"The Last Battle" (2020) can legitimately be compared to "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) and "Dunkirk" (2017). The aerial fighting is excellent. Some of the battle scenes were filmed in Lithuania as there were too many restrictions in the Netherlands. Much of the action was with water soaked land and mud.
The story focuses on a Dutch resister, a British glider pilot and a German soldier who was Dutch. The battle scenes will hit you as realistic as they are confusing and messy.
They freed up the port of Antwerp that allowed supplies to reach critical numbers of allied soldiers and push towards Berlin.
My Uncle Harold Coakwell, part of the Canadian contingent took part in the fight to liberate the Netherlands. He told me that he was conscious the Normandy invaders got more credit. The Dutch were grateful for the role of Canada freeing their country and for hosting the Royal Princess during the war. They have sent 10,000 tulip bulbs each year that can be viewed at our Parliament Building in Ottawa. By happenstance I saw the film and wrote this blog on Remembrance Day bringing on some unexpected memories.
A lot of effort went into this outstanding production and below are a few of the contributors.
Matthis van Helijningen Jr. was the director. He has 21 director credits, 10 for producer and 4 for writing.
Paula van der Oest was the script writer and an executive producer. She has two Oscar nominations. Paula has 21 writing credits, 31 directing and 10 for producing including "Black Butterflies" (2011).
Alain De Levita was the producer. He has 96 producing credits, 3 for directing and 3 for assistant directing.
Emilie Levienaise-Farrough was the composer. She has 31 composing credits and 5 for the music department.
Lennert Hillege was the cinematographer. He has 73 cinematography credits, 8 for the camera & electrical department and 1 for acting.
Mark Bechtold was the editor. He has 55 editor credits, 7 for the editor department and 1 for acting.
Gail Stevens was a casting director. She has 156 casting credits and 27 for the casting department including "The One that Got Away"(1996), "Slumdog Millionaire" (2008), "Yesterday" (2009), ""Zero Dark Thirty" (2012) and "Pele: Birth of a Legend" (2016).
Susan Radder played Teuntje Visser, a Dutch resistance fighter. She has 39 acting credits, 2 for the casting department and 1 for additional crew.
Tom Felton played Tony Turner, a British fighter. He has 56 acting credits, 2 for producing and 1 for directing including "Anna and the King" (1999), "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001), "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002) and "A United Kingdom" (2016).
Jan Bijvoet played Dr.Visser, father to Teuntje and a collaborator with Germans. He has 69 acting credits, 1 for composing and 1 for soundtrack including "Wil" (2023). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/03/wil-stuck-in-middle.html
Justus von Dohnanyi played a German officer. He is the grandson of a German resistance fighter who was executed for his role in the plot to kill Hitler. Justus has 111 acting credits, 3 for directing 3 for writing including "Downfall" (2004).
Mark van Eeuman played Pim den Oever and was an executive director. Along with Paula Van der Oest he owns a production house. He has 28 acting credits, 9 for producing and 1 for directing including "Kidnapping Mr. Heineken" (2011). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/11/dutch-movies-are-hidden-gems.html that discusses the Heineken film as well as few other Dutch films.
"The Forgotten Battle" is available subtitled and dubbed and in original Dutch, English and German on Netflix.
As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen, generally reasonable films, but not necessarily a recommendation. More information available with the links.
