Winter in Wartime (2008) (2024)

Popular reviews

• Review by Rafael "Parker!!" Jovine ★★★★ 6

  On The Road: The Dutch Frontier - Windmills, Bicycles, Decks and Questionable Places

  We're back with another coming-of-age story, set during our all-time favorite era: World War II. Yupeee!

  But seriously, even though it's a bit absurd the amount of war movies the Europeans seem to make, I have to give them credit, they do an excellent job of exploiting this to give us this series of great films that highlight the human element in times where humanity seems to have entirely vanished. This time around, the protagonist is a young guy who resents his father for being loyal to the Germans in order to preserve his family and the village. When his disruptive uncle visits, his natural disposition toward…

• Review by Lou (rhymes with wow!) ★★★½ 8

  When it comes to movies, we Dutch traditionally specialized in two things: sleazy trash and WWII movies. Winter in Wartime falls in the latter category (obviously). It was shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2009 Academy Awards, but it didn't end up getting nominated. Maybe if it was actually a sleazy movie, it would have? I don't know. Probably not. Martin Koolhoven (Brimstone) still should've made the sex scene between Jack and Erica more explicit, is all I'm saying. 🔥 ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

  This was certainly well made, but I didn't think it was anything too special. If only it had more intrigue, more excitement and a little less rabbit skinning (sorry, Michelle).

  [Michelle's write-up]

• Review by Andy Summers 🤠 ★★★★ 6

  When it comes to European films I'm normally guided in my choices by a few fellow LBers from the continent who help steer me in the right direction when it comes to foreign language films. Guys Like Krommedijk, who put me on to this one a while back, knows I like war films, Dutch ones especially, and this one lived up to the rating my mate gave it. Now my Dutch isn't great, but this is entitled Oorlogswinter in its native tongue, and although director Martin Koolhoven is a new name for me, I also bought his film Brimstone after another recommendation from Krommedijk. Anyone with even a passing interest in Dutch cinema should follow him, I've learned more reading…

• Review by Michelle Parsons ★★★½ 4

  Although I haven’t seen a skinned rabbit in 30+ years, the smell immediately came back to me. Thanks for having that olfactory memory unlocked, Lou. ;)

• Review by Krommedijk ★★★★ 2

  This is not what you think. I didn't watch Winter in Wartime for the fourth time - I'd give it four stars anyway. I had a great evening. The director of Brimstone and Winter of Wartime came to our local theater for an evening about film. He's travelling through the country to share the passion and explain stuff.

  He showed and explained scenes from Winter in wartime, Brimstone, Jaws, Rear Window, Once upon a time in the West, Kramer v Kramer, and Michael Caine about the importance of watching the tape while filming. There was a lot of attention to the narrative aspect of film, film as a medium and the technical aspect of film. Two hours were planned in advance, but it lasted three hours. If that ain't love for film I don't know what is.

• Review by justinC ★★★½

  Winter in Wartime is just what the title says it is, war is hell it creates struggles and in the cold it brings famine to many, during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands is where 14 year old Michiel lives with his parents with whom his father is the towns Mayor, and for the well being of his people he plays both sides of the fence when it comes to saving his people and getting along with the Nazi's, much to the dismay of Michiel who wants to be apart of the resistance.

  Winter in Wartime is another well done film showcasing the terrible times of ww2 and the Nazi occupation. following one young boys despise of the times, and his desire to help in the resistance.

• Review by EudoraFletcher ★★★½

  Coming-of-age of a 13year old Dutchboy in winter 1945. HE discovers a british pilot and feels responsible to keep him safe.
  Visually the movie has been done very well: In light shades of blue the snowy landscape has been staged very well. In-between the cold threat of the German soldiers and once and again some red blood spots.
  I also enjoyed the slow pace and the unagitated style of storytelling.

  
  letterboxd.com/eudorafletcher/list/snow-and-ice/

• Review by Nicolò Grasso ★★★

  Original Title: Oorlogswinter
  Year of Release: 2008
  Genres: Historical Drama; War
  Director: Martin Koolhoven
  Writers: Martin Koolhoven, Jan Terlouw, Mieke de Jong, Paul Jan Nelissen
  Main Cast: Martijn Lakemeier, Melody Klaver, Yorick van Wageningen, Jamie Campbell Bower, Raymond Thiry, Anneke Blok, Mees Peijnenburg, Dan van Husen

  Winter in Wartime refreshingly tackles the civilian perspective of World War II Netherlands, how people lived their day-to-day life while oppressed by the Nazi regime, unable to do or say much if they wanted to keep leading a normal life. It's fascinating, interesting, well shot, and with a really solid score by Donaggio. Sadly, any semblance of ambiguity and moral greyness is slowly changed to a clearer definition of black and white morality and…

• Review by Milo ★★★½

  2009 Films Ranked!
  Film 26/30 of Scavenger Hunt #15
  Task # 1 " A Dutch film".

  Well damn, this was actually pretty good. I didn't know what my expecations were for this film because I didn't know any of the actors or directors and had heard nothing about it before the Hunt but ended up settling for Winter in Wartime and it turns out to be a very powerful, beautifully shot World War 2 melodrama that really works well, not afraid to show the darker side of war and how it can corrupt even the most innocent people.

  For 14 year old Michiel (Martijn Lakemeier), he is tested when he finds a crashed British fighter pilot named Jack (Jamie Campbell…

• Review by THX 04 ★★★★★

  ||| THX 04 | SvdW film reviews |||
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  Pino Donnagio’s score. Magnificent.

• Review by Waldo ★★★★

  After flipping out with director Martin Koolhooven's western Brimstone I ran across a film of his on Netflix. Nazi ocuppied Holland. 1945. Fifteen year old Michiel is growing up fast watching the Nazis in town with their Heil Hitler sh*t and shooting anyone whos suspected of aiding or giving any help to any resistance. He's the mayor's kid so he gets a free pass when he's seen messing around town, the mayor is friendly with them krauts, you see. A neighbor gives him a letter with a secret location in the woods. The kid is a resistance fighter now. Coming of age story is the term that applies. A tough and moving one. Koolhooven is the real thing because this WW2 tale is really, really good.

• Review by McDoesntExcist ★★★½

  Teachers in elementary schools in the Netherlands could make a religion out of this movie