Customer Reviews

Spetters (Widescreen Edition)

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4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a revision of my earlier concerns. "Spetters" is blissfully intact on DVD and looks better than ever. The directors' cut I had on tape didn't look this good. I was afraid it had been edited when I saw it was listed as "R" but it's unrated still and 8 minutes longer than on my tape. This film is about the lives of three young men who race motorcycles. They long to compete with their hero (Rutger Hauer) who is wealthy and famous. They come from diverse middle class backgrounds. One is abused by his violent father and bashes gay men for their money. Their lives are disrupted and changed forever by a beautiful ambitious blonde who rolls into town with her fast food wagon that she operates with her butch gay brother. Her involvement with the boys will lead to triumph and tragedy as well as sexual awakening. Renee Soutendjik walks off with the film as the golddigging blonde. She is amazingly beautiful and sensual in her earthy performance. She would play another vamp of a different kind in Verhoevens' "The 4TH Man". "Spetters" is a must see for Verhoeven fans of his earlier pre-Hollywood work. It is also sexually explicit and contains a disturbing homosexual rape scene. This scene is important to the story developement but it is graphic. Some may be put off by it. Still, "Spetters" tells a story and I can't recommend it enough for lovers of truly cinematic film.

Director Paul Verhoven may be best known to the mallrats as the helmer for over-the-top sci fi like "Robocop","Total Recall" and "Starship Troopers" and most lamentably for his so-bad-it's-good sex soaper "Showgirls", but he had arguably already left his best work in the sack of his native Holland a decade or two earlier. 1980's "Spetters" (a Dutch slang term for male ejaculate) remains the in-your-face director's most audacious and fascinating work to date. Popular in Holland but largely ignored upon its initial U.S. release, the film has slowly built a cult following over the years, thanks to word-of-mouth amongst film buffs and some critical backpedalling due to Verhoven's subsequent box-office successes. Following the hormone-fueled misadventures (from comedic to tragic) of a trio of motocross-obsessed teenage pals and thier girlfriends, the film is a sort of Dutch take on "Saturday Night Fever" or "Quadrophenia" with a pinch of social satire tossed in. The young (mostly unknown) principal players all deliver energetic, superb performances and are ably supported by Jeroen Krabbe and Rutger Hauer (re-united after thier memorable work together in "Soldier Of Orange", another early Verhoven "must-see"). The MGM DVD thankfully restores the 8 minutes of "graphic" sexuality (not really that shocking to Europeans) that was excised in order to earn an "R" rating and make the film more palatable to our "puritan" American tastes (Tarantino can chop off as many limbs as he likes with a Samurai sword and keep his "R" rating, but to risk having our precious children get an on-screen glimpse of human anatomy? Oh, the horror!). Verhoven's director commentary is chatty and lively as per usual (you can't shut this guy up, actually-he gives you WAY too much information at times!) Highly recommended.

Now here's a movie I'm surprised I hadn't heard about sooner. An early work (released 1980) directed by Dutch madman Paul Verhoeven, it begins like a standard teen exploitation flick -- the story of three working-class boys obsessed with motocross racing. They go to discos, they race their bikes, they have sex with their adoring girlfriends (there are, refreshingly, as many nude penises in evidence as there are nude breasts, by the way), they hang out in the garage and try to be macho. Enter Fientje, a gorgeous, calculating, unabashedly sexual gal who's sick of her life as a wandering french-fry-monger. She tries to attach herself to each of the three friends in turn, in the hopes they'll lift her out of poverty.

You think you know where the plot is headed, right? These three lads will be undone by the gold-digging spider woman. But trust me, you have no idea what you're in for, as Verhoeven and his screenwriter almost gleefully put each character through unimaginable amounts of emotional and physical hell.

Some of these tortures are so sudden, so melodramatic, and handled so very strangely that there's just no choice but to laugh out loud. Clearly, Verhoeven et al were chomping at the bit to tackle taboo social issues of the day (teen sexuality, homosexuality, police corruption, the plight of the disabled), and tackle they do, but with little regard for subtlety or, in some cases, logic. Case in point: a sequence in which a lad is gang raped by five men... leading him to realize he himself is gay! Later, one of the rapists becomes a kind of mentor to him. Riiiiight.

Still, it's the filmmakers' willingness to charge headlong in unexpected directions that makes this movie utterly addictive. It shouldn't work, but you can't keep your eyes off it. I could watch it a million times and never get bored.

