Happy 82nd Birthday. Paul Verhoeven! Born today in 1938, this Dutch screenwriter, film producer and director is active in both the Netherlands and Hollywood. His blending of graphic violence and sexual content with social satire are trademarks of both his drama and science fiction films.
Among his credits of the 1970s, Verhoeven is best known for directing the 1973 Dutch drama/romance film 'Turks fruit' ('Turkish Delight') and the 1977 Dutch war/drama film 'Soldaat van Oranje' ('Soldier of Orange').
The former film tells of a young woman named Olga Stapels (Monique van de Ven) who offers a ride to hitchhiking sculptor Eric Vonk (Rutger Hauer). However, she later embarks upon a difficult romance with him.
The film was Hauer's debut, and is based on Dutch author, sculptor and painter Jan Wolker's 1969 literary fiction novel Turks Fruit.
The latter film is based on Dutch writer Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema's 1971 autobiographical book Soldaat van Orange. The book described his experiences in World War II. The film was released under the name 'Survival Run' in the United Kingdom.
Set in World War II, Dutch aristocrat Erik Lanshof (Rutger Hauer) and his university friends join the resistance movement against the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Others have a different role in the war, as a collaborator. Queen Wilhelmina meanwhile lives in exile in London.
'Soldier of Orange' had a budget of ƒ 5,000,000 (€2,300,000), at the time the most expensive Dutch movie ever. With 1,547,183 viewers, it was the most popular Dutch film of 1977.
The following year, 'Soldier of Orange' film received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 1980. However, it didn't win. This occurred at the 37th Golden Globe Awards in late January 1980.
Among his credits of the 1980s, Verhoeven is best known for directing the 1983 Dutch psychological horror drama/mystery film 'De vierde man' ('The Fourth Man') and the 1987 American action/sci-fi film 'RoboCop'.
The former film tells of Dutch writer Gerard Reve (Jeroen Krabbé), who suspects that his lover Christine Halsslag (Renée Soutendijk), a woman widowed three times, may be responsible for her husbands' deaths.
Released in 1983, the film was a box-office hit in the Netherlands, though it was a more significant commercial success in the United States, where it became the highest-grossing Dutch film of all time.
However, the film is sexually explicit and, like many of Verhoeven's other films, shows graphic violence and gore.
The following year. 'The Fourth Man' was the Dutch entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 56th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee. This occurred at the 56th Academy Awards in early April 1984.
The latter film was the first installment of the RoboCop franchise. Themes that made up the basis of RoboCop included media influence, gentrification, corruption, authoritarianism, greed, privatization, capitalism, identity,i dystopia and human nature.
'RoboCop' received positive reviews and was a box office success. It was cited as one of the best films of 1987, spawning a franchise that included merchandise, two sequels, a television series, a remake, two animated television mini-series, video games, and a number of comic book adaptations/crossovers.
The following year, 'RoboCop' was nominated three Oscars for Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Film Editing and Best Sound. However, it won none of these. This occurred at the 60th Academy Awards in med-April 1988.
Two years later, Verhoeven directed his fifth and final film of which he is best known. This was the 1990 American science fiction action/thriller film 'Total Recall', and was released on June 1.
The film was loosely based on American writer Philip K. Dick's 1966 science fiction short story We Can Remember It for You Wholesale.
With a budget of $50–60 million, 'Total Recall' was one of the most expensive films made at the time of its release, although estimates of its production budget vary and whether it ever actually held the record is not certain. It was also successful at the box office, grossing $261.3 million.
The second installment of the RoboCop franchise was directed by American director, actor, and producer of film and television Irvin Kershner ('Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back'). Released on June 22, the film received mixed reviews from critics.
The following year, 'Total Recall' won a Special Achievement Academy Award for its visual effects. This occurred at the 63rd Academy Awards in late March 1991.
For the third installment of the RoboCop franchise, Verhoeven and Kershner bowed out. The 1993 American sci-fi/action film was then directed by American screenwriter and film director Fred Dekker.
Unfortunately, the film was a box office bomb. It had grossed only $10.6 million at the box office from its $22 million budget. It currently has a rating off 3% on Rotten Tomatoes from thirty critics.
In contrast to his other works, Verhoeven won the Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Picture and Worst Director for his 1995 American erotic drama film 'Showgirls'. This occurred at the 16th Golden Raspberry Awards in late March 1996.
Verhoeven is also one of the few people to have accepted their Golden Raspberry awards in person, and was the first person to go to the ceremony to receive it. It is also Verhoeven's lowest rated film to date.
'Showgirls' was the first (and to date only) NC-17 rated film to be given a wide release in mainstream theaters, but destroyed American actress, philanthropist and producer Elizabeth Berkeley's career. Nonetheless, the film eventually gained a cult following.
Also among his credits of the 1990s, Verhoeven is known for directing the 1992 French/American/British neo-noir erotic thriller/mystery film 'Basic Instinct' and the 1997 American satirical military sci-fi action film 'Starship Troopers'.
In 1999, at the 18th Netherlands Film Festival, 'Soldier of Orange' was voted the second-best Dutch film of the 20th century.
In a 2006 interview, Sharon Stone alleged that a scene in 'Basic Instinct' had exposed her vulva as she crossed her legs was filmed without her knowledge.
Five years later, the 2011 American camp thriller film 'Showgirls 2: Pennies from Heaven' was released. However, Verhoeven made no qualms about it.
One year later, the 2012 American action/sci-fi film 'Total Recall' was released.
However, it had received generally negative reviews from critics, but received praise for its action sequences and acting, but the lack of humor, emotional subtlety, and character development drew some criticism.
Two years later, the 2014 American action/sci-fi film 'RoboCop' was released. Though receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film had grossed $242.6 million against its $130 million budget.
This 'RoboCop' was directed by Brazilian film director, producer and screenwriter José Padiha. He is best known for co-directing the 2002 Brazilian documentary/crime film 'Ônibus 174' ('Bus 174').
Verhoeven has been active from 1960–present.
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