The Conscript (1974)
In 1833, when the fledgling Belgian kingdom still fears a Dutch invasion, recruits were selected annually from an age cohort by a draw of lots in each locality. In this grim, then contemporary drama by the 'father of Flemish literature', Hendrik Conscience, Jan Braems, a poor and naive farmers-boy, accepts the not uncommon offer by a rich family to sell his lucky ticket (out) to their son for a hefty sum compared to the miserable labor wages at the time. Army life is even harsher then a farmhand's, especially for a Dutch-speaking an-alphabet who simply can't understand his francophone superiors, and Jan's nature is not complacent enough for military discipline even by todays standards, so he soon gets into all kinds of trouble, including gambling his capital away and a venereal disease. When his girlfriend back home goes looking for him, her life is doomed as well.
Director:
Roland Verhavert
Writers:
Nic Bal, Roland Verhavert.
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Jan Decleir as Jan Braems |
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Ansje Beentjes as Katrien |
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Gaston Vandermeulen as Grootvader |
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Gella Allaert as Katriens moeder |
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Bernard Verheyden as Karel |
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Marieke van Leeuwen as Hoertje |
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Idwig Stephane as Korporaal |
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Eddy Asselbergs as Boef |
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Leo Madder as Boef |
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Denise Zimmerman as Vrouw van kommandant |
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Rudi Van Vlaenderen as Dokter |
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Johan Vanderbracht as Kommandant |
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Werner Kopers as Maris |
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Charles Gilbert as |
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Roger Bolders as |
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Ray Verhaeghe as Notaris |
| Writing | Hendrik Conscience | Novel |
| Production | Jan van Raemdonck | Producer |
| Writing | Nic Bal | Screenplay |
| Writing | Roland Verhavert | Screenplay |
| Editing | Monique Lebrun | Editor |
| Directing | Roland Verhavert | Director |
| Editing | Peter Simons | Editor |
| Crew | Ralf Boumans | Cinematography |
| Production | J.E. Lauwers | Producer |
