The Resistance Banker
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founder | Joram Lürsen (director) |
| Products | Film |
The Resistance Banker () is a 2018 Dutch World War II drama helmed by director Joram Lürsen. The narrative centers on banker Walraven van Hall, who played a crucial role in funding the Dutch resistance during the wartime period. This film became the highest-grossing Dutch production of 2018 and received eleven nominations for the Golden Calf—a record number—securing four wins, including Best Film and Best Actor. Additionally, it was selected as the Netherlands' official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards, although it did not achieve a nomination.
1941
Shortly following the German occupation of the Netherlands, Nazi collaborator Rost von Tonningen is appointed head of the Dutch State Bank. Amsterdam financier Walraven "Wally" van Hall discovers that a Jewish acquaintance and his family have taken their own lives after being forced to relinquish their home to German forces. As Wally departs, he is approached by an individual known as 'van den Berg,' a member of the resistance, who inquires whether it is time to "fight back." Van den Berg operates an illicit fund that supports escaped sailors working for the Dutch government-in-exile and persuades Wally to create a similar financial network to aid resistance fighters in Amsterdam.
Von Tonningen informs Wally's brother, Gijsbrecht "Gijs" van Hall, about suspicions regarding unlawful activities and the withdrawal of high-value currency notes from circulation. Wally enlists Gijs to assist in managing the resistance fund, rapidly distributing collected large-denomination banknotes. Their achievements prompt them to expand fundraising efforts to include smaller denominations. Under the pseudonym "van Tuyl," Wally meets with resistance leaders and develops an organized financial system with himself as banker, supported by a thirty million guilder guarantee from the government-in-exile. In response, Von Tonningen deploys SS intelligence agents to uncover the clandestine bank; they apprehend a resistance member who divulges Wally's alias under interrogation.
1944
Resistance courier Jeanette Veentra is caught carrying pro-Dutch newspapers after faltering before a German patrol. Her partner, Jonas van Berkel, appeals for her release but faces a harsh choice due to his affiliation with the resistance: cooperate in capturing fellow members or face imprisonment. Van Berkel negotiates assistance in locating van Tuyl in exchange for Veentra’s freedom.
The exiled government calls for a nationwide railroad strike but confronts insufficient funds. Wally devises a plan to steal treasury bonds from the State Bank and substitute them with forged copies. While securing ink for the counterfeit bonds, a local barber narrowly prevents his capture by German forces; meanwhile, the ink supplier is killed attempting to flee. After witnessing this event, Wally goes into hiding.
The Germans capture and execute Van den Berg following his visit to a compromised resistance safe house. This causes several resistance members to retreat out of fear. Van Berkel and Veentra orchestrate an ambush resulting in multiple fatalities and the arrest of Jaap, a close ally of the van Halls.
Wally finalizes the forged bonds and carries out the operation amid intense risk. Gijs confronts Dutch officials who are upset that more treasury bonds were stolen than authorized by the government-in-exile; he insists they lack understanding of life under German occupation.
1945
In January 1945, Wally makes a brief visit home to reunite with his family. Resistance operatives, including Huub, trail van Berkel to a church where he meets with a German officer. Van Berkel escapes, the officer is killed, but Huub is apprehended and cooperates with the enemy, resulting in the arrest of additional resistance members and the compromise of a crucial safehouse. Wally is also detained, though the Germans do not recognize him as van Tuyl.
Gijs alerts Tilly about Wally’s detention and advises her to go into hiding while he continues their efforts. Under pressure, Huub discloses Wally’s true identity to the Germans. During interrogation by von Tonningen, Wally remains defiant and mocks his captor. Ultimately, he is executed by firing squad alongside fellow prisoners.
Gijs informs Tilly about Wally’s execution. The resistance retaliates by executing van Berkel. After the Netherlands is liberated by Allied forces, von Tonningen is arrested and is suggested to have died in custody under suspicious circumstances disguised as suicide.
Following the war, Dutch authorities question Gijs about his story; he produces official documents detailing every financial transaction related to their activities. An official requests that Gijs maintain confidentiality due to potential government involvement in bank fraud. Gijs consents and departs.
Cast
- Barry Atsma as Walraven van Hall
- Jacob Derwig as Gijs van Hall
- Pierre Bokma as Meinoud Rost van Tonningen
- Raymond Thiry as Van den Berg
- Steef de Bot as Jonas van Berkel
- Fockeline Ouwerkerk as Tilly van Hall
- Jochum ten Haaf as Jaap Buijs
- Matteo van der Grijn as Huub van Schie
- Ali Zijlstra as Jeanette Veentra
- Götz Schubert as SD Officer Friedrich Viebahn
Box office
The Resistance Banker earned $4 million at the Dutch box office.[1][2]
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating based on 5 reviews, averaging 7.1/10.[3]
See also
- List of Dutch submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of submissions to the 91st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
External links
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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