National Propaganda

In 1916, Willy Mullens was commissioned by the Ministerie van Oorlog (‘Ministry of War’) to make a propaganda film showcasing the efficiency of the Dutch army – despite the fact that the Netherlands was neutral during WWI. The film, known as the Leger- en vlootfilm, premiered on 9 January 1917 in the presence of Queen Wilhelmina and her husband, Prince Hendrik in the Residentie Bioscoop in The Hague. The film was a major hit and was reviewed favourably by the press. 

Early film milestone

Wilhelmina has a small, but important role in the film. She is seen inspecting her troops on horseback. For the first time, she seems to be aware of the camera and the effect these images have on her subjects. And not only her subjects, but also foreigners. The British praised the images of the queen on horseback as a symbol of the high standard of democracy in Dutch society.

The Leger- en vlootfilm can be seen as a milestone in early Dutch film history. Not only did the film firmly establish Willy Mullens as ‘the nation’s filmmaker’, it also affirmed above all that film could be an important medium for propaganda – which had been proved abroad by for instance the famous British film The Battle of the Somme (Geoffrey Malins & John McDowell, 1916).

Support for monarchy despite commotion

During the following period, film would play a significant role in Pieter-Jelles Troelstra’s failed revolution and the Belgian attempt to annex Limburg and Zeeland Flanders. In the beginning of November 1918, the Socialist politician Troelstra called for revolution. His words led to political uproar, but ultimately, there were only a few incidences of disturbance of the peace. Troelstra quickly toned down the sharpness of his remarks.

Once things had quieted down, a large demonstration was held to show support for the queen in The Hague on 18 November. Queen Wilhelmina and Princess Juliana were cheered on by an enormous crowd – the population clearly preferred the monarchy. Willy Mullens was there with his camera and the film he shot was released almost immediately in the cinemas.

Propaganda power

A year later, Mullens and the Kinematograaf Pathé Frères were also present when Queen Wilhelmina visited Limburg and Zeeland Flanders. These trips were in answer to the Belgian call to annex both areas as compensation for what they had suffered during the war. Both the politicians and the residents of Limburg and Zeeland Flanders dismissed these demands resolutely; the visits from the queen were seen as a affirmation of the bond between the Dutch monarchy and the local population.

The films of these events also enjoyed great success. It went so far that the journalist Felix Hageman, writing in 'De Film-Wereld', couldn’t hold back his enthusiasm: ‘It’s rare, at least in our country, that the propagandistic power of the “documentary film” is seen as clearly as it is in this film of our Queen’s truly breathtaking tour of South Limburg and Zeeland. The film in question is a people’s referendum, nothing more and nothing less.’ 

Film as propaganda had finally found a place in the Netherlands, with Willy Mullens as its first champion. Mullens, however, would soon meet with competition from Filmfabriek Polygoon.

Related pages

Victoria, Wilhelm, Dreyfus and Kruger

Just as in the countries bordering the Netherlands, the Dutch monarchy played a major role in the popularisation of film as a new medium.