Admiral

The Netherlands in the seventeenth century. Michiel de Ruyter is the ablest commander in the fleet; the wars with England continue and the country is at the same time divided against itself. On one side is the republican government, on the other those who want the House of Orange. De Ruyter wins at sea and can protect nobody on land; the political leaders, the De Witt brothers, are lynched and the country changes direction. Roel Reiné directs. Frank Lammers plays De Ruyter. It was made as one of the most expensive Dutch films, with the naval battles built at large scale through computer effects. What interests it is politics rather than heroism. All of De Ruyter's successes stay in the shadow of domestic politics, and the narrative describes a divided country rather than building a national epic. The lynching of the De Witt brothers is a historical event and among the most argued over moments in Dutch history; the film shows it directly. It became the subject of an argument about historical accuracy in the Netherlands, with some historians saying the characters and events had been simplified. The naval battles are the strongest element and the tactics of the period are shown. Who it is for: viewers who like naval warfare films and European historical production. Who it is not for: there are many characters, the political background is dense, and the effects show in places.