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Skating more than 200 kilometers past 11 Frisian towns,

this is the longest skating marathon in the world.

The top prize is a tiny silver cross.

In '63 not only was it a long tour, but it was also the heaviest

in the history of the Elfstedentocht.

For me, as one of the competition skaters, it will always be

a day of personal triumph, but for more that 10,000 tour skaters

the tour became a hellish ordeal.

They called it: The Hell of '63.

BASED ON TRUE EVENTS

Lovely weather, lovely ice. Let's sprint, Annemiek.

- Not now. - Come on, join me.

- You go. - Okay.

And off he goes: Melle van der Grift.

Will he get a silver cross? Yes, he's going to make it.

A new record for Melle...

Melle!

Melle, you have to go over there.

Melle, swim over there. Melle!

A YEAR LATER

Hurry to Friesland…

- …a lively situation. - Dear listeners, at this time…

Everyone has caught the Elfsteden virus.

It is quite possible that the eleven area supervisors…

This is the second truck you have totaled in the last month and a half.

You are fired.

Beat it.

You can't do that, because I have a contract.

Yes.

And do you know what I'll do with that contract?

AN ELFSTEDENTOCHT TOMORROW?

And now the weather forecast for the days ahead. The east wind…

- Hey! - …Will gradually increase to gale force.

Temperatures will drop to…

Put that scum in Hoeks's platoon, let him solve it.

- …a chance of snow… - Brennink, I need you.

Are you shushing me?

…that can cause large snowdrifts, so take precautions.

Now the national news. Friesland is in the grips of Elfstedentocht fever.

Skating fans are counting on it that the tour to end all tours

will get the go-ahead in the next couple of days. The area supervisors…

Your lease runs out next month. What will you do? Buy?

Just so you know, I've received an excellent offer.

- Yeah. - We'll buy it.

Is that so?

You know my price, right?

- Sixty thousand. - We can offer you fifty-five.

Sjoerd, shut your trap.

For the past 24 years, my father took excellent care of the farm.

That's worth something.

- Fifty-nine. - Fifty-six.

I'm warning you. Like I said, I received a good offer.

- Yes. - Fifty-seven.

Fifty-eight.

That comes to 57,500. Sold?

On the condition that I have a bank guarantee within 48 hours

or from another reliable party.

Or the deal is off.

You'll hear from me within 48 hours.

- We don't have that money. - So we'll get a loan, Father.

You'll be laughed out of the bank, don't you see?

Uncle Albe can guarantee that money. Or Uncle Bauke.

- They have plenty of money. - They won't do it.

Why not?

Forget it. I'll ask them myself tomorrow.

If there will be an Elfstedentocht, I can do both in one go.

Sjoerd, I'm warning you. Do not go and see them, you hear me?

What happened back then, Father? What?

- I must attend to the cows. - Why won't you tell me? Father!

Fired? What happened this time? You only just started working there.

- I'll find another job. - Really?

You've been fired three times in nine weeks. What do you want, Kees?

Then I only have one option.

I'll become a millionaire.

Kees…

- I want to... - Quiet.

- Kees! - Will you be quiet.

The area supervisors of the eleven towns are now meeting in Leeuwarden.

They've been in talks for an hour

and the board of the eleven towns are expected to make a decision soon

to hold a new Elfstedentocht, the 12th in history.

Last year the tour was cancelled at the last minute for no apparent reason…

- Don't you like ice-skating? - …The board members disagreed.

Me neither.

But now they seem to be in agreement.

- The Elfstedentocht… - Not anymore.

…can start tomorrow, according to an excited Frisian we asked for a comment.

Did you hear that, Dieuw? There will be an Elfstedentocht!

Get the skates and tomorrow…

I'm going to my mother, Kees.

Sweetie.

I'll find another job in two days. It will be alright.

- Come on, let's go to the pub. - You think you can live off the wind.

- We are having a baby! - Bring on that baby.

You don't get it, do you? You never finish what you start.

You never do what you promise.

- It's not that bad. - Really?

You were going to get me a TV, before Open het Dorp. So where is it?

- Only the Queen has a TV. - That's not true.

My mother has one. And my sister. My other sister as well.

All three of them have a TV.

Time for a record, listeners. "Great Balls of Fire."

Is this great, or is this great?

- Jack, we'll fall through the ice. - We won't.

Friesland is part of the North Pole.

Stop!

Stop being so jolly, they might not appreciate you or your newspaper.

Perhaps they will.

Jack! Drive carefully.

Please!

Idiot!

Gentlemen, let's continue the meeting. People are waiting.

Let's see. Where were we?

Right, gentlemen. Are you in agreement?

- May I ask who you are? - Jack van Houten. De Telegraaf.

Look what I have here. There.

