De hel van '63 (2009)

The story focuses on four competitors in the Twelfth Eleven Cities Tour. Cavalry sergeant Henk Brenninkmeijer (Cas Jansen) deserts so he can take part in the race. Laborer Kees Ferwerda (Chris Zegers) has been fired for the umpteenth time, and his heavily pregnant wife, Dieuwke, wants to leave him. He rides the race to prove that he is still capable of something. Farmer’s son Sjoerd Lelkema (Lourens van den Akker) wants to prove to his uncle that he is a determined person, unlike his father. He hopes that his uncle will then agree to guarantee a loan he wants to take out so he can buy his farm. Nurse Annemiek (Chava voor in ’t Holt) takes part in honor of her boyfriend, who fell through the ice and drowned a year earlier while training for the Eleven Cities Tour. During their arduous journey, they help each other through it. Under pressure from the press and the Queen’s Commissioner, the association decides to let the race go ahead, despite the appalling weather conditions. Sjoerd is 17, while the minimum age for taking part is 18; he rides anyway and has the stamps put on his arm. After reaching Dokkum, Annemiek stops and hands her stamp card over to Sjoerd. The checkpoints are closed because the organizers do not consider it responsible, given the bad weather, to let those who have not yet passed through continue. Henk, Kees, and Sjoerd then stamp their cards themselves, against the rules. Between Dokkum and Leeuwarden, they ride a short stretch by car to avoid a checkpoint that is taking the remaining skaters off the ice. They earn the Eleven Cities Cross after riding an extra stretch on their own to make up for the short distance they covered by car. Henk’s superior, senior sergeant Hoeks (Cees Geel), is proud of him and forgives him for deserting. Things work out again between Kees and Dieuwke, who gave birth to a son during the race. Sjoerd gets a loan from his uncle because he has proved that he is determined. He continues his relationship with Annemiek.