Watch Storm: Luther's Forbidden Letter

Storm: Luther's Forbidden Letter is a historical drama from 2017 that revolves around the infamous Protestant Reformation period led by Martin Luther. The movie brings to light the struggle of a young boy named Storm (played by Davy Gomez) who inadvertently becomes a messenger of a vital piece of information. The film is directed by Dennis Bots and features Juna de Leeuw as Maria and Yorick van Wageningen as Klaas.

The story is set in the beautiful Netherlands of the 16th century, when the Catholics and Protestants are engaged in a fierce battle for power. The film begins with a chase scene where Storm is running errands for his father, who is a printer. During his escapades, he bumps into Maria (played by Juna de Leeuw), a Protestant girl who is on the run from the Catholic authorities. Together, they accidentally stumble upon Luther's forbidden letter that is being printed secretly in Storm's father's print shop.

The forbidden letter contains a message from Luther to the German Nobles that speaks against the corrupt practices of the Catholic Church. The letter urges the Nobles to support the Protestant cause and brings to light the insincere and immoral actions of the King and the Pope. The information in the letter is a significant threat to the Catholic regime, and whoever is caught with it will be sentenced to death.

Storm and Maria quickly realize the importance of the letter and decide to deliver it to its rightful recipient, the Prince of Orange. However, this proves to be a dangerous task as the Catholics have learned about the letter and are on the lookout for those who possess it. The two embark on a perilous journey through dense forests and rivers as they dodge the authorities' clutches.

The film brilliantly captures the daunting atmosphere of that era with its picturesque landscapes, gloomy castles, and intricate costumes. The settings give an immersive experience and add to the movie's historical accuracy. The film also depicts the societal divide of that time and the strict protocols which people had to follow in their everyday lives.

Another character that stands out is Klaas (played by Yorick van Wageningen), the father of Storm. He shows an intriguing character arc as he tries to balance his loyalty to his faith, his family and his conscience. Klaas is also the one printing the letter in his shop, and his secret is one of the main driving factors of the narrative. The dilemma of Klaas's character adds an extra layer of depth to the storyline, and his struggles mirror the society's struggle with their faith and beliefs.

The performances by the actors are noteworthy. Davy Gomez delivers a natural and realistic portrayal of Storm, and Juna de Leeuw gives a powerful performance as Maria, the feisty and independent girl who helps Storm in his mission. Yorick van Wageningen's portrayal of Klaas is poignant, where his character's internal struggle is apparent in every scene.

The film is not just a historical drama, but it also deals with themes of friendship, trust, love, and loyalty. The relationship between Storm and Maria is heartwarming, and their dynamic is a central element of the story. Storm's journey from a naive boy to a mature and knowledgeable young man is an inspiring one, and his sense of conviction is one that will resonate with the audience.

In conclusion, Storm: Luther's Forbidden Letter is a well-crafted historical drama that manages to tell a compelling story while accurately representing the Protestant Reformation period. The film holds the viewer's attention throughout, offering a glimpse into the past and an insight into the society's struggle with their beliefs. The performances are noteworthy, and the settings are breathtaking. It is a compelling movie that will leave a lasting impression on its audience.

Storm: Luther's Forbidden Letter is a 2017 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.