A hard-core war film with raw violence, intense action, graphic sexuality and a twisting plot that offers a series of surprises.
Black Book
To fight the enemy, she must become one of them.
2006 · 2h 25m · R
Drama, Thriller, War
Directed by
Paul Verhoeven
Overview
In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.
Director and cast
- Paul Verhoeven Director
- Carice van Houten as Rachel Stein / Ellis de Vries
- Sebastian Koch as Ludwig Müntze
- Thom Hoffman as Hans Akkermans
- Halina Reijn as Ronnie
- Waldemar Kobus as Günther Franken
- Matthias Schoenaerts as Joop
- Theo Maassen as Prison Guard with Baret
- Derek de Lint as Gerben Kuipers
- Christian Berkel as General Käutner
- Dolf de Vries as Notary Wim Smaal
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
Verhoeven never loses sight of the larger message -- that in those evil times, ordinary people were forced to do extraordinary, and even awful, things just to live long enough to tell their tale.
Paul Verhoeven's WWII drama stars the lovely Dutch actress Carice van Houten as a Jewish Resistance worker, and costars her breasts. All three deserve awards consideration.
The happy ending demands that [Verhoeven's] return-journey film -- Black Book -- be a rousing artistic triumph. It isn't. Too many of his lazy Hollywood habits have followed him home.
Insanely entertaining -- and often just plain insane -- World War II melodrama. You may hate yourself in the morning, but you'll have to admit Verhoeven gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
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