ELFSTEDENTOCHT IS ON

Extra edition of the paper, distributed nationally.

A newspaper from Amsterdam telling us what to do?

Did you set a date for the event?

Hey. This is a closed meeting.

- What is your decision? - We haven't made a decision.

Now I must ask you to leave.

Please, what's the problem?

I rode across Lake IJssel, there was ice everywhere. What's the problem?

Please leave now. Help me out here.

Listen. Last time you cancelled it at the very last minute.

- You can't do that after this heavy frost. - Out!

Stubborn Frisian, listen to me. How much ice do you need? Unbelievable.

The whole country is counting on it.

"Does Friesland have the guts?"

They are taunting us.

I want no part of it. I vote against, it's too dangerous.

Man, don't be so dramatic. The ice is finally thick enough.

And what type of ice is it, Kingma? Pancake ice, cat ice, superimposed ice?

Too many cracks, ridges and snow drifts. You can't skate on that.

And how cold is it really?

It's getting colder every day. Seventeen, eighteen degrees below zero.

And will it be that cold tomorrow?

The Eleven Lakes tour has been cancelled. It's irresponsible.

Wait, I agree with Kingma. The whole country is counting on it.

Everybody expects it: the public, volunteers, the press and the skaters.

The ice is thick enough everywhere, De Wolf. We simply cannot say "no."

But what if the skaters are freezing to death?

Who will take responsibility for that?

People could die.

Ritsma.

Commissioner!

Of the Queen.

- No, not yet, Commissioner. - Then I have big news for you, Ritsma.

The NTS called.

The television network?

Yes, they want to broadcast the Elfstedentocht.

Live, as they call it. With I don't know how many cameras.

Ehm, Commissioner, we have not made a decision yet.

Her Majesty the Queen wants to attend,

perhaps with the princess.

Of course, I don't want to interfere, I'm sure you understand.

However… Well, you do understand. Don't you?

Yes, I understand, Commissioner.

We cannot let this pass us by, Ritsma.

Tomorrow Friesland will be the center of the world. Friesland is my responsibility.

I am counting on you.

In Friesland they are putting it to a vote and if it is approved,

the 12th Elfstedentocht may even start tomorrow.

- Sneek? - For.

- IJlst? - Against.

Listeners, we still don't have the result of the vote here in Leeuwarden,

- but it is expected any minute. - Dear listeners,

the many reporters here today are speculating on the outcome

and things are getting very tense.

Bolsward?

Is for.

- Sloten? - For.

- Stavoren? - For.

- Hindeloopen. - Against.

Workum?

For.

- Harlingen. - Against.

- Franeker? - See anything?

Be quiet!

Didn't you hear me ask that? Jackass!

Don't do that. Didn't you hear me? Cow!

Calm down. The tour won't happen. The cold will turn skaters into fish fingers.

That's what you think.

Dokkum.

For.

And Leeuwarden?

Against.

Right. So the result is: Five against

and six for.

Look, ice and Frisians are like magnets.

Like you and me.

So, gentlemen…

I would say...

It giet troch.

- Joke, what does troch mean? - Ahead.

- Are you Joke? - Troch is "ahead."

Of course. Do I look like a moron? It's going ahead.

It giet troch… It's going ahead! It giet troch!

It means that the Elfstedentocht that was cancelled in December 1961

will go ahead this year.

- It's going ahead. - Yes!

It's going ahead.

Yes!

Hold on, Melle!

Hold on, Melle. Melle, it's over here.

Melle, the stick, grab the stick!

The stick is where the hole is. Melle!

No!

What's the matter?

- The event was approved. - Will you skate in it?

I don't know.

Melle really wanted an Elfsteden cross.

What would Melle think if you were to skate in it?

He was a fanatic skater. He loved the Elfstedentocht.

So why are you still here?

My daughter is pregnant. Her water broke.

Make it tight. Yes, that's good.

IT'S GOING AHEAD

Dieuw!

Dieuwke, are you asleep?

I'm skating in the Elfstedentocht. I'll bring you the cross tonight.

Is that alright?

And we'll talk.

I'll find a new job, I swear. And I'll get you a brand-new TV.

I want to prove to you that I can do this. Do you understand?

That's a promise.

Sleep tight.

What are you up to?

Sergeant Major.

- Brennink? - Yes.

- I hope there's a war on. - No, this is bigger than that.

- It giet troch. - Troch?

The tour.

Troch, tour. Talk like a normal person.

The Elfstedentocht. And I'm going to skate in it. Okay, bye.

Brennink. I'm warning you. You're not going anywhere.

Oh boy.

Brenninkmeijer. You are on watch as of right now.

- Brennink, come here! - You can do without me for a day.

Brenninkmeijer requesting a one-day leave.

Arrest that man! Well? What are you waiting for?

