Forty Years (1938): cast, story & where to watch
1938 · Film
Released in 1938, Forty Years is a drama and history film directed by Edmond T. Gréville, running about 85 minutes.
What it’s about. This government commissioned film -- made on the occasion of the forty year anniversary of queen Wilhelmina's reign -- chronicles the lives of two Dutch families from 1898 to 1938 against the backdrop of the social and political events of the times. It shows the emergence of trade unions, the troubled years of the First World War, the development of aviation and Schiphol airport, the Dutch East Indies and the lives of the Dutch royal family.
Who’s in it. Forty Years stars Cees Laseur as Rolf van Meerle, Lily Bouwmeester as Annetje Maasdonk, Matthieu van Eysden as Frans Maasdonk and Ank van der Moer as Eline Verhulst, among others.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Forty Years page.
If you liked it. Fans of Forty Years tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Forty Years (1938)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Forty Years change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Who stars in Forty Years?
- Forty Years stars Cees Laseur, Lily Bouwmeester, Matthieu van Eysden, Ank van der Moer and Eduard Verkade.
- When was Forty Years released?
- Forty Years was released in 1938, with a runtime of about 85 minutes.