The Assault (2012) Plot Summary & Timeline

The story unfolds through a brief prologue followed by five distinct “episodes” that span from 1945 to 1981. The first episode begins in January 1945, in the outskirts of Haarlem, where twelve-year-old Anton Steenwijk lives with his family under the harsh realities of Nazi Occupation. One fateful evening, chaos erupts when shots ring out, leading to the death of Fake Ploeg, a notorious Dutch collaborator. In a frantic bid for concealment, the Korteweg family, Anton’s next-door neighbors, transfer Ploeg’s lifeless body to the Steenwijks’ yard. This moment ignites a devastating chain reaction, resulting in the brutal murder of Anton’s family and the destruction of their home, as he is imprisoned in a dark cell at the local police station, where an unseen young woman prisoner offers him a glimmer of comfort.

As the Nazi authorities escort Anton to Amsterdam, a courageous German soldier makes the ultimate sacrifice to protect him during a deadly ambush on their convoy. Anton is then taken in by his aunt and uncle in the city, where the echoes of his traumatic past begin to shape his future. Over the following decades, Anton pursues a career as an anesthesiologist, marries twice, and raises two children with each of his wives. Yet, beneath this facade of a normal life lies a convoluted tapestry of repressed memories and an incomplete understanding of the tragedy that claimed his family.

Throughout the years, Anton’s ongoing struggle with fragmented recollections leaves him longing for clarity, grappling with the motivations behind that catastrophic night. He stumbles upon truths through serendipitous encounters rather than seeking out witnesses or survivors. As emotions swell within him, Anton confronts the moral ramifications of not just his actions, but also those of his parents and brother.

Amidst the backdrop of a transforming post-war Dutch society, marked by emerging political tensions surrounding the Cold War, the anti-establishment Provo movement, and a significant anti-nuclear demonstration, Anton’s revelations continue to unfold. Upon returning to Haarlem for the first time since 1952, he is somberly drawn to a monument honoring his parents alongside 29 others who lost their lives in retaliation for Ploeg’s assassination. Nostalgia clashes with the heavy burden of history as he reconnects with old acquaintances, including the Beumers, whose presence serves as a haunting reminder of the past.

Time brings unanticipated reunions, including an encounter with Fake (played by Grégori Derangère), the son of a former schoolmate and a man who shares a name with Ploeg. They find common ground in their narratives, but their experiences diverge; while Anton is left orphaned, Fake’s family, despite being collaborators, remarkably rebuilt their lives. However, Fake chooses to overlook his father’s role in the misfortunes that befell the Steenwijks, instead projecting blame onto the Communist resistance fighters for the ensuing violence. While Anton empathizes with Fake’s sorrow, he firmly rejects this narrative, making clear the brutality that ravaged his family due to Fascist actions.

As their conversation deepens, Fake uncovers his own guilt and sorrow, admitting he has often considered Anton’s plight but has never fully recognized the trauma others bear. This heartfelt exchange emphasizes that empathy and understanding can be vital healing forces even amid the darkest tragedies.

In a reflective moment at a 1966 funeral, Anton finds himself entangled in poignant discussions among old resistance members recalling their storied past. He becomes captivated by a whispered account of Ploeg’s assassination, igniting memories of that fateful night. Cor Takes (no actor name provided), a seasoned veteran of the fight against fascism, emerges as an unexpected confidant, engaging Anton in a fervent dialogue about justice and morality.

As the night progresses, Anton pieces together elusive fragments surrounding Ploeg’s assassination, including the calculated intricacy that marked its planning. He also starts to uncover the identity of the compassionate woman who comforted him during the chaos of that night, her presence remaining indelible in his memory. In collaboration with Takes, whose recollections blur the lines between fact and fiction, Anton struggles with the ambiguity surrounding his past.

Years later, as the joy of becoming a grandfather approaches, Anton faces another surprise encounter with a neighbor integral to the aftermath of Ploeg’s death. This meeting reveals deep moral dilemmas faced by the Kortewegs that night and resonates as a powerful reminder of the choices made amid uncertainty and turmoil. As Anton delves further into the mysteries of that long-buried evening, he confronts the enduring influence of memory and the unyielding quest for justice that defines all who lived through the turmoil.