You bunch of wimps.

Brennink? Brenninkmeijer!

Deserter!

Bunch of deadbeats.

The sergeant major gave you a day off?

You'll be so proud when I finish it.

And in IJlst I want you to bring me pea soup, pancakes in Workum,

and in Leeuwarden…

I want you.

Silly.

I booked a room in Hotel Het Anker.

- What? - For tonight.

You catch my drift, right?

Yes.

- I want to it too, Henk. - But first, pea soup in IJlst.

TELEPHONE

Don't say anything.

I just want Melle to have his little cross.

- Miek, promise me one thing. - I promise, Dad.

The chances are slim.

There won't be that many ice holes at minus twenty.

Where are you off to?

Skate the Elfstedentocht and see Uncle.

What did I tell you? You are not to go begging from people. Are you nuts?

It's time for the cows.

- You can do the cows today. - Give me a break.

Well? Are you coming?

CHOCOLATE MILK 10 CENTS

- Do you have a size 41 for me? - No, not here. Sorry.

- Do you have a size 41 for me? - Sorry.

I didn't say that, let me be clear about that.

What I mean is that these statements do make things difficult for you.

- Yes, I can't help that. - Did you train for this?

- Is that Jeen van den Berg? - Sorry, is this a live broadcast?

No, this is not live.

- What I'd like to know... - Can you edit things?

- Did you train a lot? - No, not a lot.

- No? - No, not really. Oh well…

No one ever admits to training a lot.

So nobody trained. Neither did Jeen van den Berg.

Attention, participants.

We recommend that you put Vaseline on your face, available at the desk.

- Do you have any skates size 41 left? - No, not anymore.

How old are you?

- Seventeen. - Then you're out. You must be eighteen.

I'm not skating the tour. I'm only going to my uncle to tell him about it.

And grab the card of a dropout halfway in. That's not going to happen.

- Listen to me, I have 24 hours... - We don't have time for this, boy.

Sir, I only have 24 hours…

Will the competition skaters with numbers please get in position.

The competition will start in a few minutes.

- Have they left? The big boys? - Yes, just now.

Good.

I'm glad I can skate.

I was fired yesterday, my wife left me. Life is a party.

- And you? General give you a day off? - No.

- So? - I just left.

So the army has to do without you for a day.

Yes, the Russians can walk right in.

Will the tour skaters with numbers 1 through 1999

get in position for the start? Let me remind you:

You must run 800 meters to the track, which is clearly marked.

- What number are you? - Then proceed…

- 6807. - …In direction of Sneek.

- We are in the same group. - Be alert. The route…

- So? - We can skate together.

But I'm not waiting for you.

Will the tour skaters with numbers 4001 through 6999

get into position for the start?

Lots of luck. Give it your best and be back here before midnight.

- Does it hurt? - It's okay.

- There. Left, left. - Don't push me. I hate that.

Shoot that doctor.

Good heavens, what idiot approved this?

What time will the Queen be here?

It's over for you. You need stitches.

- But I want to continue. - No, lie down.

- You have to go to the hospital. - Can't you set it?

Yes, I can. But you'll feel this.

- Sir, what size do you have? - What?

You know, Dieuwke gets under my skin.

She wants a commitment, but it cramps my style.

She must have a TV. All her sisters have one, it's all they talk about.

They even copied Mies Bouwman's hairstyle.

- Take over. - Just you wait.

When I come home with the little cross, she can tell her sisters:

A TV is fine and dandy, but my Kees skated the Elfstedentocht.

Hey, are you deaf or something? I said: Take over.

Relax, buddy. We are not in the army now.

My dear boy, we have another two-hundred kilometers to go.

If we keep skating for the fun of it, we won't finish until tomorrow.

Say, Henk.

Do you have a lot of friends?

Hey, take it easy.

Hey, take it easy! Slow down!

- I can't hear you, Colonel. - Hey!

Pace yourself!

Are you deaf? Slow down!

Sorry, Henk, we're not skating for the fun of it.

More than 10,000 determined skating lovers are facing the bitter cold

and left early in the morning to skate to eleven Frisian towns

to collect the eleven coveted stamps.

They have until midnight to skate more than 200 kilometers.

The tour to end all tours has begun.

A competition skater.

And another one.

- We might even come in first. - Forget it.

They say the weather will get worse. Look at that.

We'll be on the tube, man. We'll be famous.

Dieuwke will be watching TV at her mother's.

Dieuw! Dieuwke!

It's me!

Dieuw!

Put these on. Your eyes could freeze.

I called Kees.

He's not home.

I don't know what to do, Mom.

I'm here having a baby and he does as he pleases.

- Calm down. - I can't calm down. The deadbeat.

I don't want to see him. I'll slap his unemployed kisser.

