This film is based on the novel The Kaiser’s Last Kiss by Alan Judd. The time period is during the onset of WWII. Kaiser Wilhelm II is living in an isolated countryside estate near the Nazi-occupied Ultrecht in the Netherlands. At this time he is an abdicated German emperor. He is still considered to be an influential man. The biggest problem is that he would be a desirable assassination target? A German soldier, Wehrmacht Captain, Stefan Brandt is put in charge of his security. He tries to determine if the Dutch resistance has planted a spy. If so, the spy would infiltrate the home of the Kaiser in Holland. During his investigation he falls in love with a young Jewish Dutch woman, Mike de Jong. This situation is already dangerous and volatile. The powerful Reichsfuhrer Henrich Himmler is scheduled to pay the Kaiser a visit. Will Brandt be able to protect the Kaiser and Mike, the love of his life??
When the Kaiser learns that Heinrich Himmler is coming to pay a visit, he mentions that they should start counting the silver?? This is a veiled reference to a Samuel Johnson quote: “If he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.” This is a romantic WWII drama/thriller. It is fictional but it has historical elements. Guns and shooting are shown, there are images of dead bodies and one beaten, bloodied character. There is Nazi imagery and dialogue about the Nazi agenda. This could be an introduction to a part of history for some older teens.
107 min, Drama directed by David Leveaux and written by Simon, Burke and Alan Judd with Lily James, Jai Courtney, Christopher Plummer, Aubeline Barbieux, Janet McTeer, Stephane Auberghen, Ben Daniels, Martin Swabey, Martin Savage, Mark Dexter, Kris Cuppens, Eddie Marsan.
Note: Imdb 6.8 out of 10 with 9,533 views, Rotten Tomatoes 75% with 56 critics 67% with 3,489 ratings, The Guardian 2* out of 5* Peter Bradshaw, Roger Ebert Susan Wloszczyna 2 1/2*, Amazon 4.4* out 5* with 535 reviews, Letterboxd 3* out of 5*, Metacritic 60 out of 100 with 15 critics (9 positive, 6 mixed) 6.1 out of 10 with 22 user scores (12 positive, 8 mixed, 2 negative), Common Sense Media Jeffrey M. Anderson, age 17+, 2* positive, 2* role models, 3* violence, 5* sex, 4* language, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, Amazon gives the book 4.1* out of 5* with 43 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in Flanders and Brussels, Belgium. Filming was partly done at the real house of the Kaiser at Huize Doorn. The Kaiser has a withered arm and this is due to a breach birth with his left arm wrapped behind his head. The nerves to his left arm were permanently damaged and never properly developed. By adulthood, his left arm was six inches shorter than his right and his left hand withered and smaller than the right. He would conceal his condition by holding a pair of gloves in his left hand to make his left arm appear longer. Jai Courtney had to dramatically slim down for this role. It was shot immediately after Suicide Squad 2016 and he weighted up to 230 pounds with a very muscular and shredded superhero physique. The filmmakers thought this would be completely inappropriate for his role as a war time German officer. Also, he would not be able to fit into his tight military suits. He did a LOT of cardio to lose this excess muscle mass. Sigurd tells Captain Brandt to call the Kaiser and his wife Sir and Madam. The Treaty of Versailles prohibited otherwise. Brandt immediately calls him Your Highness. The WW2 Germans had utter contempt for the Treaty and everything it represented!! There are some references to Winston Churchill throughout the film. Lily James starred as Churchill’s secretary, Elizabeth Layton in Darkest Hour 2017.
Comment: Eddie Marsan is in the role of Heinrich Himmler. He makes some comments during dinner. Himmler must have been inhuman and just a low life animal creature. Also, his haircut is atrocious!!
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