Technical points: the photography is cleaner, crisper and more monochromatic than one would expect from the era -- in this way it's way ahead of its time. The soundtrack dates the film, though, in occasionally hilarious fashion -- the classic '70s pop tunes are cool, the ambient score of cheesy synth music is not. The acting's rather impressive throughout, particularly the older actors portraying the main characters' fathers.

The DVD also features a dense commentary by Verhoeven that's worth hearing mainly for the way the director puts the film in historical context. Some -- though not all -- of the films weirder sociological ideas make a bit more sense after hearing what he has to say.

Bottom line: cult film fans will love this thing. NOT a date movie.

I first saw this movie when i was 15 and it left me confused. But somehow this film sticked to my mind when i discussed underrated movies with other people. After 6 years, i saw it again recently and again it left my stomach in a cramp, but I was still fascinated by this film. It's cynical, unforgiving, harsh, crude, but also uncompromising and true-to-life. It's something that Verhoeven tried to make again in America, which would become Showgirls which was so ridiculed at. The strange thing is that Verhoeven got the same criticism in Holland when Spetters came out (some journalists openly declared him as a moron). Now this film is being looked at by many reviewers in Holland as one of the best Dutch films ever made. It's full of action, great performances and makes a few hard points about being young, unsure and not-rich in a cruel society. Although Verhoeven got attacked by feminist groups for representing women in a bad way, what striked me as obvious is that it is the other way around and that men are the lustobjects that eventually get toyed with by women and gay men. Anyway, just see it. It won't make you happy, but you'll have something to think about....

Although having said that it has much darker tones and hasn't got the syrupy ending that most American films have when dealing with teenage lives.

I got a friend from Holland to buy me this as it hasn't been released here in Ireland ( or the UK ) yet. As a result I'm listening to the whole thing in Dutch and have no subtitles to guide me along the way. But I can pick out the odd Dutch word here and there such as " godverdomme " " klootsak " and " dood ". But then I don't really need the subtitles. I can get the meaning ( or my interpretation of it ) without them such is the strength of the film.

Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbe are the usual suspects in Verhoeven's Dutch movies ( which I haven't seen but for sure I'm interested in seeing ). Here they play very small parts but they play them well. Hauer is good as Gerrard Witkamp who is the idol of the three teenage wannabe dirtbike riders. He plays the role with such cockiness that you sometimes get the feeling that he IS that person.

The film takes on a darker edge when one of the bikers who had just got a contract from Honda sees his career ruined when a German tourist ( this is what it's supposed to be they say - for all I know it could have been another Dutch person ) absent mindedly throws out rubbish out of his car window and leads the biker off road. His career is ruined and effectively feels that his life has become worthless

The gang rape scene is one of the most explicit depictions of gang rape for it's time. And it's amazing to think that in Holland you can get this on a 12 certificate while here in Ireland you'd be lucky to get an 18 certificate. But needless to say you have to a bit of a strong stomach for it all.

There are some obvious scenes as well such as the boys measuring up to see who has the bigger penis. And there's one where......Nah I shouldn't say more. I'd end up ruining the film for you and that's not what you want

But when the film plunges into so much darkness you are kinda confused at how it could come into such a happy ending. It's not a syrupy happy ending with loads of schmaltz added on.....it just IS a happy ending. A sort of signal to say " Life goes on. C'est la vie "

"Spetters," directed by Paul Verhoeven, tells the story of three young working-class Dutchmen who are into motorbike racing. Their lives are all impacted by a vivacious gold-digging blonde who rolls into town with her mobile fast food stand. Before the film ends the characters' lives take some unexpected, and even shocking, twists. The film is in Dutch with subtitles.

"Spetters" is a remarkable film--a raw, gritty ensemble drama that is superbly acted. The large, multigenerational cast includes familiar faces Jeroen Krabbe (as a sleazy sportscaster) and Rutger Hauer (as a racing champ idolized by the film's young characters).

This film is packed full of life and energy--from a disco dancing homage to "Saturday Night Fever," to the motorbike racing scenes, and to the shockingly graphic [physical] scenes. Also interesting is the film's exploration of religious faith and other sociological issues. The film dishes out ample servings of both humor and tragedy; the unsettling scenes of violence are offset by some moments of real sweetness and tenderness.

The DVD contains a fascinating commentary track by Verhoeven. His comments offer a window not only into the making of the film, but also into 20th century Dutch society. He discusses in detail the actors, how various scenes were filmed, the challenges involved in getting the film made, the controversy the film ignited, etc. He places the film in context of his larger body of work. Often hilarious, sometimes touching, and consistently engrossing, this is a superb commentary that makes me appreciate the film even more.

