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- 146 Minutes
- Sony Pictures Classics
- Language Dutch with English subtitles
- Country Netherlands
- Rated: R
- Format: Widescreen
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- Directed by Paul Verhouven
- Written by Gerard Soeteman, Paul Verhoeven
- Starring Carice van Houten, Halina Reijn, Sebastian Koch, Thom Hoffman, Waldemar Kobus
In the darkest days of World War II, Jewish fugitives attempt to escape occupied Holland -- only to face a Nazi ambush. Rachel Stein (van Houten) alone survives the attack and joins the Dutch Resistance to avenge her family. She soon confronts the ultimate test: she must infiltrate German headquarters by tempting Captain Ludwig Mÿntze (Hoch). In the heat of passion, he uncovers her duplicity... but keeps her secret. Then Rachel's espionage reveals that a murderous traitor lurks within Resistance ranks. Unable to fully trust anyone, Rachel navigates a minefield of deception and becomes an enemy to both sides. Epic, passionate, breathtaking, BLACK BOOK relates an untold story of World War II where the distinctions between good and evil become blurred by the complexities of human nature.
"An ambitious throwback to the days of rousing all-action wartime pictures." -- Ray Bennett, VARIETY
(Read more)- More on Black Book:
- Official film Web site
- Interview with director Paul Verhouven
Comments
This film is a near masterpiece. I was so entertained and moved by it that it did not even seem as long as it 's actual running time which was something close to two and a half hours. The performance by Carice Van Houten in the lead is one of the best film performances I have seen in years. Parts of the film which lead up to suspenseful moments reminded me of scenes out of some of Hitchcock's films and the melodramatic soundtrack was excellent. There's a lot more going on in this film than meets the eye. Like homages paid to old Hollywood melodramas. Forget any negative or sour reviews given this film and there are a few out there. I could easily watch this film a second and third time. It grips you right from the start and doesn't let you go till its ending. Great stuff by dutch film director Paul Verhoeven who I have always admired since the early dutch films he made in his own country. Not to be missed!
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