a prestigious, meaningful, and finely crafted wartime drama, and a recommended addition to any DVD collection.
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