Watch Because of the Cats

Because of the Cats is a crime-thriller movie from 1973 directed by Fons Rademakers. The movie is based on the 1963 novel “Because of the Cats” by Nicolas Freeling. The movie follows the story of a group of young hooligans who terrorize a wealthy Dutch village by breaking into their homes, committing crimes, and raping young women. The group calls themselves “The Cats,” as they are fond of torturing cats as a form of sadistic entertainment.

The movie starts with a robbery at a mansion, where the robbers not only steal valuable jewels but also rape the housemaid. This leads to an investigation by detective Van der Valk (Bryan Marshall) and the local police, who try to track down the culprits. The movie takes a turn when one of the members of The Cats, Ronnie (Hans Van Tongeren), falls in love with a young woman named Gina (Sylvia Kristel), and starts to question the morality of his actions.

Throughout the movie, the audience is shown different perspectives of the story. The wealthy people of the Dutch village are shown to be vain, superficial, and snobbish, while The Cats are portrayed as troubled, lost young men who act out their anger and frustration in violent ways. The director uses multiple flashbacks to provide the audience with the backstory of each character, giving them an insight into the personal struggles that led them to this life of crime.

As the investigation progresses, Van der Valk makes significant progress in his search for the culprits. However, when Ronnie decides to leave the group and confess his sins, things start to spiral out of control. The remaining members of The Cats are determined to silence Ronnie at any cost, leading to a dramatic final sequence of events that culminates in a violent showdown between the different parties involved.

The cinematography in Because of the Cats is noteworthy, with its stark portrayal of the Dutch countryside adding to the overall atmosphere of the movie. The use of muted colors and dimly lit scenes adds to the gritty, raw feel of the story, making it more palpable for the audience. The soundtrack is also well-suited to the film, using melancholic music to enhance the emotions of the characters.

The acting in Because of the Cats is superb, especially by Bryan Marshall, who plays a determined and hard-nosed detective. The young cast, including Hans van Tongeren, Alexandra Stewart, and Sylvia Kristel, also put in brilliant performances, making their characters believable and relatable.

Because of the Cats is a movie that delves into the complexities of human behavior and how people act out their frustrations and anger in violent ways. The movie is a gritty and raw portrayal of a specific time and place and how societal pressures can lead individuals to commit heinous acts in search of personal gratification. Despite being released in 1973, the movie still feels relevant today, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in watching a thought-provoking and intense crime-thriller.