Black Book (Zwartboek) Reviews
Suite101.com
The handsomely mounted, heedlessly pulpy modernist World War II thriller that "The Good German" and "Valkyrie" failed to be - a dizzying rush of daring rescues, sexual intrigue, treachery, betrayal, gunfights, hasty conclusions and harrowing consequences.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/4
CinePassion
It's the last thing a Verhoeven film should be: tasteful
Beyond Hollywood
A slick, thrilling, trashy, melodramatic and serialesque soap opera adventure which conceals the complex tale of moral ambiguity beneath.
NewsBlaze
While gleefully turning all prior war movie stereotypes on their heads, Verhoeven opts for the bizarre theory that ravishing designing women and lots of sex can change the course of world history.
Laramie Movie Scope
There are a lot of plot twists at the end of the film, maybe too many, but it will keep you guessing.
Full Review
| Original Score: B
Cinema em Cena
Verhoeven simplesmente mantém sua obsessão habitual com sexo e violência (geralmente combinando os dois), mas sem qualquer sofisticação narrativa ou visual.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/5
TheMovieChicks.com
It's engaging as an espionage thriller and as a story of courage and determination.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/5
Uruguay Total
(...) A uno le parece estar viendo más un detrás de cámaras que una película en serio, esperando que el director grite "corten" en cualquier momento y que el equipo aplauda por lo bien que salió la toma.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/5
Common Sense Media
Mature WWII drama taps into base human instinct.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Window to the Movies
Pulpy, almost James Bond-like in its mix of spy thrills, action, sex, intrigue, and bold characters.
Full Review
| Original Score: 7/10
rec.arts.movies.reviews
Although Verhoeven's plot seems far-fetched at times, it is based on actual history and casts doubt on the "Good War" mythology of films like "Saving Private Ryan".
Apollo Guide
Its failings are substantial, yet the fact that it's overblown and incredible doesn't entirely outweigh the fact that it's also exciting, fascinating, sexy, and thrilling.
Full Review
| Original Score: 72/100
Antagony & Ecstasy
Confronts us with an ugly humanity that is nevertheless unnervingly human.
Full Review
| Original Score: 9/10
Top CriticA hard-core war film with raw violence, intense action, graphic sexuality and a twisting plot that offers a series of surprises.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/4
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
It's an outrageous idea, but Verhoeven carries it off, largely on the charisma of his actors' performances.
Full Review
| Original Score: A-
Baltimore Sun
[Director] Verhoeven proves a sure-handed storyteller, which might come as a surprise, as well as a terrific visual stylist, which shouldn't.
Full Review
| Original Score: A
Urban Cinefile
It's a bombshell of a film %u2013 riveting from start to finish and great entertainment to boot
Film Scouts
Carice van Houten is an astonishing find, and if someone were on the ball she'd be world famous sooner rather than later.
Full Review
| Original Score: A-
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Contains the violence, nudity and sex we expect from a movie by Paul Verhoeven, but moves with the narrative drive and surprise of a war film from decades past.
| Original Score: 3.5/4
Panorama
Verhoeven porte un regard des plus évocateurs sur les nombreuses nuances de la Seconde Guerre mondiale
Full Review
| Original Score: 8/10
