Introduction
The Forgotten Battle (original Dutch title: De Slag om de Schelde), directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. and released on Netflix in 2021, is an epic World War II drama that sheds light on one of the most crucial yet often overlooked battles of the war: the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944. Set against the backdrop of the final months of Nazi occupation in the Netherlands, the film interweaves the lives of three individuals — a Dutch resistance fighter, a British glider pilot, and a reluctant German soldier — whose paths converge amid the chaos and carnage of war.
Rather than focusing on the well-trodden stories of Normandy or Stalingrad, The Forgotten Battle offers a fresh and deeply human perspective on a lesser-known but strategically vital conflict. Through its gripping storytelling, nuanced characters, and sweeping cinematography, the film explores not just the brutality of war but also the profound moral complexities and human cost that accompany it. It is both a tribute to the courage of those who fought in the Scheldt estuary and a poignant reminder that even “forgotten” battles shaped the course of history.
Historical Context: The Battle of the Scheldt
To fully appreciate the film, it’s important to understand the historical events that inspired it. After the Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944 and the subsequent liberation of much of France and Belgium, the Allies faced a critical logistical challenge: supplying their advancing armies. The port of Antwerp in Belgium, captured largely intact in early September 1944, could have dramatically improved the supply situation. However, the Scheldt estuary — the waterway connecting Antwerp to the North Sea — remained under German control, rendering the port useless.
The Battle of the Scheldt, fought from October to November 1944, was the Allied campaign to clear German forces from the region. It was one of the most grueling and strategically vital battles of the Western Front. The fighting took place in flooded fields, dykes, and mudflats of the Dutch Zeeland province, where Canadian, British, Polish, and Belgian forces fought fiercely against entrenched German troops. The battle cost more than 12,000 Allied casualties and thousands more on the German side. Yet its success opened Antwerp to Allied shipping and ensured the logistical support needed for the final push into Germany.
Despite its importance, the Battle of the Scheldt has often been overshadowed by other operations, such as Operation Market Garden. The Forgotten Battle seeks to redress this imbalance, highlighting the immense sacrifices made in Zeeland and restoring the battle to its rightful place in the historical narrative.
Plot Overview: Three Lives Intertwined by War
The Forgotten Battle tells its story through three parallel narratives, each representing a different perspective on the conflict: that of the occupied, the liberators, and the occupiers.
1. Teuntje Visser – The Civilian Turned Resistance Fighter
Teuntje Visser (played by Susan Radder) is a young Dutch woman living in Middelburg under Nazi occupation. Her father is a respected notary, and her brother Dirk is secretly involved with the resistance. When Dirk is captured and executed by the Germans for smuggling reconnaissance photos to the Allies, Teuntje is thrust into the resistance movement herself. Initially hesitant, she is driven by grief and a desire for justice, taking on dangerous tasks such as transporting sensitive information.
Through Teuntje’s story, the film captures the perilous world of civilian resistance in occupied Europe — a world of coded messages, hidden weapons, and constant fear of betrayal. Her transformation from an ordinary woman into a committed freedom fighter is one of the film’s emotional anchors, illustrating how war forces ordinary people into extraordinary roles.
2. William Sinclair – The British Glider Pilot
William Sinclair (played by Jamie Flatters) is a young British glider pilot who participates in Operation Market Garden, the ambitious but ultimately failed Allied attempt to establish a bridgehead into Germany through the Netherlands in September 1944. When his glider crashes behind enemy lines, Sinclair and his surviving comrades find themselves deep in hostile territory. Determined to rejoin Allied forces, they navigate the flooded and treacherous Zeeland landscape, facing German patrols and the constant threat of death.
Sinclair’s narrative represents the Allied soldiers’ perspective — young men far from home, driven by duty, courage, and camaraderie, yet deeply vulnerable to the chaos of war. His storyline is also a reminder of Market Garden’s failure and its consequences, setting the stage for the brutal campaign that follows in the Scheldt.
3. Marinus van Staveren – The Reluctant German Soldier
Marinus van Staveren (played by Gijs Blom) provides the film’s most complex and morally ambiguous perspective. A Dutch volunteer in the Waffen-SS, Marinus joined the German army out of ideological conviction or youthful naivety, but the horrors he witnesses on the Eastern Front and later in Zeeland shatter his illusions. Disillusioned and traumatized, Marinus begins to question his loyalty to the Nazi cause. His growing internal conflict leads him to make choices that place him at odds with his comrades and eventually bring him into contact with the resistance.
Through Marinus, the film explores themes of guilt, complicity, and redemption. He is neither a caricatured villain nor a hero but a deeply human figure wrestling with the consequences of his choices — a perspective rarely explored in World War II cinema.
Themes: Morality, Sacrifice, and the Human Cost of War
The Forgotten Battle is more than a war film; it is a meditation on the moral complexities of conflict and the human stories behind historical events.
