How a forgotten 1944 clash became the most expensive Dutch war film ever
In short: The Battle of the Scheldt was a pivotal World War II conflict that rarely enters mainstream historical discourse. This 2020 drama reconstructs the struggle through the eyes of a Dutch Axis volunteer, a British pilot, and a local resistance member, illustrating how their paths converged during the liberation of the Netherlands.
Directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr., The Forgotten Battle explores the 1944 struggle for the Scheldt river, a campaign essential for opening the port of Antwerp to Allied shipping. The narrative weaves together three distinct perspectives: Marinus van Staveren, a disillusioned Dutch volunteer in the Waffen-SS; Will Sinclair, a British glider pilot stranded after Operation Market Garden; and Teuntje Visser, a civilian in German-occupied Zeeland drawn into the resistance after her brother is executed.
The film is notable for its scale, produced with a budget of approximately 14 million euros. It ranks as the second most expensive Dutch production in history, surpassed only by the 2006 film Black Book. While the production utilized locations in the Netherlands and Belgium, much of the principal photography was actually completed in Lithuania. The project marked a milestone for Netflix, serving as the company's inaugural Dutch-produced feature film.
Upon its release, the film achieved significant commercial and critical success. It secured the Platinum Film award for its box office performance, selling over 507,000 tickets in the Netherlands during 2021. Internationally, it found a massive audience on streaming platforms, accumulating nearly 61 million hours of viewing time within its first month on Netflix. Critics praised the film for bringing a neglected chapter of the war to life with the aesthetic and emotional weight of a traditional epic.
Beyond its technical achievements, the film was recognized for its craftsmanship, winning five Golden Calf awards in 2021, including honors for cinematography, sound, and production design. By focusing on the intersection of these three disparate lives, the film highlights the human cost of the conflict that ultimately helped secure the Dutch liberation in May 1945. It remains a rare example of a high-budget European war drama that successfully bridged the gap between local historical significance and global streaming popularity.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Forgotten Battle
- Also: The Forgotten Battle
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-the-forgotten-battle.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
