THE EXCEPTION (2016)

Summary:

Set against the backdrop of occupied Holland in 1940, "The Exception" is a compelling historical drama that intertwines espionage, forbidden romance, and the moral complexities of war. The story centers on Captain Stefan Brandt, a German officer assigned to guard the exiled Kaiser Wilhelm II at his secluded estate, Huis Doorn. Brandt's mission extends beyond protection; he must also uncover a potential spy within the Kaiser's household, believed to be working with the Dutch resistance.

As Brandt meticulously investigates, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to Mieke de Jong, a mysterious and captivating Jewish Dutch maid. Their passionate, clandestine affair forces Brandt to confront his loyalties and the true nature of the Nazi regime, especially when it is revealed that Mieke herself is a resistance agent. The arrival of Heinrich Himmler for a visit to the Kaiser escalates the stakes, pushing Brandt to make an impossible choice between duty to his country and the woman he loves, with potentially devastating consequences for all involved.

Keywords: The Exception, 2016, Jai Courtney, Lily James, Christopher Plummer, War, Drama, Romance, Espionage, WWII, Nazi Germany, Dutch Resistance.

Plot:

The film opens in occupied Netherlands in 1940, establishing the tense atmosphere of a nation under Nazi rule. Captain Stefan Brandt, a decorated but disillusioned German officer, is assigned a new and peculiar duty: to guard the exiled Kaiser Wilhelm II at his grand but isolated estate, Huis Doorn. Brandt arrives with a dual mission: to ensure the Kaiser's security and, more critically, to uncover a suspected British spy operating within the household, believed to be relaying information to the Dutch resistance. His superiors, particularly the SS, are concerned about the Kaiser's potential as a rallying point for dissent or a target for enemy agents.

Upon his arrival, Brandt is introduced to the anachronistic world of the Kaiser, a man still living in a self-imposed delusion of grandeur, surrounded by his loyal staff and his second wife, Princess Hermine Reuss of Greiz. Wilhelm spends his days chopping wood, reminiscing about his past glory, and dictating memoirs, all while harboring a fervent, if increasingly unrealistic, hope of being reinstated to power. Brandt observes the household, which includes the Kaiser's long-serving aide, Colonel Sigurd von Ilsemann, and a diverse group of domestic staff. Among them is Mieke de Jong, a young, intelligent, and strikingly beautiful Dutch maid whose quiet demeanor and penetrating gaze immediately captivate Brandt.

As Brandt begins his investigation, he finds himself increasingly drawn to Mieke. Their initial interactions are charged with an unspoken tension, a mix of suspicion and undeniable attraction. Despite the immense risks and the clear lines of their opposing loyalties, they embark on a passionate, clandestine affair. Their secret meetings, often in the secluded corners of the estate or during stolen moments, become a dangerous dance of desire and deception. During these encounters, Mieke subtly probes Brandt for information about the German military presence, the Kaiser's security, and the broader political landscape, while Brandt, increasingly smitten, finds himself sharing details he knows he shouldn't, blurring the lines between duty and personal desire.

The investigation intensifies as Brandt uncovers small but significant clues pointing towards a spy. He discovers a hidden radio transmitter, confirming the presence of an enemy agent. His suspicions, initially spread across several members of the household, begin to coalesce around Mieke. Her guarded nature, her intelligence, and her uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time raise red flags. Yet, his growing affection for her creates a profound internal conflict, pitting his professional obligation against his burgeoning love. He grapples with the moral dilemma of reporting her, knowing the severe consequences she would face under Nazi law, especially if she were indeed Jewish, a fact he begins to suspect.

The stakes skyrocket with the announcement of an impending visit by Heinrich Himmler, the feared head of the SS. Himmler's purpose is multifaceted: to assess Wilhelm's loyalty, to ensure the Kaiser is not becoming a liability, and to subtly assert the SS's authority over even the most revered figures of old Germany. This visit is not just a political event; it is a critical window of opportunity for Mieke's true mission. It is revealed to the audience that Mieke is indeed Jewish and a dedicated member of the Dutch resistance. Her objective is to gather vital intelligence from within the Kaiser's household during Himmler's visit, specifically details about German military movements and plans, and to relay this information to the Allied forces. Her ultimate goal is to identify and expose the location of a significant resistance cell that has been compromised.