Go on home, Mom. I'll be here a while.

Yes, I think this is going to take some time.

Are you alright?

- Well done! - Keep it up!

You're almost there!

It's like we're flying, isn't it?

When I'm skating like this, I could cry.

Really cry. Happy tears, I mean.

It sounded nice, but I didn't understand a word of it.

- So where are you from? - Hey.

- Hey, what's wrong? - Where am I?

Near Sneek.

It's straight ahead. Are you coming?

- I can't see a thing. - Come, get up. Give me hand?

I really can't see a damned thing.

Let me have a look.

Your eyes are frozen. First Aid will have drops for it.

So I'm skating with a doctor. What's the doctor's name?

- Annemiek. - I'm Erik.

I'm studying Law in Groningen. Pleased to meet you.

I can't see very well, but what I can see of you is very pleasing.

Annemiek, listen to me.

We've only just met, but will you marry me?

Marry me and I'll warm you with my kisses if you freeze.

She doesn't want to. Can't you see?

- Who have we here? - Sjoerd.

And what does Tjeerd do for a living?

Wait a minute, I can smell it.

Hey Tjeerd, can I hang on to your cow's tail?

The organization reported that less than half of the starting participants

have reached Stavoren. Many who did have also given up…

There goes another one.

Man, stop your bellyaching. We voted on it, remember?

It's madness. When it gets dark, all hell will break loose.

- Blah blah blah. - You all don't seem to give a damn.

- Blah blah blah. - Gentlemen! Please.

Your attention please for an extra weather bulletin.

Later today, the NNE wind will increase to gale force

and temperatures in the north are expected

to drop to minus 19 degrees.

People at home, stay indoors. And if you must drive:

Heavy snowfall is expected throughout the night.

And severe weather warnings are in place after dark.

Now back to the studio in Bussum

for a live report from the 12th Elfstedentocht…

Call it off, damn it. Get the tour skaters off the ice, I mean it.

I agree with you. We must stop the Elfstedentocht.

Stopping it is out of the question.

Why? Because of the Commissioner of the Queen?

That is a low blow.

- Less people will fall in daylight. - But the wind will tire them out.

There are volunteers everywhere to get tired and wounded skaters off the ice.

How? People will have frozen toes. It's irresponsible.

- We may even have fatalities. - What is it you want?

To pull 10,000 people off the ice all at once?

CHECKPOINT CARD

Brenninkmeijer!

Did you think it was the Elfsteden monster?

No, much worse.

You'll finish it, right? Get that little cross.

A telephone. Just a moment, Henk.

Dieuwke must hear this. Proud as punch, man.

- We have to go. - One second.

- Kees! We have to stay on schedule. - Yes.

Alright, hurry!

- Bleeker here. - It's Kees. Is Dieuw there?

Did you see me? I was on TV.

Dieuwke is giving birth, Kees.

What? Already?

- I'll be right there. - You better not.

Why not?

Dieuwke's wishes.

She doesn't want to see you again.

Why not?

Goodbye, Kees.

What's the matter, man? We have to go, to IJlst.

I want to eat pea soup.

Damn it! Kees!

- Kees, are you alright? - No.

You go ahead.

Skate on. I quit.

- What do you mean, "I quit"? - Dieuwke's is giving birth.

She doesn't need you for that.

- Good thing too, it's over. - What do you mean, over?

She's not sure she wants to see me again.

So what will you do now?

Call her again? Ask her if she'll take you back?

You have something to prove. To yourself.

To her.

- Grow up, be a man. - Like you, I suppose.

I'd rather fall through the ice here.

Good luck then.

Here comes Jeen van den Berg. He's the first to get a stamp.

I also see Reinier Paping and Jan Uitham among the frontrunners.

They don't give themselves much time to eat.

Yes, Commissioner.

Commissioner.

The Queen is under way by helicopter.

But there is no place to land at the finish, Ritsma.

For that helicopter.

So…

what do we do?

Take that thing down. Go on, lower it.

Yes, nice.

Raise it. It's very windy, so hold it tight.

That's great. Now fasten it.

Tie it down. Nice.

Nice. They can skate under it here.

There's the First Aid station, they'll take care of you.

Shall we continue together? I'd like that.

No, thanks.

Just for today.

You better go now.

Where is your card?

- A friend has it. He'll be right here. - You should carry it with you.

Why don't you stamp my arm.

Well, alright.

- There. - Thank you.

Students have the gift of gab.

They make me feel stupid.

- What? - O, sorry.

Students have the gift of gab.

They make me feel stupid.

- So what do you do? - I'm a farmer. I milk thirty cows.

Do you have your own farm?

But how old are you?

Eighteen.

And you call yourself stupid?

What idiot moved the finish line?

I did. I told them to do it.

