CAST
THE CAST
Johannes Crekel
Marcel RomeijnMarcel Romeijn
is a Dutch actor who started his career on the stage at the age of 19. By 25, he went into film acting. He has appeared in films, commercials and series around Europe. Since 2012 he is part of the international movement KinoKabaret. In 2017 he founded Kinoonik Holland in Rotterdam with his wife Nataliya Trusova. They try to host an international filmfestival every year.
Johannes Crekel
is a fictional character. He is a son of a pastor and only child of a small family. His mother was there when he had done something wrong again, his father was only interested in the congregation of his church. There, at least, Crekel could see some of the man. He does not remember much of him, but he always knew that his father was expecting everything from the people who preached about it. He always wanted the best and the most from the people so that they would form a healthy and strong group that would live in good conscience. Johannes Crekel was the only child that his parents had, he went to school, did his best but if he met someone along the way he was so distracted again. Even though he was very pleased with his friends, he was never allowed to take them home. His parents seemed to be especially interested in him, and so Crekel grew up; follow your conscience and make sure you make something of the world as it does not end in misery!
But how do you do that when everything around you falls apart ....?
Colonel Robert Sink
Antonie KnoppersAntonie Knoppers
was born in Washington, D.C. and moved to Amsterdam when he was four. He has since been traveling to both countries, with dual citizenship. Antonie now resides in Los Angeles. Antonie has been involved in the performing arts from a very early age. He went on to graduate from Brandeis in 1995 with a Masters in International Economics and Finance and earned a second Masters Degree in 2003 at the Old Globe/University of San Diego. In between, he became a professional actor and spent years performing Off-Broadway and appeared in various commercials and in a series as a principal on a very popular soap series in Holland. He also appeared in his first feature film playing Frederick van Pallandt opposite Julie Delpy in the movie The Hoax, which was directed by Lasse Hallstrom and starred Richard Gere and Alfred Molina.
Lieutenant General Robert Sink
is a true character who rose to fame during the Second World War for his command of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 101st Airborne Division.
Sink personally participated in the combat jump during Operation Market Garden, and after its failure lead his 506th (affectionatly reffered to as the "Five-Oh-Sink") through the resulting campaign in Nijmegen area.
Col. Sink was portrayed in the series Band of Brothers by Captain Dale Dye, and will be brought to life in Betuwe44
by American-Dutch actor Antonie Knoppers ('The Hoax', 'Goede Tijden, slechte tijden', en 'Flikken Maastricht').
German Captain Johann
Mark KleuskensMark Kleuskens
made his debut in 1994 as an actor in the NCRV series "Cover Story" in which he played the role of a detective for two seasons. Mark has now acted in more than 130 television and film productions in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Austria and has worked with well-known directors such as Theu Boermans, Pieter Kuijpers, Jean van de Velde, Paul Verhoeven and Michael Apted.
Little is known about this German Captain. In October 1944 his patrol group headed for the American lines and was then ambushed. All thirty Germans were killed except one. This seriously injured captain begged for his life in English. An American lieutenant went over with his sergeant. They placed the German captain with his back against the trunk of an apple tree. The dying man spoke to the Americans for an hour and a half about home and that he had been a professor before the war. They gave him cigarettes and - against their better judgment - water, out of compassion for being so horribly thirsty.
American Lieutenant William (Bill) J. Call
Shane RedondoShane Redondo
is a Dutch born, Spanish-Irish professional actor. Grew up in Amsterdam & Dublin. Graduated from the Film Actors Academy Amsterdam and Bow Street Dublin. Followed by many workshops with Gerry Grennell, Frederik de Groot, Chubbuck (Romy Irene) and iHTS (Robert Ceelen) from in Aubenton France.
Played in several Dutch TV-series such as Mocro Maffia, Judas, Emperor Women en Moordvrouw. Not only an actor but also a film maker. Has written, starred and produced many short films and sketches.
Played in several Dutch TV-series such as Mocro Maffia, Judas, Emperor Women en Moordvrouw. Not only an actor but also a film maker. Has written, starred and produced many short films and sketches.
Young Johannes Crekel
Tom de RondeTom de Ronde
(1997) is currently studying at the Mime course at the Amsterdam School of the Arts. He has worked with, among others, Fabian Santarciel de la Quintana, Milone Reigman and Daniël van Klaveren. And will be on Oerol in the summer of 2019 with the performance Technostalgia by Ulrike Quade Company.
Father Jacob Crekel
Rick KuitemsRick Kuitems
is an actor, comedian, artist, known for Hard op Hart (2018), Prooi (2016), The Last Vermeer (2019) and 7 Wrekers (2020).
THE RE-ENACTORS
Our film would not be possible without the support and participation of the re-enactment groups who have kept the story of the Betuwe and the life as soldiers alive since the end of the Second World War:
