Why does a muddy, frostbitten corner of World War II feel so achingly alive in The Forgotten Battle (2020)? This Dutch gem, directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr., doesn’t just recreate the 1944 Battle of the Scheldt it plunges you into its icy, desperate heart. The film’s brilliance lies in its refusal to glorify war, instead weaving a raw, human tapestry of sacrifice and survival that resonates with today’s hunger for grounded, character-driven historical dramas.

The standout element is the film’s ensemble cast, a trio of perspectives Dutch resistance fighter, British pilot, and reluctant Nazi conscript that collide like shrapnel. Gijs Blom’s Marinus, a Dutchman wrestling with loyalty, delivers a performance so layered it’s like watching a man unravel and rebuild in real time. Susan Radder, as resistance courier Teuntje, balances ferocity and fragility with a gaze that could stop a tank. Their stories, braided with quiet intensity, ground the film’s sprawling chaos, though Jamie Flatters’ British pilot occasionally feels like a narrative afterthought, his arc less fleshed out. Still, the cast’s chemistry crackles, making every loss sting.

Cinematography is the second knockout punch. Lennert Hillege’s lens captures the Zeeland marshes with a haunting, almost painterly grit muddy greens and cold blues that make you feel the damp chill. Wide shots of dykes and flooded fields contrast claustrophobic close-ups of blood-streaked faces, creating a visceral push-pull that mirrors war’s vastness and intimacy. One flaw? The pacing stumbles in the second act, lingering too long on setup before the battle’s crescendo. Yet, when the action hits, it’s relentless, unflinching, and never indulgent.

The score, subtle yet stirring, weaves folk-like melancholy with pulse-pounding strings, amplifying the human cost without drowning it in sentimentality. In 2025, as audiences crave authenticity over escapism, The Forgotten Battle delivers a war story that’s less about heroics and more about the messy, moral weight of choice perfect for fans of 1917 or Dunkirk who want history told with heart and nerve. It’s not flawless, but its imperfections make its triumphs feel earned.

This film reminds us that even forgotten battles leave echoes. Watch it, and let those echoes linger.