A fantastic, authentic glimse into the constant fight for human survival.

Rating: 10/10 (24 January 2007)

Paul Verhoven has created a masterpiece - The actress in the leading role was stunning and her performance completely captivated me mind and soul. The language, the sets, the costumes - everything came together to make a excellent portrayal of life under Nazi rule during WW2. Constantly we're asked to question whom we can trust, who may in fact be a traitor, we are are forced to see how vulnerable humans can be and at the same time how cruel and wicked we can be. The sexual nature of the movie also helps to reinforce this, and make us as an audience feel guilt and shame - plus it certainly intensifies the mood. The film is unbiased and doesn't follow stereotypes - after the nasty work of the Nazis, we are treated to a scene of the dutch and other allies mis-treating those deemed traitors - it beckons the question, are we all the same at heart?. The film shows us that no matter what the cause there are good and bad people in all walks of life. A good German officer, and a poor one - a good spy, and an evil selfish resistance fighter. We are also treated to what in my view seemed like a political statement on Verhoven's behalf... after everything war goes on and the cycle turns again - in this case its the scene at the end - Palestinian/Israeli war. A nice edition! Paul has made an excellent movie and I will definitely be there for his next! It's also nice to see a movie about the dutch resistance during ww2 for a change! If Verhoven has left Hollywood for this kind of material - then more directors should follow! - Freedom to the artist only proves how fantastic cinema can truly be.