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Admiral is a Dutch historical epic film that was released in 2015. The movie tells the story of one of the greatest Dutch naval commanders of all time, Michiel de Ruyter. The film portrays the events that led to the Dutch Republic's rise as a naval and trading superpower and the devastating wars that threatened to bring the nation down.

The movie begins by introducing Michiel de Ruyter, who is known as the greatest admiral in Dutch history. Michiel de Ruyter, played by Frank Lammers, is a man of humble origin who rose to the top of the Dutch navy through his impeccable skills on the seas. In the beginning, Michiel de Ruyter is shown as a loyal servant of the Dutch Republic who is revered and respected by his fellow sailors.

The film then moves on to tell the story of the political turmoil that rocked the Dutch Republic in the mid-17th century. The Republic, having emerged victorious from the Eighty Years' War against Spain, had grown into a superpower. However, the country's stability was threatened by internal dissent as well as external threats. The French, English, and other European powers had allied against the Dutch Republic, and a war was brewing.

As the situation worsens, Michiel de Ruyter is called upon to lead the Dutch navy against the English. His main opponent is the English Admiral, played by Barry Atsma. The two men are portrayed as being equal in skill and determination, and their rivalry forms the crux of the movie.

The movie is not just about naval battles, though. It also portrays the personal life of Michiel de Ruyter. His relationship with his wife, played by Sanne Langelaar, is shown as being complicated. Michiel de Ruyter is also shown as being torn between his loyalty to the Dutch Republic and his loyalty to his own conscience.

One of the strengths of the movie is its attention to historical detail. Director Roel Reiné and his team have painstakingly recreated the world of the mid-17th century Dutch Republic. The ships, costumes, and sets all look historically accurate, and the attention to detail helps to immerse the viewer in the story.

The movie also benefits from strong performances by its cast. Frank Lammers brings a sense of gravitas to the role of Michiel de Ruyter. He portrays the admiral as a man of great intelligence, determination, and bravery. His co-stars, Barry Atsma and Sanne Langelaar, also deliver solid performances, and the chemistry between the three actors is palpable.

The movie's pacing is generally good, although it does drag in some places. Some of the battle scenes are quite long and could have been trimmed down to keep the audience's attention. However, the movie's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, and it is an enjoyable watch overall.

In conclusion, Admiral is a well-made historical epic that tells the story of one of the greatest naval commanders of all time. The attention to historical detail, strong performances, and exciting battle scenes make it a movie worth watching. It is a testament to the skill and bravery of Michiel de Ruyter, who helped to secure the future of the Dutch Republic in a time of great turmoil.

Admiral is a 2016 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.