Recently Dutch filmmaker Wim Verstappen past away at age 67. He is one of the more underrated filmmakers in Holland. His best film is undeniably PASTORALE 1943, based on a novel by the famous Dutch writer Simon Vestdijk. A view on the activities of Dutch-resistance during WWII. No heroes, these people, but men and women who make mistakes quite a few, and with human feelings and faults all the way. Central to the story is the assassination attempt at Dutch middleman, collaborating with the Germans. A group of resistance-men think he's responsible for executing some people who were hiding for the Nazis. The cast of the film is great, especially Renee Soutendijk as a farmers-daughter, and Frederik De Groot as a young school teacher, who is also the leading member of the resistance-group. Rutger Hauer has an impressing bit part as the Nazi-brother of De Groot, in the last 5 minutes of the film. Allround the actors are impressive. Verstappen directed this film with just the right touch, with attention for many small details. Also the brilliant camera-work, by acclaimed photographer Marc Felperlaan, must be named. All in all a terrific, underrated Dutch war movie that gives another, fresh look at the Resistance during the war in Holland.
Review of Pastorale 1943
