Black Book
To fight the enemy, she must become one of them.
Overview
In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Black Book delves into the Dutch experience during World War II, a period often overshadowed by other narratives. It dares to portray the complexities of the Dutch resistance, highlighting collaborators and individuals motivated by personal gain rather than pure idealism, challenging some common misconceptions about national heroism.
- Carice van Houten's captivating performance as Rachel Stein/Ellis de Vries is a standout, carrying the film with emotional depth and complexity.
- The intricate and suspenseful plot keeps you guessing, filled with twists and turns that challenge your perceptions of loyalty and betrayal.
- It explores complex themes of identity, survival, morality, and the grey areas of resistance during wartime, moving beyond simplistic portrayals of good and evil.
- The film boasts excellent production design and cinematography, vividly recreating the atmosphere of occupied Netherlands and the immediate aftermath of WWII.
Fun Facts
- Director Paul Verhoeven returned to film in his native Netherlands after 20 years of directing Hollywood films, making 'Black Book' a personal project for him.
- The character of Rachel Stein/Ellis de Vries is loosely inspired by several real-life Jewish women who were active in the Dutch resistance.
- The explicit sex and violence depicted in the film caused some controversy in the Netherlands, sparking debate about the appropriate portrayal of wartime experiences.
Available Languages
English
US
Title: Black Book
"To fight the enemy, she must become one of them."
Deutsch
DE
Title: Black Book
""
Nederlands
NL
Title: Zwartboek
""
Türkçe
TR
Title: Kara Kitap
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Français
FR
Title: Black Book
"Pour combattre l'ennemi, elle doit devenir l'un d'entre eux."
Italiano
IT
Title: Black book
"Ogni sopravvissuto nasconde una colpa"
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
_**Carice van Houten plays a spy working for the Dutch Resistance during WW2**_
During the German occupation of Netherlands in WW2, a Jewess singer turned spy (Carice van Houten) gains access to the Gestapo headquarters to help the Dutch Resistance. Sebastian Koch plays a sympathetic German officer while Waldemar Kobus is on hand as the heavy. Thom Hoffman plays an agent for the Resistance.
“Black Book” (2006), aka “Zwartboek,” is a Euro WW2 film by Paul Verhoeven that balances drama, action, intrigue, romance and suspense. It’s reminiscent of contemporaneous flicks like “Inglourious Basterds” (2009) and “Valkyrie” (2008). It’s not great like the former, but it’s in the same league as the latter.
Despite its length, the story movies along swiftly, albeit awkwardly on a couple occasions. Carice shines in the challenging key role and Koch is likable. There was one scene that I didn’t find convincing, but it was forgivable. Unfortunately there’s a twist in the last act involving a character that doesn’t gel with the character’s previous actions.
The film runs 2 hours, 25 minutes, and was shot in the Netherlands with the bookend scenes filmed in Israel and studio work done in Brandenburg, Germany.
GRADE: B-
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
Haven't Nominated for Oscar