Cast
- Antonie Knoppers
- Actor, Role: Lieutenant General Robert Sink
- Contribution: Antonie portrays a true character (Colonel Sink) 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 (affectionately referred to as the “Five-Oh-Sink”) through the resulting campaign in Nijmegen area.
- Marcel Romeijn
- Actor, Lead Role (Johannes Crekel)
- Contribution: Marcel plays Johannes Crekel, In Betuwe44, Johannes’ role as a villager facing the choice between justice and revenge challenges him to be a moral compass for his community and his objectives during the war. He becomes a beacon of hope and integrity, guiding others through the darkness of conflict. Just as St. Christopher became a patron saint for travelers, Johannes becomes a symbolic “patron” for the Betuwe, leading his village with the light of Christ’s mercy, as his father urged him to be. He must not let the world decide for itself what it will be, it all depends on what you will make of the world
- Mark Kleuskens
- Actor, Role: German Captain Johann
- 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.
- Shane Redondo
- Actor, Role: American Lieutenant William (Bill) J. Call
- Contribution: American Lieutenant William (Bill) J. Call and his men have fired on a German patrol. A seriously injured German captain calls for help. Bill talks to the man until he dies. Human contact with ‘the enemy’ makes a great impression on him. A moment of reconciliation between two men at the front. The reconciliation monument exists today because of what happened that night
- Rick Kuitems
- Actor, Role: Jacob Crekel father of Johannes
- Contribution: The Father, the enduring spiritual guidance and moral foundation of a community amidst the turmoil of war. Father Jacob, as a symbolic figure, is to be seen as the “Ladder of Divine Ascent,” a concept from Orthodox theology where the faithful climb toward God through prayer and virtue, much like the ladder in the biblical story of Jacob (Genesis 28:10-12), which became a symbol of Christ’s incarnation through Mary in Orthodox tradition. So to must Johannes ascend. But will he?
- Tom de Ronde
- Actor, Role: Young Johannes Crekel
- Contribution: Johannes in his youth was called out by his father Jacob to act in the world he would enter as an adult. This requires the choice(s) the adult Johannes must make between justice or revenge. With the young Johannes we reference the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16), where Cain’s anger leads to murder, to warn Johannes about the dangers of unchecked emotions. He might say, “My son, beware the seed of Cain’s anger that grows in the heart—God warned him, ‘Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.’ So must you guard your soul, lest it lead you to ruin.” This mission from God is what Johannes carries with him, hence the st.Christopher images in the various scenes. For Johannes, heeding his father’s warning sets him on a path where he can “carry Christ” by embodying mercy and justice, much like St. Christopher carried the Christ Child.
Crew.
- Bram van Workum
- Director
- Contribution: As the director, Bram leads the vision for Betuwe44, passionately driving the project to honor the history of the Betuwe. His dedication inspires the team, as noted by Thomas Spiekhout, though specific details of his role are not fully described on this page.
- Jan van Galen
- Cinelicht
- Cinelicht is founded in 2008 by Jan van Galen. They provide the light on location for film recordings.
- Thomas Spiekhout
- Junior Producer, Film Academy Student, Advisor
- Contribution: Thomas, inspired by Bram’s passion, helps with the film’s realization through advice and guidance. He shares, “Bram’s project inspired me because he can talk for hours with so much passion about the different themes of this film. As a junior producer, I try to help him with the realization of this film through advice and guidance.”
- Poul Sven de Haan
- Sound designer
- Poul is een sound designer uit Leiden. Het eerste filmproject van Poul en Bram was bijna tien jaar geleden. Hun partnerschap duurt nog steeds voort. Poul ontwerpt en mixt zijn persoonlijke studio in Leiden.
- Arend-Jan Hermsen
- Set photography, Media
- Arend Jan is a photographer and owner of Par-Pa. He has been photographing for 25 years and met with Bram during a job. Since then they have been working together regularly and it makes sense that Arend Jan records everything behind the scenes for Betuwe44.
- Marije Slagboom
- Marije is Bram’s wife and she helps him behind the scenes. She is responsible for the project management and communications.
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:
THE RE-ENACTORS:
Exodus Huissen
Toneelgroep Moziëk
Living History Group Holland
Triple-A
Band of Brothers
Klondikes
Five o Sink
Die Volksgrenadiere
Together, this team aimed to create a meaningful film that honors the history of the Betuwe during World War II, reflecting a shared passion for storytelling and historical remembrance.