When I first read about this movie I was pleasantly surprised. Making a movie about Oss in the Netherlands depicting the problems (crime, poverty) in the 1930's. I read a lot about what happened in that period. Moreover my grandfather was a member of the Marechaussee in Oss in those days. He was – to say the least – responsible for the arrest of a lot of those criminals in that period. That's why I have to say, that this movie doesn't give an accurate picture of the situation in that period. Not at all to be honest. There are a couple of persons (whose names are different in the movie of course) who really existed in those days and have committed the crimes that you can see in the movie. But apart from that the movie isn't historically correct. Well, that doesn't have to be a problem of course, since most of the viewers know nothing of what happened during those days in and around Oss. So it doesn't bother me really. What does bother me really very much is the fact that in the end of the movie people can read on the screen that many of the Marechaussee members joined the NSB (a pro Nazi movement in Holland in those days). That is absolutely not true. There may have been a few, but most of them joined the underground resistance, who helped American and British pilots to escape from the Germans). In my opinion the movie makers should have been more careful in making such a statement. Apart from that it is not a bad movie. The settings are OK as well as the clothing, the speech (dialect the people speak). The movie depicts the atmosphere of life in those days in a Dutch small city. All in all a nice movie to watch on a rainy afternoon. But keep in mind that the link to the real situation in those days isn't really present in the movie (well maybe for about 5%).

De bende van Oss provides a convincing historical image of a dark period influenced by the obscene marriage of capitalism and catholicism in the southern part of the Netherlands during the thirties of the 20th century, concentrated in a small town by the name of Oss. De bende means 'the gang' but has another meaning as well: terrible disorder, filth, dirt. Exploitation of workers, bribe, blackmail, rape and murder became a hopeless daily routine and in the end 'de bende' even reached the Dutch Government at the time. The daring and wonderfully detailed script is based on a mosaic of true stories, gathered from a longer period of time: from the late 19th century up to WW II in which the industrialization in Oss took place. As the police from the north of the Netherlands comes in to restore law and order, a young woman - Jean Harlow blond Sylvia Hoeks can play effortless all the necessary looks - tries to escape from her fate as a whore and from the filth that surrounds her and her family, deeply involved in crime as well. In the end she succeeds, but she - as Godmother Maria, dressed in a blue blanket - has to pay a high price. After an amazing shoot out that reminds the spectator of High Noon, she manages - with many others - to flee on a steamer bound for the United States - just before WW II breaks out - to start a new life. De bende van Oss is a unique movie because of the documentary structured base which turns the dramatic story into a true story, instead of the other way around, thanks to the highly intelligent script, written by director André van Duren en Paul Jan Nelissen.Richard Fokker / Hoogland / the Netherlands / 2011-11-22 / Scriptwriter / art historian.

The first thing you notice about the film is just how beautifully made it is. Everything from the costume, set, acting, and the general atmosphere of the film is excellent. Very good attention to detail.The story is interesting and although it is based on a true story, still full of the unexpected and is very original.My biggest problem with this film is the length and tempo of it. It is a long film and although I appreciate that they would want to stay true to the story but that causes the film to drag in places and feels very slow. And it is very easy to loose interest and difficult to keep your attention on the film in places.A nice film with an interesting story line.

In the 1930's a small town called Oss, from the province Noord-Brabant, gets involved in serious crimes. An infamous gang called De Bende van Oss (The Gang of Oss) are the perpetrators, and no one dares to mess with them not even the local police force. From beginning to end the film stays in a certain tension, and not losing its excitement. The character development is good and the locations are well-chosen. One thing I liked the most was the dark atmosphere that covers almost the entire film. This reminded me of the Great Depression that was leading back in those times. For me this film has an extra value, because I live in the town Oss. There were certain elements easily recognizable for me, such as locations and some cast members.I recommend this movie for viewers that are interested in historic films, or one with a good storyline.