De Bonkevaart is too narrow. The Queen's helicopter can't land there.

You can be sure that a lot of people will show up, so just accept it.

- How's it going? - Fine.

You were right.

- About that guy. - What guy?

- The guy I'm not. - Oh, that guy.

I'm going to finish this.

For the little one.

- I'm looking for "De Spieker." - The first farm on the road.

I have something to take care of. I have to get off the ice.

That's too bad. I enjoyed your company.

Maybe I'll see you again.

Yes, maybe. Bye.

What are you at home?

In love maybe?

Or worse?

No. No, I am…

I am nothing at home.

Bye.

- Uncle Bauke? - Who are you?

Sjoerd, Ale's boy. Your nephew.

Come in.

Henk!

Henk, over here! Hey, over here!

I brought pea soup.

Look. Henk!

Henk, I have pea soup.

The situation in Friesland is such that skating alone is Reinier Paping

from Overijssel with a ten-minute lead, followed by Jeen van den Berg,

J. Uitham and Anton Verhoeven.

- What do you want? - Who is in the lead? Jeen?

Why are you here, boy?

I… I want to buy our farm.

It's for sale. Eisenga wants 60,000 guilders.

- Then you must go to the bank. - Yes.

They won't even look at me. I'm only seventeen.

Someone must guarantee the loan.

So you skated by during the Elfstedentocht and thought:

- Damn, my family lives here. - Yes, something like that.

But Father did not want me to come.

I can't help you, boy.

- Why not? - Because I have Piebe and Jelle.

- Get this boy some dry socks. - Okay, Dad.

Why didn't father and mother ever buy the farm?

- Or wouldn't you do it for mother? - Why don't you ask your father.

- Because he won't talk. - Then I won't either.

- Why will nobody tell me? - You don't need to know everything.

- Here. - Thank you, boy.

Maybe your uncle in Franeker can help.

It's quite a ways, so you'd better hurry. And remember, it's dangerous.

Go for it.

- Is it going well? - Yes.

- Keep it up. - Thanks.

People, it is a real battlefield here.

Skaters are falling all over the place. Hundreds of them…

- On your arm? - Yes.

I'm here in Stavoren and it's becoming a hell.

Quite a lot of skaters have given up…

Hi.

- Hey. - I'm back.

- That was a short family visit. - Yes.

Put it on my arm.

- Thank you. - What happened?

- It's nothing. - Let me see.

- Can you move your fingers? - Yes, it's alright.

Well, then you were lucky.

Come.

- Hey, Annemiek. - Hoi.

The family told me you were skating. I'm impressed.

Aafke, Sjoerd. Sjoerd, Aafke.

- My cousin. - Hi.

Is it tough? Aren't you freezing?

- Yes, we warm each other with kisses. - Oh, just like Melle.

Stupid of me. I shouldn't have said that.

I… I have to go on.

Bye.

Bye.

How do I get to Workum?

- Miss. Miss! - Yes?

Can the Dutch army be of service by giving you a ride across Lake IJssel?

Yes. Yes, please.

- Thanks. - Hop in.

- You can see the tour well like this. - Definitely.

- My fiancé is skating today. - Really.

Yes.

He is also in the military. He was on a bivouac in Havelte,

but his superior officer gave him the day off.

- That was nice of his superior officer. - Yes. Definitely.

- Do you think your fiancé will make it? - Oh, yes, definitely.

- Yes, Henk is tough, he never gives up. - Henk?

I might know him. What's his last name?

- Brenninkmeijer. - Brenninkmeijer?

- Yes. - Yes, that sounds familiar.

Brenninkmeijer.

LAKE IJSSEL

Get back in line.

Go on.

Who's… who is Melle?

Don't.

- What's wrong? - Don't touch me.

I want to be by myself, okay?

I thought you were nothing at home.

Sjoerd, I didn't ask you how you got a farm at eighteen.

Annemiek, get up.

Annemiek, get up. Now.

Come on now. We have to keep going, Annemiek.

You are going to freeze.

Annemiek, come on. We have to keep going, come on.

Come on!

Melle is dead.

I'm skating this for Melle.

He wanted an Elfsteden cross so bad.

I'll skate with you.

- Are you okay? - Food. I need to eat.

- Want a sip, guys? - Come on, soldier, you'll like it.

- Do you have any food? - No, man, we ate the sandwiches.

Bastard.

I need to eat.

Don't do that.

You've got hunger pangs. Hey!

Don't do that.

Don't eat snow.

Henk? Don't do that. You mustn't eat snow.

Come on.

Hey! You have to get up, Henk.

Don't lie down now. You're having hunger pangs. Open your eyes.

Come on. Come on. Look at me!

These are hunger pangs. Henk!

Hey, Henk!

Henk!

Henk, we have to get going.

