One of 2008's biggest hits in its native Netherlands, where it outgrossed Twilight - Biss zum Morgengrauen (2008) and The Dark Knight (2008).
The majority of the movie was filmed in Lithuania due to the absence of snow in the Netherlands. Artificial snow was used in some of the scenes that were filmed in the Netherlands, and digital snow was sometimes added in post-production. Shots had to be carefully constructed to prevent backgrounds that were obviously free of snow from being revealed.
The novel was originally aimed more at children, and was, according to writer Jan Terlouw, about taking responsibility. Director Martin Koolhoven decided to make the film with a more mature audience in mind, and more of a coming of age story about a boy who believes himself to be an adult already.
WILHELM SCREAM: During the chase scene with the horse carriage in the woods, the famous 'Wilhelm scream' can be heard when the German buggy with the two soldiers collapse and crashes.
Was voted best Dutch movie of 2008 by the Dutch Press.