"Spetters" is a thought-provoking and touching film that is ultimately curiously satisfying. It drips with blood, sweat, and tears; Verhoeven never flinches from showing the human condition in both its beauty and ugliness. It's a triumph of fearless, in-your-face filmmaking, and an essential entry in Verhoeven's remarkable body of work.

I love paul verhoven's movies after seing The 4th Man and Flesh and Blood. So i tried to check this one,it's amazing. It potraits of dutch youth in 80's period. It has complex story about friendship, ambition, and sex. Well done for the actors and actress, and so for directing. It's suprising, this movie contain full frontal nudity, and explicit oral sex. Just check it out!

This film is really great. It's about three young, cocky Dutch guys whose lives revolve around Motorcross racing and their encounters with a cute, ambitious, smart working-class girl who lives in a trailer and is a short order cook around the Motorcross site.

It is ultra-realistic and true to life and at the same time over-the-top and absurd to satirize the equally ridiculous but more fleeting absurdities of everyday life; in fact, 'real life' is much more absurd than anything that happens in this movie, but 'toned down,' and harder to notice, except upon reflection. With 'over the top' movies like "Spetters" the absurdities we all notice (and are often a part of) are turned 'way up high' for instant and easier identification and reflection. Other great movies of this type I've seen are Verhoeven's American version of "Spetters," "Showgirls," Sam Fuller's "Shock Corridor," Ken Russell's fantastic uncut version of "Crimes of Passion," and Mathew Bright's first "Freeway," but "Spetters" tops them all. It is the ultimate masterpiece of 'over-the-top' satire.

Try to find a well-stocked video store that carries the uncensored, subtitled Director's cut for rent (it's got some very graphic sex scenes in it with full fronal nudity, and a homosexual gang rape that makes anything in "American Me" look tame); it's a well transferred version which came out on HBO video a few years ago, and is now unavailable for sale for some reason; I'd buy it in a second if it was available.

SPETTERS

(Netherlands - 1980)

Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Theatrical soundtrack: Mono

While the American 'teensploitation' picture was dominated throughout the 1980's by a series of lowbrow comedies (PORKY'S, MEATBALLS, REVENGE OF THE NERDS, etc.), Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven took the familiar themes of this critically reviled subgenre and transformed teen angst into high drama with SPETTERS, an exploration of youthful idealism and the journey from adolescence to maturity. Though the three main characters - ultra-confident Rien (Hans van Tongeren), closet case Eef (Toon Agterberg) and clumsy loser Hans (Maarten Spanjer) - are just as raucous and oversexed as their American counterparts, the screenplay (by Verhoeven's longtime writing collaborator Gerard Soeteman) locates their activities within a conservative small-town environment where their friendship is tested by a selfish young gold-digger (Renée Soutendijk) who seizes an opportunity to benefit from their mutual ambitions. But the narrative takes a darker turn during the latter half of the picture, where the protagonists are forced to confront such hot-button issues as sex, disability, religious faith and homosexuality.

In a commentary recorded for the original US DVD release, Verhoeven revealed how the film was originally condemned in Holland for its perceived 'misogyny' and 'homophobia' (similar accusations were also levelled against some of the director's Hollywood features, including BASIC INSTINCT and SHOWGIRLS), but none of these complaints can withstand close scrutiny. True, Soutendijk's heartbreaker is portrayed as little more than an avaricious trollop, but - as Verhoeven demonstrates - she's the only one who exhibits genuine loyalty towards van Tongeren following a horrendous accident which changes his life forever. It's also true that Agterberg's sexuality is only awakened by a brutal assault which occurs late in the film, but his character is ultimately redeemed by the brave stand he takes against his ultra-conservative father in the aftermath of his sexual awakening.

Beautifully filmed and acted (there are extended cameos from Verhoeven regulars Jeroen Krabbe and Rutger Hauer), the movie benefits from an extraordinary sexual candor, a million miles removed from the cowardly R-rated rubbish flooding American cinemas at the time. And though the sexual imagery here is only fleeting, it's also remarkably potent, and the actors are to be commended for their bravery. Sadly, Verhoeven's DVD commentary revealed that van Tongeren - a hugely talented actor with a bright future in international cinema - committed suicide two years after completion of the film.

NB. The word 'spetters' is Dutch slang for handsome, arrogant young men.

Verhoeven's films astonish me. This is one of the best coming of age films I have ever seen. Great acting, cinematography, music, editing etc...A magnificent in your face masterpiece that will linger with you long after it is over.