Search - Operation Amsterdam on DVD

Janice J. (dizzheart)
Reviewed on 3/18/2015...

A little known WW2 episode, based on a true story, told in a more leisurely bare bones style than we're used to these days. No CGI, black and white, no mandatory sex scenes, just what these characters actually did to keep industrial diamonds from falling into the Nazis' hands when Amsterdam fell. Haunting images of the people of Amsterdam trying to get a boat, any boat, out of Amsterdam and into England, and the people who stayed behind. Lots of action too. Great war movie.

Superior Unrecognized Historical Thriller

ringokid6 | washington, dc United States | 11/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This excellent British historical account of snatching Dutch industrial diamonds out of invading Nazi hands in May 1940 is
based on "Adventure in Diamonds", and I think much better than the book. The decisions and fears of the Dutch and Jewish diamond merchants of Amsterdam are excellently and incisively portrayed,as are the British SAS Major Dillon and his Dutch "assistants",and the "Fifth Columnist" Nazi sympathizers
in the Dutch Army.Eva Bartok is outstanding in her portait of a
Dutch woman helping the small team racing the clock and the Germans to gewt these diamonds, needed for tank, weaponry, and
ammunition production, off to Britain. The black and white film, and the photography, emphasize the mood well, as do the actual
scenery in Ymuiden and Amsterdam. Learn some exciting true history !"

Awesome film, unforgettable performances!

ringokid6 | 03/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recommend this film without reservations. I believe it has all the qualifications to be considered a timeless war classic. The script based on a real story will grab you from the beginning and you will get the impression of being there in Amsterdam as the Nazi army approaches. The director did a wonderful job in conveying the feeling of doom that engulfed that city. The performances are all notable, even from bit players, but I take my hat off to Miss Eva Bartok for a most sensitive portrayal which haunts you way after the film ended.
Go for it!"

Good World War 2 espionage movie

F. J. Harvey | Birmingham England | 11/29/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It is the early days of the war in Europe and the German war machine is victorious on all fronts ,moving across Holland on the road to eventually occupying Amsterdam .The British government is greatly concerned that e Germany will get its hands on the industrial diamonds being held in the city and at the direct instigation of Churchill they mount a mission to try to spirit the diamonds away before the Nazis get their grubby little paws on them

The mission team consists of a British army Major (Anthony Quayle)and two Dutch civilians with links to the major diamond magnates in the city (Peter Finch and Alexander Knox ).On arrival in Holland they find chaos with the roads blocked with refugees seeking to get to England and Luftwaffe raids common .There is doubt about who can or cannot be trusted and talk of spies(fifth columnists)is rife



They commandeer a vehicle and its driver a suicidal young woman -Eva Bartok -and drive to Amsterdam where the response of the diamond merchants to their plea to be handed the diamonds is mixed .The Jewish community fear reprisals and some believe the diamonds would be safer in France as they believe the French army cannot be defeated by the Germans (Obviously not students of history-they fail to realise that the French response to occuaption is traditionally "Occupy Paris-certainly sir .I presume that will be another 30,000 for dinner tonight then")



Things move to a climax with the men seeking to retrieve the diamonds from a safe as the Germans attack the bank building



The middle of the movie sags a little but it opens and closes well and benefits from some evocative moncchrome photography of a deserted Amsterdam



It is well acted especially by Eva Bartok and throws light on a neglected area of the war highlighting in particular the exemplary courage of the Dutch nation



Its not an especially exciting movie until near its end but it is enjoyable and is recommended to those seeking a new slant on the war/espionage picture"