Brandt, having confirmed his suspicions about Mieke's true identity and her Jewish heritage, confronts her. In a moment of raw vulnerability and desperate trust, Mieke confesses everything: her background, the horrors her family has endured under the Nazi regime, and her perilous mission. This confession forces Brandt to make an agonizing choice. He can either betray the woman he loves and uphold his oath to a regime he increasingly despises, or he can protect her, risking his own life and career in the process. His humanity triumphs over his indoctrination, and he chooses to help Mieke.

Mieke reveals that her contact within the Kaiser's household is none other than Colonel Sigurd von Ilsemann, a man deeply disillusioned by the Nazi party's rise to power and its perversion of German honor. Together, they devise a plan to utilize Himmler's visit as the perfect cover for Mieke to transmit the critical intelligence. The plan is fraught with danger, requiring meticulous timing and unwavering courage from all three. Mieke must discreetly gather information from Himmler's conversations, transmit it using the hidden radio, and then orchestrate an escape before her cover is irrevocably blown.

Himmler's arrival casts a long, chilling shadow over Huis Doorn. The atmosphere becomes thick with tension, fear, and barely concealed animosity. Mieke, under the guise of serving the high-ranking guests, moves through the house, her senses heightened, attempting to overhear crucial details from Himmler's discussions with the Kaiser and his staff. Brandt, maintaining his facade of a loyal officer, subtly creates diversions and covers for Mieke, his heart pounding with every close call. The Kaiser, despite his initial subservience, displays surprising defiance against Himmler, particularly when the SS leader attempts to exert control over his personal affairs or question his loyal staff. Wilhelm, though unaware of Mieke's full espionage, instinctively protects his household from SS intrusion, inadvertently aiding her mission.

The climax unfolds during a chaotic sequence. Mieke successfully transmits the vital intelligence. However, the transmission is detected, and the German security forces close in, realizing a spy is present. Brandt, making his definitive choice, actively aids Mieke's escape. A desperate chase ensues through the estate. Colonel Ilsemann plays a crucial role, creating a diversion that buys Mieke and Brandt precious time. In a climactic confrontation, Brandt makes a direct and public choice to protect Mieke, engaging in a physical struggle with German soldiers to facilitate her escape. Mieke manages to get away, carrying the vital intelligence with her, leaving Brandt to face the immediate repercussions of his actions.

In the aftermath, Brandt is interrogated by the SS. However, with the assistance of the Kaiser, who, witnessing Brandt's humanity and Mieke's plight, provides a cleverly worded alibi and a letter of recommendation, Brandt manages to obfuscate his full involvement. The Kaiser, having shown a surprising moral compass, subtly acknowledges Brandt's courage and his choice to protect Mieke. Mieke successfully reaches England, delivering the critical intelligence to the Allied forces, having completed her perilous mission. The film concludes with Brandt, forever changed by his experiences and his love for Mieke, contemplating his future, having chosen humanity and love over blind loyalty to a tyrannical regime. Mieke, now safe in England, carries the weight of her experiences and the indelible memory of the German officer who risked everything for her.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Jai Courtney as Captain Stefan Brandt
• Lily James as Mieke de Jong
• Christopher Plummer as Kaiser Wilhelm II
• Janet McTeer as Princess Hermine Reuss of Greiz
• Ben Daniels as Colonel Sigurd von Ilsemann
• Eddie Marsan as Heinrich Himmler

Crew:

• Director: David Leveaux
• Screenwriter: Simon Burke (based on "The Kaiser's Last Kiss" by Alan Judd)
• Producers: Judy Tossell, Lou Pitt
• Cinematography: Roman Osin
• Editor: Peter Culverhouse
• Music: Ilan Eshkeri

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: June 2, 2017 (United States theatrical)
• Language: English, German
• Genre: Drama, Romance, War
• Running Time: 107 minutes
• Accolades: Christopher Plummer received critical acclaim for his performance as Kaiser Wilhelm II.