The Assault (1986)
classic war movie
1 September 2000
Warning: Spoilers
One of the highlights of Dutch cinema. A very moving story about a young boy whose parents are murdered by Germans after a German officer had been shot in front of their house. Actually, the man (Ploeg) was shot in front of the neighbours' house, but was moved by the neighbours so they would survive themselves.

It's not just the well-told story that is impressing about this movie. It is also the lot of symbolical themes that gives 'De Aanslag' more strength. Like the man who killed Ploeg makes clear, later on in the movie: 'we could also have shot Ploeg in another neighbourhood, but then I would be talking to someone else right know.' Fate is an important theme. Symbol for fate: dice, returning several times during the movie.

A well-known source of criticism about this movie is the lot of coincidences in the movie. I will not argue about whether or not it is realistic, because it is simply not. But.. who cares? It's just a way to tell the story.

About as good as Harry Mulisch' novel this movie is based on. 8 stars out of ten.
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