| | Black Book DVD (2 Customer Reviews)
| Category | Foreign Films DVDs, Dramas Movies, Thriller Videos, Mystery, Romance, War, World War II, Nazis | | Starring | Sebastian Koch, Carice Van Houten, Thom Hoffman, Derek De Lint, Christian Berkel, Peter Blok, Michiel Huisman, Halina Reijn | | Director | Paul Verhoeven | | Composer | Anne Dudley | | Director of Photography | Karl Walter Lindenlaub | | Producer | Jos van der Linden, San Fu Maltha | | Screenwriter | Paul Verhoeven, Gerard Soeteman |
In the darkest days of World War II, a Dutch Resistance cell enlists a sexy spy (Carice van Houten) to go undercover inside a Nazi stronghold - where she discovers that the enemy is all too human. Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven made his name in Hollywood with films such as ROBOCOP, BASIC INSTINCT, and STARSHIP TROOPERS. But Verhoeven got his start in the industry by making films (the acclaimed SPETTERS and SOLDIER OF ORANGE among them) in his native country, and it's to Holland that he returns for BLACK BOOK--his first Dutch film in 20 years. The story is set during the final days of World War II in Holland, and follows a Jewish singer named Rachel Stein (Carice Van Houten). Rachel attempts to avoid the Nazis and remains in quiet hiding until her family is brutally slain, causing her to join up with a resistance movement. On a subsequent undercover mission, Rachel crosses paths with a smitten German general named Ludwig Muntze (Sebastian Koch), with whom Rachel begins a relationship in order to feed vital information back to her colleagues in the resistance. But as the action and bloodshed escalate, Rachel realizes that she has genuine feelings for Muntze, and soon she is in enormous danger.
Verhoeven's film is wildly ambitious and takes many intriguing twists and turns during its 145 minutes. BLACK BOOK commanded the largest budget of any film to be produced in Holland, and it shows. Explosions litter the screen, plenty of car chases ensue, and wince-inducing injuries and deaths propel the action. The director isn't afraid to criticize his fellow countrymen and inserts a fascinating subtext about the actions of the resistance fighters, asking some uncomfortable questions about the similarities between their behavior and that of the Nazis. Van Houten lights up the screen throughout and is surely destined for bigger things, and while the tumultuous experiences her character undergoes might push the boundaries of reality at times, Verhoeven has pointed out in interviews that Rachel is a composite character who encompasses the merged experiences of many real people from the era. Black Book Reviews: "BLACK BOOK remains riveting from start to finish, confirming that nail-biting suspense transcends national boundaries. This is a thriller that truly thrills."-- Stephen Farber, Movieline's Hollywood Life 3 stars out of 5 -- "Van Houten is superb as the chameleonic Stein, constantly adapting to her environment to survive and yet always maintaining an unbreakable, virtuous spirit..."-- Chris Prince, Ultimate DVD "The expensive and expansive BLACK BOOK looks gorgeous, and there's no denying Verhoeven's genuine filmmaking talent..."-- Shlomo Schwartzberg, Box Office 4 stars out of 5 -- "BLACK BOOK is brisk, frisky and glossed with a fine Hollywood sheen..."-- Matt Mueller, Total Film 4 stars out of 5 -- "For all its feisty sense of fun, BLACK BOOK is too dark and smart to let its characters fade out into a soft-focus happy-ever-after."-- Hannah McGill, Uncut "[I]t is a fast-paced, action-packed ride through resistance and betrayal, with spectacular exploits, steamy sex scenes and more plot twists than can be counted."-- Ginette Vincendeau, Sight and Sound 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]his tremendously exciting film can suddenly, unpredictably move you to tears."-- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone 4 stars out of 4 -- "BLACK BOOK is Verhoeven's best film since ROBOCOP: audacious, smart, shamelessly entertaining."-- Glenn Kenny, Premiere Black Book | List Price | $14.94 (You save $5.15) | | Studio | Sony Pictures Home Entertainment | | Orig Year | 2007 | | All Time Sales Rank |  7479  | | CD Universe Part number | 7480971 | | Catalog number | 18495 | | Discs | 1 | | Release Date | Sep 25, 2007 | | Rating | R (MPAA) | | Rating Reason | for some strong violence, graphic nudity, sexuality and language. | | Also Known As | Zwartboek | | Running Time | 146 Minutes | | Additional Info | Widescreen; Subtitled | | Movie Details | Color; Widescreen; Subtitled |
Black Book Movie Review Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)  Excelent!!
Riveting. Hits the target.
Submitted by candidprocessing (NY city USA) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No intrigue at its best
I agree with my previous commentators; This is an excellent film. Quite long but always moving with interest and plot surprises along with the mystery of who is the informer? Carice Van Houten makes the film what it is--- exceptional.
Submitted by Jimfowler (Corpus Christi Texas)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Truly great WWII Film in every aspect!!!!!
