Among the many World War II films released in recent years, The Forgotten Battle stands out as one of the most ambitious and emotionally gripping. Released on Netflix in 2021, the Dutch war drama brings to life a crucial but often overlooked chapter of the Second World War: the Battle of the Scheldt.

Directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr., the film combines large-scale combat sequences with deeply personal stories, creating a powerful exploration of duty, survival, and the impossible choices faced by ordinary people during wartime.

Unlike many war films that focus on a single hero or military unit, The Forgotten Battle follows three separate characters whose lives become intertwined during one of the most important campaigns fought in occupied Europe.

Set in 1944, the story unfolds as Allied forces attempt to secure the Scheldt estuary in the Netherlands. Although the Allies had successfully liberated the Belgian port of Antwerp, the surrounding waterways remained under German control, preventing vital supplies from reaching Allied troops.

Without control of the Scheldt, the Allied advance into Europe risked stalling.

The battle that followed would become one of the bloodiest and most strategically important campaigns of the war.

At the center of the film is Marinus van Staveren, played by Gijs Blom.

Marinus is a young Dutch man fighting for the German army. Although Dutch by birth, he finds himself serving on the side of Nazi Germany, a reality that creates enormous internal conflict as the war approaches its final stages.

As Allied forces advance, Marinus begins questioning his loyalties and the choices that have brought him to this point.

His journey becomes one of guilt, survival, and moral awakening.

The second major storyline follows Teuntje Visser, portrayed by Susan Radder.

Teuntje is a courageous young woman involved with the Dutch resistance. Living under German occupation, she risks everything to help those fighting against Nazi control.

When a resistance operation goes wrong, she becomes increasingly entangled in dangerous missions that place both her life and the lives of her loved ones at risk.

Teuntje’s storyline highlights the bravery of ordinary civilians who resisted occupation despite overwhelming danger.

The third perspective belongs to William Sinclair, a British glider pilot played by Jamie Flatters.

William participates in Allied airborne operations and experiences firsthand the brutal realities of combat. After becoming separated from his unit, he must navigate unfamiliar territory while witnessing the devastating human cost of war.

Through William, viewers see the campaign from the Allied perspective, balancing the film’s broader narrative.

What makes The Forgotten Battle particularly effective is its refusal to simplify the conflict.

Rather than presenting war in purely heroic terms, the film emphasizes its complexity and tragedy. Characters on all sides face impossible choices, and survival often comes at a painful cost.

The screenplay consistently reminds viewers that war affects soldiers and civilians alike.

Families are torn apart. Communities are destroyed. Innocent people become trapped between powerful forces beyond their control.

Visually, the film is stunning.

The production recreates wartime Europe with remarkable detail, from flooded landscapes and bombed-out villages to massive military operations involving aircraft, tanks, and infantry assaults.

The battle scenes are intense and realistic without feeling overly sensationalized. Explosions, gunfire, and large-scale combat are balanced by quieter moments that focus on character and emotion.

The cinematography captures both the beauty and devastation of the Dutch countryside during wartime.

One of the film’s greatest strengths is its commitment to historical authenticity.

While the characters are fictional, the events surrounding the Battle of the Scheldt are based on real history. The campaign claimed thousands of lives and played a critical role in enabling Allied forces to continue their advance into Nazi-occupied Europe.

Yet despite its importance, the battle remains relatively unknown outside military history circles.

The film helps bring attention to this overlooked chapter of World War II.

Ultimately, The Forgotten Battle is not simply a war movie about military victory.

It is a story about humanity under extraordinary pressure. Through its three interconnected narratives, the film explores courage, sacrifice, redemption, and the lasting consequences of conflict.

Powerful, emotional, and visually impressive, The Forgotten Battle deserves recognition as one of the strongest World War II dramas of recent years and a moving tribute to those whose sacrifices shaped history.