The Conscript

Story

Synopsis

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, Hendrik Conscience, Roland Verhavert

Language

Dutch

Country

Belgium, Netherlands

Release date

8 February 1974

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Jan Decleir

  Jan Braems

• 

  Ansje Beentjes

  Katrien

• 

  Gaston Vandermeulen

  Grootvader

• Gella Allaert

  Katriens moeder

• Bernard Verheyden

  Karel

• 

  Marieke van Leeuwen

  Hoertje

• 

  Idwig Stephane

  Korporaal

• Eddy Asselbergs

  Boef

• Leo Madder

  Boef

• Denise Zimmerman

  Vrouw van kommandant

• Rudi Van Vlaenderen

  Dokter

• Johan Vanderbracht

  Kommandant