WELCOME TO WORKUM

- Coffee, Sergeant major? - No, of course not.

Come on!

Henk!

- Hey, hello. - Food. I'm starving. Food.

- What's that? - Food.

- I brought pancakes. - Food.

Look at me. Listen to me. It's over there.

- Oh, darling. - I'm standing here. It's taking too long.

- Drop dead. - You are under arrest.

Hey Henk, you know the old saying, right?

"The early sergeant catches the deserter."

They may have pancakes in the cooler at Nieuwersluis.

Henk, duck!

- Hey! - Hey, skate!

Guys!

Henk, what's going on? You scared the hell out of me.

I'll explain it all later. See you in Hotel Het Anker.

- Will you do something for me? - Yes. What?

- Is that blood? - Yes, but don't worry, it'll be alright.

Look, for you.

"I am in Workum. Everything's fine. Love, Kees."

- Doctor, may I ask you something? - Yes, of course.

Do you have one?

Meaning?

Paping is in the lead, he is ten minutes ahead

of Jeen van den Berg and Jan Uitham.

Here is Paping. He passed Dokkum and is heading for Leeuwarden,

fighting strong, icy winds. Now back to Evert, our reporter along the route.

The volunteers here in Friesland have their hands full

with everything that is going. It is chaos.

People with frozen limbs are coming into First Aid stations,

hospitals are working overtime, they are barely coping.

And there are rumors that the tour to end all tours will be cancelled.

Back to the studio.

We're in over our heads.

- We need the army. - What do we need?

Yes. We need the army.

Shut the door, man.

That's all I know, I couldn't hear more than that.

The army? Why does Ritsma want the army?

I know. I think it's a coup. The Ice Republic.

Listen to this:

"On this day the struggle of Man against Nature

has reached a new high.

This Tour of Fools through the Frisian white hell.

The hell of '63."

- Nice. Well said. - I'm not through yet.

"Caught by a capricious northeastern wind

the tour skaters try to stay out Death's grip.

So far, because today Death is an ever-present, white frost monster,

a werewolf on the prowl for all who think they can defy him."

- See, Jack? That's what I call writing. - Yes, I thought it was quite moving.

But the question is: Why does Ritsma need the army?

Bolsward is giving the skaters a warm welcome.

Young man, how is it going? Is it heavy?

- Look, that's him. That's my Kees. - Really?

- We will carry on. - You heard it, it's a tour for die-hards.

Kees.

Now over to De Grote Wielen near Leeuwarden

where Her Majesty's helicopter will soon land.

This is not good.

- Did you feel that? - What?

The ice.

Commissioner. People must get off the ice. This is far too dangerous

How can you say that, Ritsma? Look around you. Isn't it wonderful?

Here, look at the cameras. Friesland is world news.

All of us, Ritsma, will be famous.

It is incredibly busy here at De Grote Wielen near Leeuwarden.

There was a last-minute move of the finish to this spot

because there is room for the thousands of fans

that want to witness it live, as it's called, dear viewers.

They want to see the last meters of Reinier Paping, who must be nearby.

A large crowd has gathered at the finish to catch a glimpse of Paping…

- The Queen. Come. - This must not happen. Commander!

Where is the commander?

Commander, stop them. The ice is not safe.

They could all fall through the ice. Stop, go back.

The ice is not reliable. Go back!

Go back! Everybody get off the ice! Get off the ice!

Go get the doctor.

They've come out of the helicopter and they will hurry to finish

to greet the winner. Our cameraman is doing a fantastic job in this cold.

It's going very well. Very well.

Her belly is very hard. She needs to go to obstetrics.

Get her ready.

The ice is being pushed to the limit.

Good, things are going fast now.

- Is her chart there? - Yes, doctor.

Yes, there he is: Reinier Paping, number 157, with his arms in the air

and surrounded by many enthusiastic spectators.

Paping completed the 200km tour in nearly eleven hours.

Reinier Paping. What a great athlete. The hero of 1963.

One, two… Hup.

Good day, I'm Dr. de Jong. Let me listen to the heart.

Chairman, I understand you wanted to put Friesland on the map.

Perhaps that's because of your close relationship with the Commissioner.

But this tour must be called off.

Ritsma, stop it.

It will be dark soon and all hell will break loose. We've been lucky.

But we mustn't push our luck.

All the tour skaters arriving in Franeker after five

will not reach the finish line before midnight. We'll get them off the ice.

All in favor, raise your hand.

Hey, whoa, whoa, stop!

Big problem. These people won't let themselves be take off the ice.

- They are heroes now. They'll be on TV. - Get out.

- Don't touch me, you're hurting me. - Just leave.

The motion to close all posts before Franeker at five is carried.

It means that Harlingen will close now. All in favor, raise their hand.

