The Worst Film Ever

Please don't spend money on this.

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

I watched this film while on a KLM flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam, so while the audio feed was appalling, I found the film to be a brilliant and powerful story. The film tells of the achievements of Admiral Michiel de Ruyter and was well made in various locations in the Netherlands; its CGI content is much to be admired. As someone with an interest in British naval history, the portrayal of the Battle of the Medway was excellent as well as pertinent. In spite of a few howlers, the film is recommended; production was amazing.

I award this movie only nine stars because nothing man-made, including this review, has been proved to be perfect so far. But "Admiral" is as close to perfection as it gets. Frank Lammers, cast as Michiel de Ruyter, is up to this challenging role. He leads the fleet of the Dutch Republic, a confederation of seven often quarreling provinces or states, against the powerful fleet of the British empire. He is an inspiring commander and a doting husband and father. He is a military tactician of the first order and a soldier's soldier. The lovely Sanne Langelar, cast as his wife and as the mother of his three children, has just as much integrity and valor as he does. When in the middle of the night a multitudinous, violent mob bent on destruction swarms around the home where she lives with her children, she confronts them alone, wearing no greater protection than a nightgown. The supporting cast is outstanding and works well together to bring alive a dynamic period of Dutch history. The Republic's success in naval warfare didn't discourage her opponents, who combined against her. This turning of events is the tragic background for the convincing performance of Barry Atsma, cast as Johan de Witt, the "Grand Pensioner" of the Republic. He poignantly portrays the transient nature of success and its dangers. Under his stewardship, the Republic scored victories against the British crown. While he earned a measure of satisfaction, those victories bred factionalism and resentment at home. As de Witt, Atsma journeys from consummate optimism to soul-crushing self doubt. His loathsome end tinged with the stench of betrayal comes when the frontiers of the Republic buckle under the combined assault of her massed enemies. Lieke Van Lexmond is sumptuously seductive and wholesome in the role of his wife, Wendela. Egbert Jan Weeber, cast as Willem III, proves himself up to the demands of his "anti- hero" role, which requires him to be principled, conniving, and remorseful at different points. Charles Dance portrays British monarch Charles II as the avatar or British power, supremely disdainful towards anyone opposed to his designs, proving that he enjoyed a degree of impunity that de Witt, who was one defeat removed from being lynched, sorely lacked. Discussing the work of all the others who made the film possible would add excessive length to this review, whose point is pretty straightforward: go watch the movie!I'm sure that the true story of how a small nation like Holland survived and prospered in Europe is rich, complex, and full of lessons. "The Admiral" is a superb introduction to this subject.

In the Netherlands, the pool of actors that can make people go to the theater is quite small. So again, we have to look at faces that got some fame from television shows, without being able to act.I was hoping to see part of the stories my history teacher told me when I was 10 years old would come to life, and maybe even make a little more sense, i.e. give some more context to cruel happenings like the killings of the De Wit bothers. I'm sad to say that this movie has some nice naval visuals, although they do not add to the story whatsoever. This movie also has the actors speak with a severe 21st century style Dutch, as opposed to something more old fashioned (compare for example the show Mr. Selfridge on how to get a more old-fashioned feel by using modern-day language).The story was a mess. I am a Dutch guy, and history to me just became more confusing: does this Willem van Orange Prins guy have good or bad intentions? What is this rivalry between 'prinsgezinden' and whatever the others where? Also, from Vlissingen to Den Haag (check Google maps), is not a short ride on a horse. Yet, Michiel de Ruyter was able to get to Den Haag in time to see the Johan de Witt die, come on!The end just has Michiel de Ruyter killed of for no obvious reason other then to get the story to a closing. This whole movie was pretty much underwhelming, bordering on disappointing.Watch 'Lek' or van 'Van God Los' (in that order) for Dutch movies that have some more quality to them. This movie is worth no more then renting or viewing on Netflix, but not the theater.

I just finished watching this movie and I was truly amazed how good and powerful this is. It made me to go to Wikipedia and do some reading about Michiel de Ruyter, because the things this man was able to achieve is simply nothing short of spectacular.It really feels like those big budget Hollywood movies it has huge sea battles, great and really believable acting also the CGI is pretty good. For those who liked the character of Tywin Lannister played by Charles Dance, well you'll find him here as a King Charles II of England. I can't recommend this movie enough, just go and watch it and you'll be amazed as well. I never give anything 10 out of 10, but this one came very close to it. Let's say 9.7.