One fan hailed the lesser known war film as a ‘masterpiece’ (Image: Netflix)
A “masterpiece” war movie one fan has hailed as “on par” with Saving Private Ryan is streaming in the UK. The Forgotten Battle (2020) is a Dutch war drama dramatising the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944, in which Allied forces took on Germany’s 15th Army in a brutal battle to open up a key supply route.
The story is told through the expriences of various characters, including Marinus (Gijs Blom), a Dutch soldier who has decided to join the German army, British glider pilot William (Jamie Flatters), and Teuntje (Susan Radder), a woman from Zeeland who joins the Dutch resistance movement. Tom Felton, best known for his portrayal of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film franchise, as stars as aristocratic British officer Lieutenant Tony Turner.
The film was directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. and written by Paula van der Oest, from a story by her and Jesse Maiman.
READ MORE: Netflix fans wowed into silence by ‘masterpiece’ war film
READ MORE: New D-Day film with Band of Brothers star gets thrilling World War 2 trailer
The film is streaming now on Netflix. (Image: Levitate Film/September Films)
It was directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr., and written by Paula van der Oest, from a story by her and Jesse Maiman.
Fans have flocked to IMDb to shower the lesser-known film with praise, with one saying they’d even put the film “at par” with Steven Spielberg‘s celebrated D-Day epic Saving Private Ryan (2008) “as far as … well, everything”.
“Bravo to the Dutch for providing such an excellent cinematic experience,” they added. Another described it as a “very well-scripted, excellently acted, and cleverly and sensitively directed WW2 film”.
“For me, it caught beautifully the pain, despair and heartache of a time in our history that none of us should ever forget, but also depicted the courage, selflessness and the deep humanity of many who fought not just for their freedom, but gave us today a freedom which we should never take for granted.”
They added that were were so moved they wept at the end.
It’s streaming now on Netflix (Image: Netflix)
A third described it as an “impressive and emotionally insightful masterpiece”. “It is that simple. I was blown away with the story, the acting and most of the filming felt like you were actually present on the scene.”
A fourth wrote: “Wow. I was very surprised by this movie. This is the best movie I have seen about WW2 in a very long time. It really might rank up there with some of the best war movies.
“The odd thing is there are so many characters so they really had to crunch for time to develop the characters in the space of two hours. With the various battle sequences along the way. I just finished watching it and I’m still a bit shocked at how it got to me.”
The film has a 15 certificate and contains injury detail, suicide, and violence, so may not be for everyone.
The Forgotten Battle is streaming now on Netflix.
Whatever you’re going through, you can call the Samaritans free at any time from any phone on 116 123. Lines are open 24 hours a day. You can also email jo@samaritans.org