Ciske de Rat
Encyclopedia
Ciske de Rat is a novel for children
by Dutch
author Piet Bakker. It is part of the Ciske trilogy
which was written between 1941 (publication was however delayed by paper shortages until 1942) and 1946. The book was published in more than ten countries. It was made into two films, a television series and a musical. Best known is the film version of 1984, starring Danny de Munk
as Ciske (pictured), Herman van Veen
and Willeke van Ammelrooy
.
Ciske (Franciskus) Vrijmoeth, who has no friends and is only called "the rat". The setting is in Amsterdam
in the 1930s. Ciske has to change school, because he poured ink over his teacher's head. After school, he helps out in a pub, where his mother Marie also works. His beloved father Cor is a fisherman and therefore not at home. The story is told by his new teacher Bruis, who gives him a chance.
Ciske groeit op ("Ciske Grows Up") is the second part. Ciske starts a fire at home as he accidentally knocks over a lantern. He meets his father, who wants to get divorced. At school he makes friends with a sick boy called Dorus. One night, Ciske surprises his mother with another man, who beats him. As his mother tears out pages from a book which was a gift from Dorus, who later dies, Ciske gets angry and kills his mother with a knife. He is then arrested and put into jail. His teacher helps him out, and after Ciske saves a drowning boy's life, he is declared a hero and lives together with his father and aunt Jans.
In the third part, Cis de man ("Cis the Man"), Ciske is now an adult soldier and fights against the German soldiers in World War II
. This part of the book was published in 1946 after the Dutch liberation and is not included in the films.
as the teacher Bruis. The black-and-white film, which was directed by Wolfgang Staudte
, won an OCIC Award and a Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival
. Based on admissions, it is still the third most popular Dutch film in Dutch box office history.
and filmed by Frans Bromet. Ciske is played by 14-year-old Danny de Munk
who also sang the title song Ik voel me zo verdomd alleen ("I feel so damned alone") which scored a number one hit in the Netherlands. Herman van Veen
played his teacher Bruis and Willeke van Ammelrooy
his mother. The film was successful and in 1985 won a UNICEF Award at the Berlin International Film Festival
. The producer was Matthijs van Heijningen
and the film score was composed by Eric van der Wurff.
An enhanced television series was later broadcast.
Both films are still in the Top Ten Dutch films visited in the Netherlands since 1945.
(who had gone on to appear in several Dutch musicals in the years after his portrayal of young Ciske in the movie) as grown-up Ciske. The music was composed by Henny Vrienten
. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
was present at the gala premiere. The show received very positive reviews and seven Dutch musical awards (in 2008 the most awards ever bestowed on a single production). A CD and DVD were released of the stage production.
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
by Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
author Piet Bakker. It is part of the Ciske trilogy
Trilogy
A trilogy is a set of three works of art that are connected, and that can be seen either as a single work or as three individual works. They are commonly found in literature, film, or video games...
which was written between 1941 (publication was however delayed by paper shortages until 1942) and 1946. The book was published in more than ten countries. It was made into two films, a television series and a musical. Best known is the film version of 1984, starring Danny de Munk
Danny de Munk
Dennis de Munk is a Dutch actor, singer, musical actor and former child star.De Munk started acting at the age of 12 as the leading role in the film Ciske de Rat , directed by Guido Pieters, starring Herman van Veen as teacher and Willeke van Ammelrooy as mother...
as Ciske (pictured), Herman van Veen
Herman van Veen
Hermannus Jantinus "Herman" van Veen is a Dutch stage performer, actor, musician and singer/songwriter and author. He is most famous as the creator of the Dutch-Japanese cartoon Alfred J...
and Willeke van Ammelrooy
Willeke van Ammelrooy
Willy Geertje van Ammelrooij , better known as Willeke van Ammelrooy, is a Dutch actress and director. She was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands....
.
Plot summary
Ciske de Rat ("Ciske the Rat") is the story of eleven year old lonely street childStreet children
A street child is a child who lives on the streets of a city, deprived of family care and protection. Most children on the streets are between the ages of about 5 and 17 years old.Street children live in junk boxes, parks or on the street itself...
Ciske (Franciskus) Vrijmoeth, who has no friends and is only called "the rat". The setting is in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
in the 1930s. Ciske has to change school, because he poured ink over his teacher's head. After school, he helps out in a pub, where his mother Marie also works. His beloved father Cor is a fisherman and therefore not at home. The story is told by his new teacher Bruis, who gives him a chance.