Ok, we have all seen a million and one films on World War II out there, but I must admit that THe Black Book is one of the best ones out there I have ever seen. First of all, how many World War II films out there deal with occupied Holland and the Dutch resistance? The acting, characters, and story line are interwine to make this one of the entertaining and thought provoking World War II films out there. Yes, it is subtitled in English from Dutch and German, but come on, this adds to the film's authenticity. Trust me, you won't be disappointed by Black Book. The only problem is the wait for the film to come out on DVD! Two big thumbs up for The Black Book!!!!!
Submitted by Scott (Dallas, TX, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
This review is for a different format. Strong realistic setting
No extreme special effects but a realistic account for some of the events that happened during WW II. You will be surprised who is the actual traitor.
Submitted by Ton van Heusden (Netherlands)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
This review is for a different format. | Have you seen this movie? |  |
Black Book DVD In the darkest days of World War II, Jewish fugitives attempt to escape occupied Holland -- only to face a Nazi ambush. Rachel Stein (Carice van Houten) alone survives the attack and joins the Dutch Resistance to avenge her family. She soon confronts the ultimate test: she must infiltrate German headquarters by tempting Captain Ludwig M˙ntze (Sebastian Hoch). In the heat of passion, he uncovers her duplicity...but keeps her secret. Then Rachel's espionage reveals that a murderous traitor lurks within Resistance ranks. Unable to fully trust anyone, Rachel navigates a minefield of deception and becomes an enemy to both sides. Epic, passionate, breathtaking, Black Book relates an untold story of World War II where the distinctions between good and evil become blurred by the complexities of human nature.
Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Full Frame -
1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Dutch
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional
Black Book Video 13 Rue Madeleine, Angry Harvest, Army of Shadows, Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary, Defiance, Downfall, Flame & Citron, Good, Lust, Caution, Operation Valkyrie, Pianist, Shining Through, Sophie Scholl: The Final Days, Woman in Berlin Purchase Black Book Movie To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Aguirre, The Wrath Of God DVD (1973)
Black Book film
 $12.85  
Based on the journals of Brother Gaspar de Carvajal, AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD is director Werner Herzog's hallucinatory tale of Spanish colonialists searching for El Dorado, the legendary city of gold, in 16th-century Peru. When the travellers reach an impasse, a scouting party is assembled to search for any traces of the mythical empire. As they attempt to forge their way through the dense jungle, more and more of the party falls ill while their ruthless leader, Don Lope de Aguirre (Klaus Kinski), grows increasingly insane.
Widely considered to be Herzog's finest film, AGUIRRE, which shares much in common with Francis Ford Coppola's APOCALYPSE NOW, highlights the director's visionary approach to filmmaking. Like Coppola's film, accounts of AGUIRRE's shooting are laced with legendary incidents, such as the time Herzog reportedly held a gun to Kinski's head to get him to finish a scene. Whatever transpired between Herzog and Kinski, it made for astonishing cinema, as evidenced by the actor's haunting performance and the entire film's powerfully hypnotic mood.
Standard Screen; Soundtrack English; English Subtitles; Director's Comments; Behind The Scenes
| | Swimming With Sharks DVD (1995) Widescreen
Black Book review
$10.29
A motion picture executive's assistant puts up with his abusive boss up to a point and then completely snaps in this ultra-dark comedy from first-time director (and former Hollywood assistant) George Huang.
| | Hard Eight DVD (1997) Widescreen
Black Book DVD
$10.39
Sydney (Philip Baker Hall), a mysterious professional gambler, befriends John (John C. Reilly), a young man in trouble, and teaches him the ways of making a living in the casinos of Reno. John gets involved with Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow), a pretty waitress who doubles as a prostitute, and Jimmy (Samuel L. Jackson), a two-faced criminal. When trouble erupts, suddenly Sydney has to rescue his young friend, but a secret from his past threatens to destroy everything he has tried to build up.
Director Paul Thomas Anderson's highly acclaimed debut feature (based on the films of Jonathan Demme and John Cassavetes) is a tight, intricate film noir character study with a more disciplined plot than his later, more expansive films. The film also features excellent work from his four actors, particularly Hall as the experienced, world-weary Sydney, and fascinating details about the lowlife world the characters inhabit. HARD EIGHT originated as a short film, CIGARETTES AND COFFEE, that Anderson developed at the Sundance Film Institute.
Closed Captioned; Standard Screen; Additional Footage; Soundtrack English; English Subtitles; Behind The Scenes
| | Multiplicity DVD (1996) Full Frame; Keep Case
Black Book movie DVD
$9.79 
In this highly original comedy, an overworked family man (Michael Keaton) who doesn't have time to do everything he'd like finds a creative solution--he clones himself. Not just once, however--he winds up with four slightly different versions, counting the original. Of course, all is not as easy as it seems, and the clones quickly become a handful for the already stressed-out original.
