Peter Bell (film)

Peter Bell: The Movie
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Maria Peters
Screenplay by	Maria Peters
Based on	Pietje Bell by Chris van Abkoude
Produced by	Dave Schram Hans Pos
Starring	Quinten Schram Rick Engelkes Katja Herbers Stijn Westenend Felix Strategier Marjan Luif Arjan Ederveen Willem Nijholt Angela Groothuizen Roef Ragas Frensch de Groot
Cinematography	Hein Groot
Edited by	Ot Louw
Music by	Henny Vrienten
Production companies	Shooting Star Filmcompany Katholieke Radio Omroep
Distributed by	Buena Vista International (Netherlands) Stardust Filmverleih [1] (Germany)
Release dates	15 November 2002 (2002-11-15)(Tuschinski Theatre) 17 November 2002 (2002-11-17)(Netherlands) 19 January 2006 (2006-01-19)(Germany) [1]
Running time	110 minutes
Countries	Netherlands Germany [1]
Language	Dutch
Budget	€12 million [2]
Box office	$4.8 million [3]

Peter Bell: The Movie (Dutch : Pietje Bell: De Film) is a 2002 Dutch-language comedy drama film written and directed by Maria Peters and produced by Dave Schram, based on the Pietje Bell books by Chris van Abkoude, starring Quinten Schram as Pietje Bell with supporting roles played by Rick Engelkes, Katja Herbers, Stijn Westenend, Felix Strategier, Marjan Luif, Arjan Ederveen, Willem Nijholt, Angela Groothuizen, Roef Ragas and Frensch de Groot. ^[4]

The film was released in the Netherlands on 17 November 2002 by Buena Vista International. It received a Golden Film award (75,000 visitors) and a Platinum Film award (200,000 visitors) in 2002. ^[5] A sequel, Peter Bell II: The Hunt for the Czar Crown , was released in 2003.

Cast

• Quinten Schram as Pietje Bell, a prankster and troublemaker who's good at heart.
• Frensch de Groot as Sproet, Pietje's best friend, who comes from a poor family.
• Serge Price as Kees, one of Pietje's friends and a member of "De Zwarte Hand".
• Jordy Mul as Engeltje, one of Pietje's friends and a member of "De Zwarte Hand".
• Sjoerd Metz as Peentje, one of Pietje's friends and a member of "De Zwarte Hand".
• Nicky Burgers as Jaap, one of Pietje's friends and a member of "De Zwarte Hand".
• Felix Strategier as Vader Bell, Pietje's father and a cobbler.
• Angela Groothuizen as Moeder Bell, Pietje's mother.
• Marjan Luif as Tante Cato, Pietje's aunt.
• Katja Herbers as Martha Bell, Pietje's older sister and school teacher.
• Rick Engelkes as Paul Velinga, a journalist for "Het Laatste Nieuws".
• Stijn Westenend as Jozef Geelman, Pietje's mean neighbour and school teacher.
• Arjan Ederveen as Drogist Geelman, a pharmacist and Jozef's father.
• Roef Ragas as Jan Lampe, Sproet's abusive and unemployed father.
• Jack Wouterse as Klok, a burglar.
• René van 't Hof as Teun, a burglar.
• Willem Nijholt as Stark, a rich newspaper magnate
• Herman Vinck as Eindredacteur van de krant
• Wilfried de Jong as Distributeur Van Dijk
• Joop Doderer as Oude Man #1
• Ger van der Grijn as Oude Man #2
• Jan Munter as Oude Man #3
• Bram van der Vlugt as Sinterklaas

Production

Principal photography began around mid-February 2002. ^[2] Shooting took place across various locations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Filming locations in Belgium included Ghent and Bruges. ^[6] The dance scene between Paul Velinga and Martha Bell was shot in the Efteling. ^[7]

Release

Critical response

The film received mixed reviews from critics ^{[8] [9] [10] [11] [12]}

Kijkwijzer rating controversy

In 2022, the film provoked controversy by Kijkwijzer raising its rating from AL (all ages) to 12 following several complaints regarding its violence. ^[13] Producer Dave Schram criticized the change and considered taking legal action against Kijkwijzer, stating that "the filmmakers, cast, and crew are suffering financial losses as a result of the decision". Schram felt that Kijkwijzer could've made a mistake and said "I can't imagine there's a single moment in the film that could offend anyone. It's such a sweet and enjoyable family film". ^[14] It was later lowered from 12 to 9. ^[15]

Home media

The film was released on DVD and VHS by Buena Vista Home Entertainment on 19 November 2003. ^[16] The DVD release featured a commentary track from Maria Peters along with deleted scenes, bloopers, trailers, behind the scenes and a sneak preview of Peter Bell II: The Hunt for the Czar Crown . ^[17] The DVD was later re-released in a two-pack with its sequel on 25 August 2004. ^[18]

Accolades

Accolades received by Peter Bell

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
2003	Netherlands Film Festival	Golden Calf for Best Production Design	Benedict Schillemans	Won	[4]

References

1. "Pietje Bell und das Geheimnis der schwarzen Hand". filmportal.de (in German). Retrieved 12 August 2025.
2. Schampers, Bert (27 April 2002). "Pietje Bell komt in België tot leven". Trouw . Archived from the original on 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
3. "Peter Bell (2002)". Box Office Mojo . IMDb . Retrieved 22 August 2024.
4. "Pietje Bell". Netherlands Film Festival (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
5. Verhaagen, Annelotte (17 May 2003). "Pietje Bell". Filmjaarboek 2002. By Hans Beerekamp. International Theatre & Film books. p. 158. ISBN   9789064036316.
6. Breugem, Victoria (June 2002). "Een kwajongen op de Korenlei". Holland Film Nieuws, nr. 46 (in Dutch). p. 19. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
7. Zagt, Ab (5 March 2002). "Pietje Bell tegen Harry Potter". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 8 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025– via Delpher.
8. Zagt, Ab (14 November 2002). "Belhamel Bell krijgt het zwaar". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 August 2025– via Delpher.
9. van der Burg, Jos (13 November 2002). "Pietje Bell". Het Parool (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 1 February 2003. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
10. Buur, Chris (November 2002). "Pietje Bell, Stoere-jongensavonturen met een knipoog". Filmkrant, nr. 238 (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 1 December 2021.
11. Graaf, Belinda van de (14 November 2002). "Pietje Bell heeft haast". Trouw (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 8 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
12. Linssen, Dana (13 November 2002). "Nog een pittoreske schelm met een gouden hartje". NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 7 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
13. Tienhooven, Gudo (27 December 2022). "Kijkwijzer: Het is overduidelijk dat Pietje Bell niet meer 'voor alle leeftijden' is". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
14. "Leeftijdsadvies film Pietje Bell aangepast naar 12 jaar na klachten over geweld". Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (in Dutch). 24 December 2022. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
15. "Pietje Bell toch op tv met Oudjaar, leeftijdsadvies aangepast naar 9 jaar". Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (in Dutch). 28 December 2022. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
16. van Ballegoie, Eric (23 October 2003). "Buena Vista: Pietje Bell 19 november op DVD". AllesOverFilm (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 November 2024.
17. Oostrum, Arnold van (30 December 2003). "Pietje Bell (DVD) recensie". AllesOverFilm (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
18. van Ballegoie, Eric (12 July 2004). "Buena Vista: Pietje Bell 2 vanaf 25 augustus op DVD". AllesOverFilm (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.

External links

• Official website (Wayback Machine) (in Dutch)
• Peter Bell at IMDb
• Peter Bell at Rotten Tomatoes