Ciske groeit op ("Ciske Grows Up") is the second part. Ciske starts a fire at home as he accidentally knocks over a lantern. He meets his father, who wants to get divorced. At school he makes friends with a sick boy called Dorus. One night, Ciske surprises his mother with another man, who beats him. As his mother tears out pages from a book which was a gift from Dorus, who later dies, Ciske gets angry and kills his mother with a knife. He is then arrested and put into jail. His teacher helps him out, and after Ciske saves a drowning boy's life, he is declared a hero and lives together with his father and aunt Jans.
In the third part, Cis de man ("Cis the Man"), Ciske is now an adult soldier and fights against the German soldiers in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. This part of the book was published in 1946 after the Dutch liberation and is not included in the films.
1955
The first film was issued in 1955, starring Dick Van der Velde as Ciske and Kees BrusseKees Brusse
Kees Brusse is a Dutch actor and film director. He has appeared in 47 films and television shows since 1936. He starred in the 1975 film Dokter Pulder zaait papavers, which was entered into the 26th Berlin International Film Festival....
as the teacher Bruis. The black-and-white film, which was directed by Wolfgang Staudte
Wolfgang Staudte
Wolfgang Staudte , born Georg Friedrich Staudte, was a German film director, script writer and actor. He was born in Saarbrücken....
, won an OCIC Award and a Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
. Based on admissions, it is still the third most popular Dutch film in Dutch box office history.
1984
The second film was directed by Guido PietersGuido Pieters
Guido Pieters is a Dutch film director.His films include:*Op Hoop van Zegen*Het Woeden der Gehele Wereld-External links:...
and filmed by Frans Bromet. Ciske is played by 14-year-old Danny de Munk
Danny de Munk
Dennis de Munk is a Dutch actor, singer, musical actor and former child star.De Munk started acting at the age of 12 as the leading role in the film Ciske de Rat , directed by Guido Pieters, starring Herman van Veen as teacher and Willeke van Ammelrooy as mother...
who also sang the title song Ik voel me zo verdomd alleen ("I feel so damned alone") which scored a number one hit in the Netherlands. Herman van Veen
Herman van Veen
Hermannus Jantinus "Herman" van Veen is a Dutch stage performer, actor, musician and singer/songwriter and author. He is most famous as the creator of the Dutch-Japanese cartoon Alfred J...
played his teacher Bruis and Willeke van Ammelrooy
Willeke van Ammelrooy
Willy Geertje van Ammelrooij , better known as Willeke van Ammelrooy, is a Dutch actress and director. She was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands....
his mother. The film was successful and in 1985 won a UNICEF Award at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
. The producer was Matthijs van Heijningen
Matthijs van Heijningen
Matthijs van Heijningen is a Dutch film producer. He is one of the country's most successful producers, and became known for a series of commercial successes and for screen adaptations of literary works. His collection is now housed in the Filmmuseum.-External links:...
and the film score was composed by Eric van der Wurff.
An enhanced television series was later broadcast.
Both films are still in the Top Ten Dutch films visited in the Netherlands since 1945.
Soundtrack
The 1984 soundtrack features two songs from the film: Ik voel me zo verdomd alleen (composed by Herman van Veen, lyrics by Karin Loomans) and Vergeet nu maar je zorgen ("Now forget your worries"), which is played at the closing credits.Musical
From October 5, 2007 to November 29, 2009, a musical based on the full trilogy toured the Netherlands and Belgium, starring 37-year-old Danny de MunkDanny de Munk
Dennis de Munk is a Dutch actor, singer, musical actor and former child star.De Munk started acting at the age of 12 as the leading role in the film Ciske de Rat , directed by Guido Pieters, starring Herman van Veen as teacher and Willeke van Ammelrooy as mother...
(who had gone on to appear in several Dutch musicals in the years after his portrayal of young Ciske in the movie) as grown-up Ciske. The music was composed by Henny Vrienten
Henny Vrienten
Henny Vrienten is a Dutch composer of TV- and film-scores. He used to be the singer, songwriter and bass guitar player of the popular eighties ska pop band Doe Maar.-Early days:...
. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
Beatrix of the Netherlands
Beatrix is the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands comprising the Netherlands, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and Aruba. She is the first daughter of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. She studied law at Leiden University...
was present at the gala premiere. The show received very positive reviews and seven Dutch musical awards (in 2008 the most awards ever bestowed on a single production). A CD and DVD were released of the stage production.
External links
- Ciske de Rat (1955) at hollandsfilmglorie.com
- Psychological study on 1984 film fragment