War Colors Friends in ‘Soldier of Orange’

When the Nazis occupy Holland, a university student (Rutger Hauer) joins the Dutch resistance in the compelling World War II saga “Soldier of Orange.”

The Dutch film, based on the autobiography of war hero Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, focuses on Erik and his privileged university companions as they trade textbooks for the weapons of war.

Near the start of the movie, the students gather for a toast and a photograph. Although the diverse group includes a boxing champ who is Jewish, a Nazi sympathizer and a self-interested playboy, their differences seem to matter little.

Inflamed by war, however, their loyalties to family and ideals loosen the ties between some of them while binding others tighter. Still, even when fighting the war on opposite sides, the men often cling to their friendships.

The action revolves around the often costly attempts to thwart Nazi plans, but the film’s real strength comes from its realistic characters. The men are often heroic, but also human, capable of petty cruelties as well as self-sacrifice, nobility and betrayal.

Hauer is excellent as Erik and captures perfectly the character’s evolution from carefree, disengaged student into a patriot. As his friend Gus, Jeroen Krabbe has just the right balance of mischievousness, smugness and bravery.

In one scene, a British officer hands a cyanide pill to Gus, who is embarking on a dangerous spy mission. The officer tells him to take the cyanide “should anything go wrong.”

“What flavor is it?” Gus asks, grinning. “Orange or lemon?”

The unrated movie contains several scenes with nudity, although scenes of violence are tame by contemporary standards.

The film is available in English-dubbed and subtitled versions.

“Soldier of Orange” (1978), directed by Paul Verhoeven, 144 minutes. Not rated.