Mysteries + Pastorale 1943 – Cult Epics (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Netherlands, 1978 (Mysteries, Pastorale 1943)
Directors: Paul de Lussanet (Mysteries), Wim Verstappen (Pastorale 1943)
Cast: Rutger Hauer, Sylvia Kristel, David Rappaport, Rita Tushingham, Andréa Ferréol, Kees Brusse, Liesbeth List, Fons Rademakers, Marina de Graaf, Adrian Brine (Mysteries), Frederik de Groot, Leen Jongewaard, Coen Flink, Sacco van der Made, Hein Boele, Geert de Jong, Liane Saalborn, Bram van der Vlugt, Bernard Droog, Renée Soutendijk, Sylvia Kristel, Rutger Hauer (Pastorale 1943),

Release Date: June 24th, 2025
Approximate Running Times: 102 Minutes 32 Seconds (Mysteries), 128 Minutes 10 Seconds (Pastorale 1943)
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Films)
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Dutch/English (Mysteries), DTS-HD Mono Dutch/English (Mysteries), LPCM Mono Dutch/German (Pastorale 1943), DTS-HD Mono Dutch/German (Pastorale 1943),
Subtitles: English (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"Mysteries + Pastorale 1943, two Dutch classics co-starring Rutger Hauer and Sylvia Kristel at the peak of their career. Painter turned director Paul de Lussanet's romantic psychological drama Mysteries, was based on the world famous novel by the Norwegian nobel prize winner Knut Hamsun and shot by renowned cinematographer Robby Müller, also stars Rita Tushingham and David Rappaport. Submitted for the 1978 Academy Awards -- Best Foreign Film, Wim Verstappen's Pastorale 1943 is a war drama centered on the Dutch resistance during World War II, and features the debut of Renée Soutendijk." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.5/5 (Mysteries, Pastorale 1943)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfers, "New 2K HD Transfer."

Mysteries comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 31.3 GB

Feature: 28 GB

Pastorale 1943 comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 38.9 GB

Feature: 32.8 GB

These two sources are comparable; outside a few very minor instances of print debris, the source is in excellent shape. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity is generally strong, compression is very good, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction. That said, black levels are not as convincing as they should be.

Audio: 4.25/5 (All Audio Tracks)

Each film comes with two audio options, an LPCM track in mono and a DTS-HD track in mono. Language and subtitles are listed above. I could not discern any differences between the LPCM and the DTS-HD audio tracks. All audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, the score and ambient sounds are well represented.

Extras:

Extras for Mysteries include a poster & photo gallery (60 images - posters/stills), a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 33 seconds, DTS-HD mono English, no subtitles), an archival featurette with Rutger Hauer, Sylvia Kristel, and director Paul de Lussanet (6 minutes 27 seconds, DTS-HD mono English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with university lecturer Peter Verstraten, and an audio commentary with author Jeremy Richey.

Other extras on this disc are trailers for Julia and Pastorale 1943.

Extras for Pastorale 1943 include a poster & photo gallery (74 images - posters/stills), a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 2 seconds, DTS-HD mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actress Sylvia Kristel, she discusses typecasting and acting (11 minutes 2 seconds, DTS-HD mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with Sylvia Kristel and actor Derek de Lint (7 minutes 35 seconds, DTS-HD mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with Peter Verstraten.

Other extras on this disc are trailers for Julia and Mysteries.

Other extras include reversible cover art and a slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

Mysteries: The narrative revolves around Johan Nagel, an enigmatic stranger whose arrival in a small town causes a disturbance. His story is retold by a character named Minute, a midget who he befriended. Though he is an outsider, Johan Nagel is a selfless individual who consistently helps others, particularly those who are marginalized. In addition to his friendship with Minute, he forms connections with two women, but despite his best efforts, they remain unattainable.

Mysteries is a character-driven film in which all of the cast are phenomenal, especially Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner) in the role of Johan Nagel. Though his character is a mystery that is never fully exposed, he delivers a rich performance, which in lesser hands would not have been so engaging. Other performances of note are Sylvia Kristel (La marge) and Rita Tushingham (A Taste of Honey); they portray the two women that Johan Nagel falls in love with. Despite his affection for both of them, these two women could not be more unlike.

While Mysteries is primarily classified as a drama, it also incorporates elements that evoke the essence of folk horror. The deliberately paced narrative has an ample amount of backstory, and it does a superb job holding your attention. Another strength is its locations, which are beautifully photographed. Laurens van Rooyen’s exemplary score, along with the stunning visuals, effectively reinforces the film's mood. Ultimately, Mysteries is a captivating story that explores themes of romantic obsession.

Pastorale 1943: Wim Verstappen directed Pastorale 1943. He’s most known for his collaborations with Pim de la Parra.

When Dutch resistance fighters discover that one of their countrymen is a Nazi informer, they try to assassinate him.

Set in the Netherlands during World War II, Pastorale 1943 is a film about those fighting and standing up against their occupiers and those who have turned their back on their country. Though Pastorale 1943 covers familiar territory, it is never predictable and is overflowing with tense moments. That said, as well-executed as its narrative is, its finale is underwhelming considering the events that preceded it.

Despite Pastorale 1943 being a film about Nazi occupation, their actual presence is minimal. The main focus is the Dutch traitors who are collaborating with the Nazis. In addition to the resistance fighters, there are those who help hide Jews and other Nazi targets. Fear is central to the story that unfolds, and the narrative does an excellent job showing the lengths that someone will go to survive in a desperate situation.

All around, the performances are outstanding. The standout performance is Renée Soutendijk (The 4th Man), who portrays Marie Bovenkamp, a young woman who's having an affair with a Nazi sympathizer. Her family owns a farm, where they help people hide from the Nazis, and when one of them angers her, she exposes his hiding place. Unfortunately, her moment of anger leads to more than she bargained for when the Nazis arrest her parents and burn down their farm. 

The two most notable cast members are Rutger Hauer (The Hitcher) in the role of Nazi officer and Sylvia Kristel (Emmanuelle) in the role of a Jewish schoolteacher. Both of their roles are limited when it comes to screen time; in the case of the former, he does not appear until the final scene.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Pastorale 1943 does not excel. The outstanding production design effectively creates an authentic environment. The first half of the narrative is more character-focused, while the latter half is when the tension really kicks into overdrive. The most tense moment is the scene where Dutch resistance fighters wait outside of a Nazi sympathizer's house, and things go awry when his son comes out instead. Ultimately, Pastorale 1943 is an extraordinary drama that quickly draws you in and always holds your attention.

Mysteries and Pastorale 1943 get a first-rate release from Cult Epics that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer