Pietje Bell und das Geheimnis der schwarzen Hand (Peter Bell and the Mystery of the Black Hand, Pietje Bell II: De jacht op de tsarenkroon)
The Netherlands 2003

Opening 19 Jan 2006

Directed by: Maria Peters
Writing credits: Chris van Abkoude, Maria Peters
Principal actors: Quinten Schram, Frensch de Groot, Jordy Mul, Serge Price, Nicky Burger

Peter Bell (Quinten Schram) is an eight-year-old boy in Rotterdam, Holland, in the 1930s, where vintage cars share the narrow streets with horse and wagons, boats unload wares alongside the canals and a Zeppelin lands. Peter’s father is a shoemaker, his mother a seamstress, and his sister a school teacher. He is especially blessed to have doting parents who bear with his pranks against pompous shopkeepers, his own teacher, and Aunt Cato with the wart on her nose. In contrast there is Freckles (Frensch de Groot), who has no shoes, eats meager lunches, and suffers the blows of a nasty, criminal father. The owner of a local newspaper, Paul Velinga, reports Peter’s latest mischief-making on the front page, which increases circulation considerably. After all, Peter dares to do what others secretly desire to do if they dared. He and his friends discover a cache of food which they distribute to poor people like junior Robin Hoods. Each package is stamped with the sign of the Black Hand – made from black shoe cream stolen from Peter’s father.

Very successful in Holland, this film is recommended for children seven years and older, although older children might be happy just to read the book by Chris van Abkoude; that would be faster and possibly more exciting. I can also imagine switching the actors for Peter (who is small, dark-haired and sweet looking) and Freckles (who has freckles, naturally, and red hair – a Dennis the Menace type). This is a harmless family film by Maria Peters where the children are often smarter than the adults. The sequel is already on its way: Peter Bell and the Hunt for the Tsar Crown. (Becky Tan)