Closed Captioned; Standard Screen; Soundtrack English; Soundtrack French; Soundtrack Spanish; English Subtitles
| | One Night At Mccool's DVD (2001) Widescreen
Black Book video
$16.89 
The title refers to the night when three men, Randy (Matt Dillon), his cousin Carl (Paul Reiser) and Detective Dehling (John Goodman), all meet Jewel Valentine (Liv Tyler) at a bar called McCool's. Actually, they don't so much meet her as fall under her spell when they first lay eyes on her. In her clinging red dress she looks like a cross between a beautiful damsel in distress and the Lady In Red looking for John Dillinger. The story begins with Randy, desperate to be rid of Jewel, hiring a sleazy hitman, played by Michael Douglas in an outré toupee. His story of how Jewel led him to ruin, filmed in a stylized flashback bathed in blue, is mirrored by Carl talking to his therapist--played with a delicious verve by Reba McEntire, and Detective Dehling talking with a priest; each telling their own stories of obsession with Jewel. Tyler is clearly beautiful, but it's the evil, scheming side of her character--delivered with voluptuous softness and irresistible badness--that makes the men's actions, however ridiculous they become, feel completely believable. Dillon, Goodman, and Reiser are all type cast in their familiar personas, but the story moves quickly, the dialogue doesn't have that forced sitcom feel, and a running gag involving a wooden Indian builds to an amusing pay-off.
| | Skin Deep DVD (1989) Widescreen
Black Book film
$9.85 
Blake Edwards's return to the male-in-meltdown territory he explored in 10 and THAT'S LIFE stars John Ritter as unemployed writer Zach, who is not only suffering from writer's block, but his drinking is out of control, as is his obsessive womanizing, and, not surprisingly, his wife wants to end their marriage. To add to his problems, his house has just burned down, and his agent is knocking at death's door. But since this is a Blake Edwards comedy, Zach has enough charm and relative affluence to continue his pursuits, which the director regards with a bemused deatchment. One of his girlfriends sets his piano on fire, and another gets him to wear a glow-in-the-dark condom, allowing him to engage in a condom duel with her jealous, similarly clad rock-star boyfriend. Eventually, Zach turns to fatherly bartender Barney (Vince Gardenia), who should have long ago cut off his bar tab, and psychiatrist Dr. Westford (choreographer Michael Kidd), and both tell him to stop destroying himself through drink. Ritter rings some surprisingly complex changes in the wildly farcical film, and, in the condom battle, participates in one of the funniest moments ever committed to celluloid while suggesting an interesting new subtext.
Closed Captioned; Standard Screen; Soundtrack English; Soundtrack French; English Subtitles; DVD Included
| | Lassie - Best Of Jeff's Collie DVD (2003)
Black Book review
$5.75
The LASSIE television programmes have transcended all trends in children's TV schedules over the years. The loveable canine and his pals have undertaken exciting adventures that have won over generation after generation of viewers. Collected here are some of the best moments from the show.
Closed Captioned; Standard Screen; Soundtrack English
| | Planet Of Dinosaurs DVD (1978)
Black Book DVD
$10.45
Far into the future, the crew of the starship Odyssey crash-lands on a prehistoric planet populated by gigantic flesh-eating dinosaurs. The 1978 science-fiction film PLANET OF DINOSAURS follows the stranded astronauts as they try and stake their claim on the harsh and primitive environment surrounding them.
Celebrating the film's 30th anniversary with a special collector's edition, this James K. Shea film represents one of the last, great stop-motion animation films to be produced. The film features a plethora of prehistoric beasties on a far-off planet where space travelers battle for their very existence. James Whiteworth stars, but the real stars are the dinosaurs, expertly brought to life by animators Doug Beswick, Steve Czerkas, and Jim Aupperle. Extras include commentary track, TV spots, Willis O'Brien silent shorts, and documentaries.
| | Dr Plonk DVD (2008) (Import)
Black Book movie DVD
$31.45
Rolf de Heer (Ten Canoes) has spun back cinematic time to the days of Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin with an energetic, funny, adventure-filled farce. Starring Magda Szubanski, Nigel Lunghi, Paul Blackwell and introducing Reg the dog! DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: The Making of DR PLONK, Juggling DR PLONK, The Ball Crazy Dog, The Hand Cranked Camera, The DR PLONK Score, Original Theatrical Trailer, Australian Teachers of Media Study Guide LANGUAGES: English SUBTITLES: English
| | Talk More Arabic Classic DVD (2008)
Black Book video
$18.25
Standard Screen
| | Inspector Lynley Mysteries 6 DVDs (2007)
Black Book film
$19.49
Suave, sophisticated Detective Inspector Lynley and prickly, working-class Detective Sergeant Havers--two detectives who could hardly seem to be worse matched, but their shared passion for justice makes it work. Their partnership is tested to new levels in these final two episodes of the much-acclaimed British mystery series.
Closed Captioned; Standard Screen; Soundtrack English
|
|
|
Email a Friend
