Winter in Wartime (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

This film was just excellent from the start to finish! What more can I say???

A wonderful coming-of-age movie and an absolute must-see for WW2 buffs, especially those interested in the Resistance. The young actor featured as the protagonist was an exceptional find -- the kid can act with a capital "A". The rest of the cast had no flaws either. Really intriguing story that never misses a beat; a truly engrossing flick.If you're into war movies you'll want to add this one to your collection, without a doubt. Absolutely no doubt at all.

My family lived through the war. They lived in the town of Noordwijkerhout and its surroundings going back over 400 years. I was born during the latter part of the war. However, 11 of my siblings are older than I and a number of them were in their teens during the war. Based on the many personal stories of the war I grew up with, the movie provides a realistic review of the war and the occupation. It all took place not very far from our town. It is a gift to have a very well made movie remind us of what the war felt like. The movie is nuanced and moving. I bought a copy of the movie for myself but also to show my family and my friends.Although our family emigrated to the U.S. in 1952, it has always maintained strong connections through my extended family and the families of the many spouses (in-laws) who remained behind. Thank you for the movie. It is a great gift to have seen it and to be able to show it to others.

This might be like the 3rd WWII movie via a child's perspective, this one was good with a good twist and ending.

This is one of those movies you never heard of when it was released. I'm not sure it opened in any U.S. theater. But it's a solid, well-paced movie about a Dutch boy's experience in World War II. It's got a good surprise ending too.The acting is a bit mediocre and considering this movie was supposed to be set in the last months of the war when Holland was suffering terribly, everyone looks too well-fed and the German occupiers look like they just stepped out of a military parade. Fully equipped, clean and crisp. The vehicles are even clean and mud-free- but it's winter! Oh, and you've got the usual "how did they not catch him?" plot holes.That aside, this was a good, entertaining movie. You won't regret watching it.

This was a very good story and the actors where refreshing because unlike some American actors they are not in every other film you see.... I don't into the plot and all the college words and turn my review into a figging novel... It was well acted, intense, all about the German's taking over Holland. It kept my attention from beginning to end one of those films that you really do not think of your life or problems the entire time. Please rent ir ot buy it, its an eye opener... fresh never done before which is such a relief cause every War 2 German take over is the same old, same old... this steps above what u may have seen.... like the boy in the stripped pajamas.... only that was NOT a true story, though neither was this one... enjoy it... its worth watching.

This film is in Dutch with some German spoken and with English subtitles. I think it is a very exciting war movie and has several good story lines that made the movie a wonderful experience. It shows Nazis as regular people, and as "monsters" - just like in any society at any time in history. I hope you try, and enjoy, this movie. I do want to note there isn't a lot of shooting and blowing things up like Saving Private Ryan, but there are scenes of graphic violence you should be aware of. There is also some small amount of sexual content. Having said that, I think a child of 12 or older would be fine watching the movie.

Although I never ordered this movie I got a notice asking me if I was pleased with my purchase. Because of that, I checked out the description of the movie and downloaded it. It was a great movie. Taking place in Holland by Dutch actors, subtitles were necessary. The story showed the true desperation of the people in the village occupied by the Nazis. It had a surprising twist and was wonderfully acted by a young, but talented, cast.

I looked forward to this movie. My father grew up under occupation in Belgium. He was about the same age as the protagonist when the Germans invaded in May 1940. He was an active resistant who fled in late 1941 to eventually wash up on the shores of England in April 1943. He never talked about the time under occupation or that his brother, a year younger was a Flemish nationalist and possible fascist. My father returned to Belgium in 1946 but said he was disgusted with all the heroes hogging glory who did nothing during the war. He left and never returned living out his short life in England. So I sat down expecting something special. What this was a war movie with a contrived plot, superb cinematography and ok acting. But it did not deliver on its reviews. For example, I was not convinced by the unmasking of the collaborator, they were, when exposed making so many errors that even the 14 year old would have sprung them far sooner-let alone active resistants. For example, what collaborator would have travelled with Nazi propaganda material in their suitcase when on the run and what 14 year old in those conditions would not have gone through everyone's possessions who sheltered under their roof as a matter of curiosity, fact and survival. I think I set my sights too high and maybe I will watch it again in a year's time with less expectation.

This Dutch film is wonderful. Based on the novel by Jan Terlouw it is set near Zwolle in January 1945 when Nazi occupied Holland lies under a blanket of snow.Michiel, the Mayor's son, finds the hiding place of a crashed RAF pilot and he tries to help him escape.I do not want to give too much away .... suffice to say there are many tense and sad moments in the film.There are 3 languages in the film Dutch, German and English - the Dutch & German are subtitled in English. The photography is wonderful.The young actor, Martijn Lakemeier, who plays Michiel is very good.I recognise Yorick van Wageningen, who plays his uncle, from 2 films:The Way & The American version of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.The RAF pilot is played by Jamie Campbell Bower.This is a film well worth watching

If this is Dutch Cinema then 'give us excess of it' What a pleasure it is to see a film made for adults, for mature people. Previous reviewers have written in detail about this great film, so that it is hardly necessary to duplicate their opinions. Suffice to choose a word that adequately reflects what this film is all about. I would suggest 'Humanity'. Does that sound pretentious? It's a film that deals with the lives of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation, being occupied by a foreign power. This film is so universal that it could have been about the Roman occupation of Britain. It could easily have gone over the top in its portrayal of the Germans, as they usually appear in American films. Not one character is exaggerated. Watching it one feels that what is happening to those people could have happened to oneself. A truly memorable film. Long Live Dutch Cinema!

This is so good, I'll have to watch it again straight away. It's gripping from the start and just gets better and better until I was on the edge of my seat. Set during the Hunger Winter of the last few months of WW2 in the Netherlands, the film presents all the dilemmas and perils of people who had to choose between a sensible path of sitting it out passively until the end of the war, getting involved in the armed struggle against the Occupation or actively collaborating with it for the sake of a bit of scarce food. Cinematography and acting are excellent throughout.

A most excellent film! If it is aimed at children, give me more because I must say this was one of the most intense situations I have found a character in. The fact that there is a lack of gore is good. There is too much of that these days. Try using your imagination as we had to in the good old films.I must admit I do love all things Dutch. This film only goes to reinforce my feelings for them. I have recently revisited Anne Frank's diary. Coupling the two together I was really " in the zone". Also my small knowledge of the Dutch language helped. But don't let the sub titles put you off. Enjoy. The photography is brilliant. I felt very cold with all the snow in the scenes and as for falling through the frozen canal! Brrr. The producers have got a lot of small details just right, even the sound of the Kubelwagens. Yes, this DVD deserves all the praise.