The whole Holland is excited because after 7 years the long distance skating tour known as Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour) will be held again. Skating being the national sport of Holland brings many contestants, but not many of them are able to finish the 200 km tour, thus those who will reach the finish line are awarded with silver cross. The race is held only if the whole tour has equally good conditions for skating and in 1963 there were doubts, but the pressure from television and the royal family forced the committee to go on with the race. Over 10000 people signed up for the race and through eyes of few of them we see how this sport event influenced their lives. One of them needed the cross to become owner of the farm, another to prove his wife that he can reliable, another deserted from army to take part in the event, young girl wanted to get the cross for her boyfriend, who died preparing for the Elfstedentocht. When the race has started the weather has changed and low temperatures, strong wind and snow begun to eliminate the contestants.
Interesting drama based on the real events that took place in 1963, when from over 10000 contestants only 96 reached the finish line, while over 1600 were hospitalized with injuries. Well written script and realistic images make this movie quite interesting even for people, who are not interested in skating.
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director | |
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screenplay | |
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screenplay | |
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screenplay |
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as Sjoerd | |
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as Henk Brenninkmeijer | |
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as Kees Ferwerda | |
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as Annemiek | |
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as Jan Hoogland |
