This TV movie recently turned up on Channel 5.I decided to watch it because it starred Paul Schofield who has appeared in relatively few films and none at all for the last 10 years.There are no explanations as to whether this is a true story .It incorporates many of the clichés of the last 20 years namely a bad German,played with great relish by Malcolm McDowell and a good German who aids the villagers in the quest to save the eponymous figures.It does rather stretch credulity as 5 years pass as events unfold and yet the American girl gets no older,physically or mentally,which i believe is a major drawback of this film. Paul Schofield performs a role that could have been undertaken by any elderly actor.If truth be told the film does tell a rather implausible story.
3 Reviews
An Absolute Gem!
Gunn24 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this back in 1996 and foolishly did not video tape it. Little did I know how great this film was to be. I've been waiting ever since for its return and it seems to have disappeared off the face of the Earth. It's a charming story of an American girl staying in Holland with her grandparents when the Nazis occupy the town and all of Holland. The Germans need lead for weapons and the townsfolk decide to rescue and hide the lead horses which adorn the treasured, ancient town clock. The story is very involving and well directed. The magnificent Paul Scofield leads a very talented cast. If anyone should see and enjoy this film, head to the TCM Website and do a search, and vote to have this gem put on DVD. You won't be sorry.
Nice Movie About Holland in WW2
tejetb22 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Very well acted - very good actors. Enjoyable movie.
Malcolm McDowell & Paul Scofield movies always worth watching to catch them.
Violence is alluded to - not shown; suitable film for young children - which is what the book was intended for when written.
SPOILER ALERT - when the movie gets toward the time when the SS want the Little Riders for melting down to bullets, the date on the screen states it is MAY 1945. Holland was liberated May 5, 1945 - the war ended May 7th - Hitler was dead April 30th. Germany had no infrastructure to move anything from Holland to Germany to be melted down as bullets in May 1945.
Major goof on part of the filmmakers. I have not read the book, so unknown if the gaff was taken directly from the book or by the filmmakers.
Malcolm McDowell & Paul Scofield movies always worth watching to catch them.
Violence is alluded to - not shown; suitable film for young children - which is what the book was intended for when written.
SPOILER ALERT - when the movie gets toward the time when the SS want the Little Riders for melting down to bullets, the date on the screen states it is MAY 1945. Holland was liberated May 5, 1945 - the war ended May 7th - Hitler was dead April 30th. Germany had no infrastructure to move anything from Holland to Germany to be melted down as bullets in May 1945.
Major goof on part of the filmmakers. I have not read the book, so unknown if the gaff was taken directly from the book or by the filmmakers.
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