I just streamed this Dutch movie on Netflix and thought it was very good. Had to rewind the beginning to get the characters straight because of all the flashbacks, but that's a minor complaint. The acting was wonderful, especially by Waldemar Torenstra. I'd never heard of him, which is surprising, because he has incredible screen presence and charisma. So easy to see how Ada could fall for him in one flight. Too bad he hasn't been in more movies.The other actors were very good too, and the storyline, based on a real event, was compelling. The scenery was amazing--New Zealand is truly gorgeous--and it was fun to see cars etc. from the fifties. I read that this was one of the most expensive Dutch films ever, maybe because of all the location shooting.

The white subtitles, translating Dutch to English, on mostly white background, especially at the beginning of the, film mixed with some rapid flashbacks to different time periods, also early in the film, were found to be quite bothersome by myself and the three others with whom I attended this movie . This was especially true as the characters and storyline was being established. Despite this distraction, as the movie progressed we all found it to be quite engrossing. There was some very rich character development, excellent plot lines and a magnificent beautiful setting in New Zealand. The story begins in post World War II Holland in the 1950s as three young women (Karina Smulders, Anna Drijver and Elise Schaap) are boarding an airplane for New Zealand to join their new husbands and start a new life. One of them is Jewish and the trauma of the holocaust will have a very subtle cast on the film. On board they also meet Frank (Wakdenar Torenstra ) a young man, somewhat of a free spirit, also seeking a new life as a farmer and ultimately a wine maker who will play prominently in their lives. The story captures the frontier life in New Zealand at this time, the conflicts of religion, passion, friendships and good old fashioned romance. There is also a theme of an important family secret that hovers in the story and should be one that you have seen and thought about in other settings. In alternating time sequences, we get to know these people as their lives progress to a point 40 or 50 years later. There is a coming together at the conclusion of the film, which is poignant and quite moving. This is the story about these people but the background atmosphere is the post war settlement of this small beautiful land. After seeing this film whenever you enjoy a glass of New Zealand wine you may reflect on this movie and the people whose lives you came to understand. FilmRap.net

This is an absolute GEM of a movie that tells the story of 3 women and 1 man who meet on a flight as they are emigrating in the early 50's from the Netherlands to New Zealand, leaving behind floods and terrible economic conditions. Many of the women on this flight(like our protagonists) have already accepted proposals of marriage from New Zealand men whom they have not even met. These 4 actors embark on a new life; but as things work out ,their lives become intertwined in unusual and unimagined ways.As events unfold, we see the consequences of decisions, some of which should have been reconsidered and were not,some which could be renounced and were, and some which were allowed to play out with tumultuous results.This intriguing saga is at times agonizing,at times uplifting, at times poignant but always compelling. The actors are excellent and fully photogenic! If you are interested in a superb,engrossing and captivating drama, get on board,buckle up and enjoy the flight.

When I first saw this movie, I didn't come in with any expectations other than what a title like "Bride Flight" elicits. Which in as many words probably equates to Love Story On or around a plane. Which is true enough, I was actually surprised how short the time they spent on the plane actually was. Early on the inclusion of some actual footage of the time period explains purposely the concept of the movie, a small exodus of brides-to-be to new Zealand in a race to break a previous flight record. This movie takes that premise and turns it into so much more, the characters are so fleshed out. They each have their own past and views about what they want for the future, a future that we get to see at the beginning of the movie and intermittently throughout. I don't want to ruin the movie by going into detail about all the plot twists and turns you'll just have to go see it, but you won't be disappointed when you realize not everything is as it seems in the past or present.