In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 13 wins & 23 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMost actors speak more than one language in the film. Carice van Houten speaks four languages fluently in the course of the film: Hebrew in the scenes in Israel, German with Nazi soldiers, English with Canadian army personnel and Dutch for the majority of the film.
- GoofsInsulin, even injected directly into the blood stream, would not act as fast as shown to lower blood sugar.
- Quotes
Rachel Stein aka Ellis de Vries: I never knew this would happen. To fear the liberation...
- ConnectionsEdited into Zwartboek: The Special (2006)
- SoundtracksIch bin die fesche Lola
Music by Friedrich Hollaender (as Friedrich Hollaender)
Lyrics by Robert Liebmann
Performed by Carice van Houten
(c) 1930 by Ufaton-verlagsgesellschaft mbH (BMG Music Publishing Germany), Munich
Featured review
Hold on for an epic thrill ride
I attended the North American premiere of "Black Book" at the Toronto International Film Festival. Although my main interest lies in independent film, and I did see many indies as well as foreign films and documentaries in Toronto, I also saw a few of the "Gala" selections. Of those "big movies" on my list, the one which impressed me the most was this Dutch production from Paul Verhoeven. Set in Nazi-occupied Holland during World War II, the film centers around a young Jewish woman named Rachel, who changes her name (and hair, and personality, and more) to Ellis and enters an odyssey of determination and sheer luck in an effort to survive what would otherwise be certain death.
Make no mistake about it: this is an epic in the true sense of the word. The visuals are stunning. Everything about the production from the sound to the effects to the score says "big budget." The story is chock full of more twists and turns than just about any film I've seen in this genre. And just when you think that, perhaps, Verhoeven is beginning to stretch the bounds of credulity, you realize (at the end credits, if not before) that "Black Book" is based on fact.
Most of all, the film's power is due to the magnificent acting of Carice van Houten. Her Rachel/Ellis is a character so unique, so original, that it holds up against the great heroines of contemporary cinema. Combine her marvelous performance with a wonderful story and superb production values and you end up with a thrill ride from start to finish. "Black Book" left me breathless.
Make no mistake about it: this is an epic in the true sense of the word. The visuals are stunning. Everything about the production from the sound to the effects to the score says "big budget." The story is chock full of more twists and turns than just about any film I've seen in this genre. And just when you think that, perhaps, Verhoeven is beginning to stretch the bounds of credulity, you realize (at the end credits, if not before) that "Black Book" is based on fact.
Most of all, the film's power is due to the magnificent acting of Carice van Houten. Her Rachel/Ellis is a character so unique, so original, that it holds up against the great heroines of contemporary cinema. Combine her marvelous performance with a wonderful story and superb production values and you end up with a thrill ride from start to finish. "Black Book" left me breathless.
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Cuốn Sổ Đen
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $21,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,398,532
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $112,521
- Apr 8, 2007
- Gross worldwide
- $26,768,563
- Runtime2 hours 25 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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