Le Banquier de la Résistance

The story of Dutch banking employees financing the Resistance during the German occupation is a fascinating and inspiring one. I wish I could say as much for this movie. The acting was amazing, and the settings were very evocative. So was the general atmosphere pervading the underground's activities. But something was askew with the editing and/or the way in which the story unfolded. I had a lot of trouble following it especially during the middle section. I wasn't always clear on who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. I'm still glad I saw it, and would recommend it despite its shortcomings.

In spite of huge interest in films/ documentaries that are build on sub-plots from WW2, I have watched very few in languages other than English. But Netflix was constantly reminding me about their recent addition so I finally gave it a go. And I am glad that I did. It is a serious film with very few light moments and that works quite well given the plot. Also without the background noise, so the movie speaks softly just like the bankers' mission. Understated but remarkable performances by many of the lead characters, particularly by Atsma and Derwig as the van Hall brothers. Best for the Oscars!

Bankier van het Verzet, the Resistance Banker from 2018 is the true story of one of the great Dutch heroes, Walraven van Hall, who helped to finance the resistance during World War II.

The acting is superb in all respects, and it is a gripping if simplified story, and it was well-researched by the filmmakers.

Someone said they became confused in the middle - I don't know why, but I wasn't confused.

There are some uncomfortable scenes, but the film does show what the Dutch people suffered at the hands of the Nazis.

One suggestion - watch the film through the credits.

Evil thrives when good men do nothing. Walraven van Hall, his brother, and other resistance members were all good men. And they did plenty.

This movie is not bad at all but it is very disappointing to see a good story with the best actors the Dutch have to offer, is downgraded by poor editing and scripting.

The story is solid. It's small, heroic and smart. In the movie the story is not kept simple enough. I believe it's hard to follow sometimes. It leaves to many question-marks in the start of the movie. At first I thought the bankers where guarding/saving the money of Jews which where put on transport so that they could safely get it back after the war. Then I understood the bankers where raising and loaning money to fund the resistance. The way they do this is smart but the audience is puzzled because it's not explained good enough in the movie. Eventually it becomes clear that the movie is not about the way they do it... but about the risk they take doing it.

The acting is great and the look and feel of the movie is so convincing that you really feel in Amsterdam of the 1940's. The shining wooden doors and table's, the buildings, streets, the snow and the props used are great.

The pace of the movie is a bit too quick if you ask me. Editing is messy sometimes and this has a negative affect on the tention build-up. Especially in the midsection of the movie where there is a great swapping trick.

The movie certainly is worth watching because it's beautifully filmed, casted and the story is strong.

Foreign viewers will inevitably find it hard to judge the valiant actions of the protagonists in this movie at their true value. Resisting the German occupation of the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation meant risking your life as well as the life of your family, literally. What the protagonists in this move achieved was hugely important even though none of them ever fired a gun. They saved the lives of thousands with their financial machinations. Let credit be with those bankers who earned it... there are plenty who did not...