Zhivagoesque epic for Nazi-occupied Europe

Rating: 9/10 (26 November 2007)

Black Book (from the Dutch Zwartboek) is a wonderfully casted and executed World War II movie about the Nazi oppression of conquered peoples that doesn't stereotype anyone. It also doesn't pull any punches about the brutality of the Nazis toward the Jews, the brutality of the Nazis toward any of the localsin this case the Dutchwho dared to object to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to worship the Fuhrer, and the treachery within the ranks of the Reich's victim classes.
Aside from some PC reservations, this movie doesn't make a false step; it deserves a ranking among the best noncombat World War II movies I've seenmany of which were made in a different era, closer to the war. What distinguishes Black Book, for movies war and nonwar, is the lead role: like Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) in Alien, Rachel Stein (Carice van Houten) is a true-to-life heroine.
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Brian Wright Copyright 2007