Bernhard, the story of a German

Overview

Documentary accompanying the new book 'Bernhard: A Hidden History' by author Annejet van der Zijl. The book provides a historical reconstruction of Bernhard zur Lippe Biesterfeld's German childhood. For this, Van der Zijl spent five years researching the archives of, among others, Bernhard's German family and his secondary schools, and spoke with friends and acquaintances from his time in Germany. NOS reporter Arjan Nieuwenhuizen interviews Van der Zijl and returned to Wojnowo, now located in Poland but German territory at the time, and the place where Bernhard grew up on the Reckenwalde estate. Arjan Nieuwenhuizen unexpectedly stumbled upon unique private footage of Bernhard himself, filmed during his childhood and the first years with Princess Juliana. Excerpts from this can be seen in the documentary.

Cast

Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands

Self (archive footage)

Arjan Nieuwenhuizen

Self

Annejet van der Zijl

Self

Armin zur Lippe

Self

Queen Juliana of the Netherlands

Self (archive footage)

Armgard von Cramm

Self (archive footage)

Leopold IV, Prince of Lippe

Self (archive footage)

Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany

Self (archive footage)

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands

Self (archive footage)

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

Self (archive footage)