Soldier of Orange (original title: Soldaat van Oranje) is a 1977 Dutch war drama about a group of law students and how their lives are interrupted by the outbreak of WWII. Most choose to join the resistance forces against the Germans but some choose other sides. The main character Erik escapes from occupied Holland with his friend Guus and makes several covert missions to Holland before becoming a bomber pilot and eventually the Dutch Queen’s Personal Assistant at the end of the war. ‘Orange’ in the title refers to the official name of the Dutch Royal House; ‘House of Orange’.
The story is based on the life of Dutch wartime RAF-pilot, spy and writer Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema who fled occupied Holland after the German invasion to become a decorated war hero. This autobiographical movie came out in the Netherlands in 1977 and received a Golden Globe Award nomination in 1980 for 'Best Foreign Movie'. Later on it was shown on Dutch national television as a 4-part series under the name “Voor Koningin en Vaderland” (“For Queen and Country”) containing bonus scenes not shown in the original movie.
The movie is interesting in a sense that it meant the start of an international career for a number of widely acclaimed Dutch movie personalities. The main character Erik Lanshof is played by Rutger Hauer and his close friend Guus LeJeune is played by Jeroen Krabbé. The director, Paul Verhoeven, would go on to make such classics as Starship Troopers, Total Recall and Robocop.
After downing more than a few pints, Guus (Jeroen Krabbé) comes home late to his London apartment and fires his Colt Official Police at the mirror on his bedroom door only to realize a second later he’s been shooting at his own mirror image.
Luger P08’s are carried by several German army officers and Dutch members of the Gestapo, most notably the villainous collaborator Breitner, a classic role by Dutch actor Rijk de Gooyer.
Dutch Gestapo officer Breitner (Rijk de Gooyer) carries a Walther P38 when he’s shot during the raid on the printing shop where a delegation of the Dutch resistance prepares to flee occupied Holland.
A Webley Mk IV is used in several scenes by members of the Dutch resistance forces. These revolvers were probably supplied to them from England by way of covert air-drops.
Robby Froost (Eddy Habbema) pulls a Kampfpistole from his tuxedo to shoot a flare and betray their position to German troops when his double-play with the Gestapo is exposed. Not a gun one would expect to be carried discreetly under a tuxedo…
The Lee-Enfield No.4 is the rifle most commonly carried by Allied forces, especially Dutch forces who are being trained in England for the invasion of mainland Europe.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingLee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I - .303 BritishError creating thumbnail: File missingBeing among the first few who have made it safely across from occupied Europe, Erik and Guus are greeted at their debriefing station by English soldiers with Lee-Enfield No.4’s.Error creating thumbnail: File missingGuus comes to realize that a soldier’s life also has less glorious sides. Note the special grip whereby the rifle is held by the sling so that it’s always above ground level and mud cannot easily enter the barrel.
Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III
In one scene soldiers of a Dutch army unit are seen training to be put into action against the Germans. Most of them are carrying the Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I (see above), but one is carrying the predecessor model Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III, recognizable by the more stubby front.
In footage from a German propaganda movie, a Russian Tokarev SVT-40 rifle is seen used by German troops on the Eastern front. The rifle has probably been captured due to Germany not having a semi-automatic rifle in their arsenal in the early days of the invasion of Russia. It seems odd that this particular shot has gone unnoticed by German censors at the time…
The Sten Mk II is used prominently in many scenes in the movie. During WWII, the weapon was being supplied to resistance forces in great numbers and due to it’s simplicity, the weapon could be easily taken-down and/or repaired by untrained users.
A Browning M1917 can be seen outside Dutch army barracks during the May 1940 German invasion. It would have been more correct to see either a Maxim MG08 or a Lewis machine guns as the Browning M1917 has never seen official use in Dutch service.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingBrowning M1917 machine gun with tripod and ammo box - .30-06Error creating thumbnail: File missingA guard stares in disbelief as tuxedo-clad Erik and Guus arrive on motorcycles, fresh from a graduation party, to volunteer for the Dutch army and fight the German invasion.
Lewis Gun
A fast patrol boat returning from a mission is equipped with a dual-mounted Lewis Gun on the bow.
A MG42 is seen in several scenes throughout the movie. This is historically incorrect as the scenes in question take place in 1940/41 so the MG34 would have been more appropriate.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingMG42 Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm MauserError creating thumbnail: File missingA group of German paratroopers takes a break on the first day of the May 1940 German invasion of The Netherlands.Error creating thumbnail: File missingGerman soldiers firing their boat-mounted MG42’s on a rowing boat carrying members of the Dutch resistance. Note that the bipod of the back machine gun is positioned dangerously very close to the edge of the boat cabin; if it moves forward another inch it will drop down sending bullets into the crew of the front of it.
Miscellaneous
Oerlikon 20mm cannon
In a number of scenes the Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft canon can be clearly identified, most notably by the cylindrical drum on top of the receiver and the typical round shoulder rests. It is seen both with and without a protective shield.
A Bofors 40mm cannon is seen through the telelens of Guus' camera as he spies on German fortifications along the Dutch coast. The cannon appears to have been put here just for visual purpose as it’s been placed virtually on the beach, in full view and without any cover or protection.
German paratroopers can be seen with Model 24 Stielhandgranates in their belts as they take a break during the May 1940 German invasion of the Netherlands.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingModel 24 Stielhandgranate high-explosive fragmentation stick grenadeError creating thumbnail: File missingNote the special paratrooper helmets that differ from the regular German army issue in that they have a flatter underprofile with less protection to the neck and ears.
RGD-33 stick grenade
Alex finds his volunteer service with the Dutch SS forces on the Eastern front coming to an abrupt (and rather unheroic…) end when a Russian partisan drops a RGD-33 stick grenade in his unit’s lavatory at the very moment he’s using the facility.
An unidentified piece of field artillery can be seen at the airfield from which Erik and Will Dostgaarde (Peter Faber) are taking off on their first bombing raid. Again probably just a prop to make the airfield look more war-like as crew and ammunition are missing. It may be a British 25-pounder field gun.
A Leopard I tank with added side armour plates is standing in for a German ‘Panzer’ (probably a Panther, by the look of it) during the Eastern Front scenes.
