Title: Admiral (AKA: Michiel de Ruyter)
XLrator Media
Director: Roel Reiné
Writer: Alex van Galen & Lars Boom
Cast: Frank Lammers, Sanne Langelaar, Barry Atsma, Egbert Jan-Weeber, Rutger Hauer, Charles Dance
Running time: 2hrs 2min
Rating: Unrated (violence, language, nudity)
AVAILABLE ON VOD AND iTUNES: February 23, 2016
IN THEATERS: March 11, 2016

Biopic of 17th century Dutch Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, the founder of the Dutch Marine Corps and Netherland’s best strategist. After many successful victories, the Admiral is being pressured by his doting wife Anna ( Sanne Langelaar) to retire and help raise their children, because she is tired of waiting with bated breath for him to return from each battle. The Dutch government and sovereign prince of Orange Willem II (Egbert Jan Weeber) enlist the aid of the Admiral to lead the Dutch fleet when the Netherlands is attacked by England, France and Germany.  Meanwhile the prince is being pressured to marry princess Mary-Stuart (Ella-June Henrard)  by King Charles II of England (Charles Dance, Game of Thrones),which would unite the countries and turn the Netherlands into a monarchy.  Michiel de Ruyter was not afraid to speak his mind against his prince and the government, and inspires the public to rise up against the republic.

The Good: The cinematography is amazing. The costumes are gorgeous. Actor Frank Lammers does an excellent performance in the lead role.

The Bad: The trailer is very misleading. Almost the entire film is in Dutch with English subtitles. With exception to scenes with English actor Charles Dance, you’ll be reading most of the time. Fans of Rutger Hauer will be disappointed as he’s only around for the first 8 minutes of the film.  Some of the practical effects were janky; there’s no other word I can think of to describe. The ships getting totalled by cannonballs look like someone blowing handfuls sawdust and woodchips in the actors’ faces.  Some dude gets his fingers sliced off so cleanly and there’s no blood.
[SPOILER ALERT]
There’s a scene where two men are taken into the streets and tortured by a maddened crowd. One guy yells out “I want his dick!” and the crazed man actually chops off the poor guy’s tallywacker.  I don’ t know if this line is actually translated correctly, or if it’s some Americanized laziness with the subtitles. The word “dick” was not a euphemism for penis in the 1600’s; to be accurate, they would’ve used “cock.” Just a nitpick, but one that stands out for me.

Another nitpick would be that the real Michiel de Ruyter was 69 when he died, meanwhile he’s being portrayed by 42 year old Frank Lammers. I think it would’ve been more fitting if Rutger Hauer played the part.

It’s a little unfortunate that this will probably not do well in the US mainly because our education system doesn’t touch base on war heroes other than our own; nobody knows who Michiel de Ruyter was.  If you’re a history buff, or just love historical action-dramas, give this one a shot.

Acting: B
Story: B
Technical: A

Total Rating: B+
Reviewed by: JM Willis

qd

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