The motion is carried.

Harlingen will close now.

Sorry. Please excuse me.

Let me see.

- Let me see. - Where?

You're bleeding.

- Are you okay? - Yes, I'm alright.

Shall we continue together?

- Okay. - Let's go.

No more stamps.

Stop giving stamping. Orders of the board. No more stamps.

Still only four centimeters.

A caesarean can be dangerous. Shall we get you husband off the ice?

No, he needs to finish his tour.

Get up!

Put on your goggles. Your eyes might freeze.

Don't need them. I have small eyes.

You're not wearing any either.

- How are you doing, Sjoerd? - Yes, my skates are too big.

I borrowed them and now I have blisters.

- You have what? - He has blisters.

Yes, I understood that.

One, two, one, two, one, two.

GO SKATERS

CHECKPOINT

- Now we've got you. - What's this about?

- Let go of me. - Why are they doing this?

I want to go on, do you hear me?

- Let me go. - Annemiek, I'm going to my uncle.

- He lives in Franeker. - Yes.

- We want to continue. - I want to go on.

- You would screw another soldier? - Calm down, man. Easy.

Drop dead, man.

What's wrong with him?

His plumbing is frozen.

Uncle Albe?

Sjoerd, Ale's son.

Come in.

Put one these dry socks.

So you want to become a farmer. With your own farm.

Yes, I have the opportunity now.

Just like your father did back then. Only he bungled it.

And he had plenty of opportunities.

What happened there, uncle?

Your father was a big idiot.

He was better at dreaming than at milking cows.

I'm telling you the truth, boy.

The cows would be mooing and his head would be in the clouds.

They called him Ale Away, because he was always drifting off.

He would do strange things, like fighting with a bear at the carnival.

He claimed he could eat 30 hard-boiled eggs in one sitting.

And he actually did it too.

I warned your mother, my sister.

- Yes, but they loved each other. - My dear boy, it killed your mother.

What has your father achieved? Nothing, absolutely nothing.

What can he offer you? Nothing.

Yes, that's why I want to buy it. That's why I want to buy the farm.

If you could guarantee my loan, that would be fantastic.

And how do I know you didn't take after your father?

That you are a hard worker?

Well?

I am going to finish the tour, I'll finish the Elfstedentocht.

How will you do that? People have to get off the ice.

I got this far.

For death or glory, but I will finish it.

If you guarantee my loan, I will bring you my cross tomorrow.

The Elfsteden cross?

Unbelievable. We have to finish before midnight. We still had six hours.

Dieuwke will be having the baby now.

She'll be more exhausted than I am.

I've just thought of something. What if I make it to Leeuwarden?

- How? - What if Dieuwke is a little proud of me?

Then we'll emigrate to Canada.

Kees, you're in Franeker.

They'll never let us go.

You want to continue as well, right?

Any idea how?

Yes.

Pretend you're in great pain.

- Hand on your head. - What?

And you must limp, okay?

Not so loud, don't overdo it.

What going on? Where do you think you're going?

I am a doctor. This gentleman needs to go to the hospital now.

And this gentleman has a commotio cerebri.

- A what? - A concussion.

The ambulance is waiting, so…

Go ahead.

- Doctor. - Ritsma, it's a disaster.

Sixty heavy casualties, one man is blind in one eye and that's not the half of it.

Right. Thank you, doctor.

Any news?

Thirteen hundred skaters are in the hospital with frostbite.

Sixty are seriously injured, one man is blind in one eye.

I propose closing Dokkum as well. Any objections?

It's cruel for the people who got that far, don't you think?

They saved up all their energy for the last leg.

Mr. van Houten, I find your sensationalism exhausting.

- You want someone to die on the ice. - What are you talking about?

No, you don't get it. Those tour skaters out there are heroes.

In another…

Good evening.

…fifty years from now they will still be talking about them.

- He has a point, Ritsma. - No, we made a decision.

- What's that? - And we will carry out that decision.

We are closing Dokkum now.

Unbelievable. This is so… What?

You'll read about it. You will!

Well done!

You're almost there.

You are the last ones.

- Wait, there is one more. - Keep going!

You better hurry, Dokkum is closing.

Forget it. We'll never get through.

Damn. Isn't that Sjoerd?

- Hi. - Hi.

- How are things here? - Difficult.

They're pulling everyone off the ice. And with you?

I can get a loan for the farm if I can show him the cross.

You'll never get one if they keep pulling people off the ice.

But there is no one left.

There's another way.

Here.

No, Annemiek. You're doing this for Melle.

Melle is dead, Sjoerd.

Please take it.

I'm going to distract them.

Hey, guys!

- Catch me if you can. Come on! - Get her.

- Try and catch me. - She's pretty.

- Now. - No, wait.

