Op hoop van zegen

Summary

Moving drama set in a fishing village, based on Herman Heijermans’ well-known play.

Fisherman’s widow Kniertje urges  her two younger sons to set sail on the ‘Op hoop van zegen’, a heavily insured floating wreck which duly goes down in a storm. Kniertje is left behind, alone and lonely.

Herman Heijermans’ socialist-inspired play 'Op hoop van zegen' premiered on the 24th of December 1900 and was an immediate and triumphant success. The play – a Dutch theatre classic – was performed abroad and was brought to the screen four times. Actress Esther de Boer - van Rijk, who had already made the part of Kniertje her own on stage, went on to play her in both Maurits Binger’s 1918 version and Alex Benno’s production of 1934. Op hoop van zegen (For the grace of God), Pygmalion and Morgen gaat het beter! (Tomorrow is Another Day) were some of the most successful productions of Dutch pre-war cinema.