1. Moral Ambiguity and Individual Choice
The film’s greatest strength lies in its refusal to present the war in simple terms of good and evil. Instead, it explores the gray areas in which most people lived and acted. Teuntje’s transition from neutrality to resistance, Marinus’s crisis of conscience, and Sinclair’s struggle to survive all reflect the difficult moral choices individuals faced in wartime.
Marinus’s storyline, in particular, challenges viewers to consider how ordinary people become complicit in evil — and whether redemption is possible. His internal conflict mirrors the broader moral reckoning that many Europeans faced during and after the war.
2. The High Cost of War
The film does not shy away from portraying the brutal realities of war. Battles are depicted with stark realism, emphasizing confusion, fear, and suffering rather than glorified heroism. Civilian suffering is also central to the story: homes are destroyed, loved ones are lost, and communities are torn apart. Teuntje’s grief over her brother’s execution and the devastating civilian toll of the Scheldt campaign underscore that war’s consequences extend far beyond the battlefield.
3. Resistance and Identity
Teuntje’s arc also highlights the significance of resistance as a form of asserting identity and agency under occupation. Initially resigned to living under Nazi rule, she finds purpose and empowerment through resistance, even at great personal risk. Her journey reflects the broader Dutch experience of occupation — a story of resilience, defiance, and sacrifice.
Cinematic Style: Realism and Scale
Director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. approaches The Forgotten Battle with a commitment to authenticity and emotional depth. The film’s cinematography captures the stark beauty and devastation of the Zeeland landscape — a world of flooded polders, muddy dykes, and ruined towns. The natural environment is not just a backdrop but an active force shaping the battle and the characters’ experiences.
Battle scenes are staged with unflinching realism. The chaos of glider landings, the terror of ambushes, and the confusion of infantry assaults are portrayed with visceral intensity. The film avoids sensationalism, instead immersing viewers in the disorienting and terrifying reality of combat. The use of practical effects and minimal CGI enhances this sense of authenticity.
The pacing of the film is deliberate, balancing action sequences with quieter, character-driven moments. This approach allows the audience to connect emotionally with the protagonists and reflect on the broader themes the film explores. The film’s multilingual dialogue (Dutch, English, and German) further grounds it in historical realism and enhances its immersive quality.
Performances and Character Depth
The film’s ensemble cast delivers strong performances that anchor the story’s emotional weight. Susan Radder shines as Teuntje, capturing both her vulnerability and growing strength. Her portrayal is deeply human, showing how grief and injustice can transform an ordinary person into a courageous resister.
Jamie Flatters brings authenticity and humanity to William Sinclair, portraying him not as a stereotypical war hero but as a young man struggling with fear, loss, and responsibility. His character’s journey underscores the courage and sacrifice of countless Allied soldiers.
Gijs Blom delivers one of the film’s most compelling performances as Marinus. His portrayal of a conflicted soldier grappling with guilt and disillusionment adds depth and complexity to the narrative. Blom’s nuanced performance prevents Marinus from becoming a villain or a victim, instead presenting him as a deeply flawed human being seeking redemption.
Historical Significance and Educational Value
One of The Forgotten Battle’s most important contributions is its role in bringing the Battle of the Scheldt to wider public attention. While overshadowed by more famous campaigns, the battle was pivotal to the Allied advance. Without control of the Scheldt, Antwerp — one of Europe’s largest ports — could not be used, crippling the Allied supply chain. The sacrifices made in Zeeland were instrumental in sustaining the push into Germany and ultimately securing victory in Europe.
The film’s depiction of this campaign, while dramatized, is grounded in historical reality. The flooded terrain, the strategic importance of the region, and the multinational composition of Allied forces are all accurately portrayed. By weaving personal stories into this historical context, the film makes the events accessible and emotionally resonant for modern audiences.
Legacy and Impact
The Forgotten Battle stands as a powerful reminder that history is not only shaped by well-known battles and famous generals but also by the struggles and sacrifices of ordinary people in lesser-known conflicts. It restores the Battle of the Scheldt to its rightful place in the narrative of World War II and honors the memory of those who fought and died there.
Moreover, the film invites viewers to reflect on broader questions about war, morality, and human resilience. It shows that even in the darkest times, individuals retain the capacity for courage, compassion, and change.
Conclusion: Remembering the Forgotten
The Forgotten Battle is a remarkable achievement — a film that combines historical accuracy, compelling storytelling, and profound emotional depth. It illuminates a crucial but neglected chapter of World War II history and does so through the deeply human stories of three individuals whose lives intersect in a moment of global upheaval. Its portrayal of moral complexity, personal sacrifice, and the devastating cost of war elevates it beyond a conventional war movie into something far more meaningful.
By shining a light on the Battle of the Scheldt, the film ensures that this vital campaign — and the people who lived, fought, and died there — are forgotten no longer. It reminds us that history’s most important moments are not always the most famous, and that even battles fought in the flooded fields of a small Dutch province can change the course of a war.