- What's the matter? - I can't go on. My eyes.

- What about your eyes? - I can't see a thing. Nothing.

My eyes are frozen.

- Give me your card. - Here.

I'll sort it out.

Now.

Hey, you can't do that. Guys, come...

Hey you! Come back here.

Hey, who was that?

Ready? Take a deep breath.

Yes, very good. One more time. Yes.

Very good. Keep taking deep breaths.

She's asleep. You can start.

- Hey, Henk, stop! - What's the matter?

Kees, what's wrong?

Take them off.

Take them off. Take those damn things off.

Get up. Now.

It's fine. Forget it.

You guys go ahead. I'm comfortable here. It's fine. Everything's fine.

Get lost. Go start a war somewhere.

Never mind, it's okay. I'll take off my ska...

Hey, if you take them off, your feet will swell.

You'll never get them back on. You made a promise.

To the little one, remember?

Can you guys see ice?

- Henk, see anything? - This way, Kees.

One more hour and it's all over.

Gentlemen, let's call it quits.

What a day.

It was hell.

- How much time do we have? - Plenty.

We have to find reed. Where there is reed, there is ice.

Hey! What are you doing there?

- Where are we? - On top of my dung heap.

Dung heap? What does that mean?

A pile of shit.

Come to the house. It's nice and warm.

Do you have any food?

- Do you have eye drops? - Yes.

Do you also have a phone?

Yes, I'll wait.

Here. I have a few eye drops.

Henk, take off my skates.

Please, Henk. I'd like you to take off my skates.

No can do. Your feet will swell up.

- We're finishing the tour. - Your mother-in-law is on the phone.

Will you hurry, Kees?

- Kees? - Yes.

It's a perfect little boy.

And Dieuw?

She's sleeping. And you? Will you make it?

Yes. Easily.

- Did Dieuw say anything? - No, Kees.

When she wakes up, tell her that I want to change everything.

That I wouldn't want to be married to me either.

You should tell her, Kees. It's too complicated for me.

I will.

I have a son!

And I can see again!

- On to Leeuwarden. - Hey, here's the ice.

Ice, ice.

Look at those lights. Is that the finish?

- I bet it is. - We're going to make it.

- Oh no, oh no, it isn't. - Right, now what?

Let's ask inside.

We must get to Leeuwarden, to the finish.

Which way is it?

- Please, everybody there has left. - We still have 22 minutes.

- You'll never make it. - We will.

There are checkpoints everywhere. They'll pull you off the ice.

For the last few kilometers?

Hey, come with me.

You'll have to get past a few soldiers on the ice.

It's a secret post to get people off the ice. But I can help you.

It's up to you, I can run you past them.

- It's a few hundred meters. - Okay.

Whoa, buddy. It's against the rules.

Look who's talking. You deserted.

Look, otherwise we'll never get past that checkpoint.

On one condition:

Once past the finish, we make up those last few meters.

Henk, hurry up.

What's wrong?

- Not fit enough. - Bite the bullet. We have to go on.

I'll answer that.

Well, Mr. Telegraaf.

That's it. I hope you got your story.

Enough for a whole book. Today a legend was born.

That may be.

However, it was a very painful birth.

Exactly. That's how all legends are born.

Why must you always have the last word?

- Because I'm a journalist, darling. - You know what, "darling"?

I'll never work with you again.

- I'm not driving back with you. - I could care less.

- On your scooter. - Enemies for life.

There are three more on the way.

Go faster.

You won't believe this, but three more are coming.

- Three? - Yes.

Is there a soldier among them?

What time is it?

- We're going to make it. - Yes.

- You're awfully quiet, Henk. - I feel nauseous. I have to throw up.

- Well, this is going to be tight. - It's still early, isn't it?

Well done, guys.

Congratulations.

Yes, thanks.

There you are.

There you are.

- There you are. - Thank you.

Brennink.

This is something the entire army can be proud of.

Thank you, sir.

Report back in a few days.

Eh, mister? Mister. Jack van Houten, De Telegraaf.

Are you the last one to get a cross? How does that make you feel?

Sorry.

It's beautiful.

- So are you. - What?

- Where is the maternity ward? - Straight ahead.

Sweetie…

Dieuwke,

you did well, sweetie.

Will you give me another chance?

No.

Unless…

Reinier and I come home and there is a brand-new,

and I do mean a brand-new…

There will be one there, sweetheart. It will be there.

More than 10,000 skaters started the Elfstedentocht in 1963.

Only 69 received a silver Elfsteden cross.

Reinier Paping, winner of the Hell of '63,

was given two one-year memberships to the skating rink by the town of Deventer.

Overijssel Province gave him a silver cigarette case

and a hair dryer for his wife.

In his hometown Ommen a stranger handed him ten guilders.