Das große Geheimnis

A movie that is both powerful and yet gentle. Superbly acted by all concerned, especially the younger cast members, this movie is simultaneously heart-warming, suspenseful, clever and a damning indictment on war. You will smile and you may shed a tear or two. I have friends who refuse to watch movies which require subtitles. It means that they miss out on simple gems like this.

I stumbled upon this film as I was searching under the war genre, and although it is the main theme, this is a very moving story centered around the strong relationship of two little boys and how their friendship is put to the test as the war begins to affect both them and their families.

I can't stress enough how much I enjoyed the performances of those two kids.

So well acted for boys so young. I hope they both go on to further their careers in the movie industry.

I have no other choice but to give it a 10. It is a beautiful movie. Yes, the theme is "war" but the subject isn't. I saw it as a movie purely about friendship and nothing else. Yes, both boys lost their innocence due to the cruelty of war. Yes, their friendship got to be tested quite a few times throughout the movie but at the end it was their friendship that saved both boys.

Both boy actors, Maas Bronhuyzen and Joes Brauens were terrific. They conveyed their feelings and emotions in a way a seasoned actor would do. Dialogs were short and to the point without wasting viewers time with lengthy conversations trying to convince viewers about main characters feelings, emotions and thoughts. In three specific scenes the facial expressions, the emotion and the acting in general felt very real and convincing. The ending scene sealed the movie and the friendship and with no doubt it became obvious that both friends have their hearts set in the right place.

If you haven't seen it yet, make an effort then.

Very well done film. The child actors are impressive. I took my two teen daughters to a screening and they agreed it is one of the best movies they've seen. Most WWII movies center on soldiers or governments or strategy. This one shows the simplest situations of daily life for children and how huge consequences come of adult error, cowardice, and prejudice. Rather than simply demonize all supporters of Hitler's regime, the film does show with subtly how some were acting out of ignorance, others appeasement, yet others desperation--but it never excuses or dismisses the depth of consequence and responsibility, even for children.

Touching, evocative, affecting but not pretentious. This is what art should be like today. Secrets of War is scheduled for a US release in December 2015. Watch for it.

I ran across this movie while going through Amazon Prime movies. I have never been a real fan of Dutch movies, but this is absolutely the most incredible movie I have ever seen -- my new no. 1 favorite. It had me sobbing at the end. So sensitively done. Shows how friendship -- enduring friendship -- can continue whether separated by place or even death. I'll never forget this one.