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The Forgotten Battle

The Forgotten Battle is a 2020 Dutch war drama film directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Forgotten Battle is a 2020 Dutch war drama film directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. The film depicts the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944, focusing on intersecting perspectives from a Dutch Axis soldier, a British glider pilot, and a resistance woman from Zeeland. It was released internationally on Netflix in 2021.

Premise

The film follows a Dutch soldier fighting on the German side, a British glider pilot, and a Dutch resistance member whose lives become connected during the Battle of the Scheldt. The narrative presents the war through multiple viewpoints.

Production and release

The Forgotten Battle is a Dutch-language war drama directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. It premiered in 2020 and later reached streaming audiences through Netflix in 2021.

Historical background

The story is set against the Battle of the Scheldt, an Allied operation in 1944 aimed at opening the port of Antwerp by clearing German forces from the Scheldt estuary. The film draws on this historical campaign as its central setting.

Cast

The principal cast features Gijs Blom, Jamie Flatters, and Susan Radder in the three central roles. Netflix lists additional cast members including Theo Barklem-Biggs, Jan Bijvoet, Marthe Schneider, Scott Reid, Robert Naylor, Tom Felton, and Ronald Kalter.

Key facts

  • The film is set during the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944.
  • It follows three main characters whose stories intersect during the war.
  • The cast includes Gijs Blom, Jamie Flatters, and Susan Radder.
  • The film was distributed by Netflix and became available for streaming in October 2021.
  • Its story is based on the lesser-known Allied campaign to secure access to Antwerp through the Scheldt estuary.
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Canadian context

The film portrays the Battle of the Scheldt, a World War II operation that was significant to the Allied advance in northwestern Europe and involved Canadian forces in the broader campaign to liberate the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Forgotten Battle about?
It is a war drama about three people whose lives intersect during the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944.
Who directed The Forgotten Battle?
The film was directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.
What is the original Dutch title?
The original Dutch title is De Slag om de Schelde.
When was the film released?
It was released in 2020 and later streamed on Netflix in 2021.
Is the story based on real events?
Yes. It is based on the Battle of the Scheldt, a real World War II Allied operation.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Forgotten_Battle
    Supports: Dutch title, director, release year, setting, and main characters
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81166791
    Supports: Synopsis, cast, and streaming availability
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10521092/
    Supports: Director, writer, premise, and historical basis
  4. YouTube (Netflix official trailer) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGiR5ZiEWkM
    Supports: Official synopsis and setting during the Battle of the Scheldt