Ciske the Rat

Ciske the Rat

91 mins | Drama | Oct. 7, 1955

“Ciske de Rat” belongs to the Dickensean “little man’s hard life” model and tells a deceptively simple story about a boy in modern Netherlands. Persecution, loneliness, adults’ hostility, fear, mixture of obstinacy and tenderness, and even an imprisonment. Excellent camera movement and delicate portraying of Ciske’s fragile soul put this film out of merely historical context and ensure its place in the history of great cinema.

Ciske the Rat

91 mins | Drama | Oct. 7, 1955

Ciske the Rat
“Ciske de Rat” belongs to the Dickensean “little man’s hard life” model and tells a deceptively simple story about a boy in modern Netherlands. Persecution, loneliness, adults’ hostility, fear, mixture of obstinacy and tenderness, and even an imprisonment. Excellent camera movement and delicate portraying of Ciske’s fragile soul put this film out of merely historical context and ensure its place in the history of great cinema.
IMDb rating 6.9
Producers Filmtrust, Filmproduktiemaatschappij Amsterdam
Original title Ciske de Rat
Directors Wolfgang Staudte
Writers Piet Bakker, Wolfgang Staudte

Cast

Dick van der Velde

as Ciske de Rat

Kees Brusse

as Onderwijzer Bruis

Jenny van Maerlant

as Ciskes moeder

Riek Schagen

as Tante Jans

Stine Lerou

as Chris

Lies Franken

as Suus Bruis

Katja Ernst

as Mevrouw De Hoop

Rob de Vries

as Ciske's vader

Cees Laseur

as Dhr. Van Loon

Paul Steenbergen

as Leraar Maatsuyker