Art, War, and Uneven Ambition: a Tale of Two Dutch Films

Read Time:4 Minute, 46 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Mysteries + Pastorale 1943 (Double-Feature)
Mysteries –
Pastorale – 3.5 out of 5 stars –

Genre: Drama, Romance / War, Drama
Year Released: 1978 / 1978, Cult Epics Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 38m / 1h 52m
Director(s): Paul de Lussanet / Wim Verstappen
Writer(s): Paul de Lussanet, Knut Hamsun / Wim Verstappen, Simon Vestdijk
Cast: Sylvia Kristel, Rutger Hauer, Rita Tushingham, Eddy Brugman, Cox Habbema / Frederik de Groot, Leen Jongewaard, Coen Flink, Bernard Droog, Sacco van der Made
Where to Watch: available June 24, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.cultepics.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: This Cult Epics double-feature pairs two works from the late 1970s that are connected yet incredibly different. MYSTERIES and PASTORALE 1943 are two films that couldn’t feel more different in tone, focus, and success, yet the presence of Dutch icons Rutger Hauer and Sylvia Kristel anchors both. Released at the height of their respective careers, these films offer a fascinating glimpse into the ambitions of Dutch cinema during a transformative era.

First up is MYSTERIES, a romantically infused psychological drama directed and written by painter-turned-filmmaker Paul de Lussanet. Adapted from the Knut Hamsun novel, the film strives for poetic abstraction but often gets lost in the haze of its mood. Hauer plays Johan Nagel, a man of mysterious motivations swept up in emotional entanglements and existential wandering. The film wants to dig deep into the mind of a troubled soul, but its fragmented storytelling often obscures its intentions and sometimes has ponderous pacing.

Visually, MYSTERIES benefits from the talent of cinematographer Robby Müller, whose work elevates nearly every scene with expressive lighting and striking compositions. He brings a painter’s sensibility to the screen—perhaps a natural match for de Lussanet’s background—but while the film is beautiful, its story remains stubbornly opaque. Performances from Hauer and Kristel are committed, and there are moments of genuine magnetism between them, but the core remains elusive. Rita Tushingham and David Rappaport round out the supporting cast, though their roles feel more symbolic than substantial.

Switching gears, PASTORALE 1943 tells a far more cohesive and emotionally resonant story. Directed by Wim Verstappen, this wartime drama zeroes in on the Dutch resistance during World War II. While the setup is familiar—ordinary citizens navigating the dangers of Nazi occupation—the film’s strength lies in how it balances resistance activity with introspective character work. It doesn’t reinvent the genre but handles its subject matter with quiet urgency.

Kristel and Hauer once again deliver strong performances, though PASTORALE 1943 also benefits from a breakout appearance by Renée Soutendijk in her screen debut. Her role adds depth to a film steeped in conflict. Verstappen keeps the narrative moving with a restrained directorial hand, and the pacing rarely lags despite the film’s lengthy runtime.

Where MYSTERIES often tackles abstraction, PASTORALE 1943 keeps its feet on the ground. The stakes are real, the characters are fleshed out, and the drama unfolds purposefully. It may not be the most daring film of its era, but it understands how to tell a story and when to let a moment linger. Its message—about the personal cost of defiance and the complexity of survival—resonates clearly and leaves a stronger impression than its counterpart.

The Blu-ray release from Cult Epics offers both films in newly restored 2K transfers, and the presentation adds depth across the board. Each disc has its bonus features, including commentaries and interviews that give context to both the productions and the stars' careers. Including promotional material, still galleries, and slipcase packaging (for Blu-ray collectors) adds extra appeal, especially for fans of European cinema from this period.

PASTORALE 1943 is the standout of the set: emotionally coherent, historically significant, and driven by strong performances. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective. On the other hand, MYSTERIES feels more like a curiosity—an ambitious experiment that never coalesces into something truly satisfying. It’s visually compelling but dramatically thin, and it’s likely to appeal more to completists.

As a package, this double feature offers an interesting contrast in styles and substance. Both films showcase the artistic risk-taking of Dutch cinema in the late ’70s. Viewers willing to navigate the opaque fog of MYSTERIES may find glimmers of brilliance, but most will likely come away more moved by the clarity and conviction of PASTORALE 1943.

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[photo courtesy of CULT EPICS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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