Although director Verhoeven, as well as Hauer and cinematographer Jan De Bont eventually became involved in mainstream American movies, Katie Tippel is very much of the European school of film-making, episodic and harsh in its depiction of everyday poverty. The dead puppy at the beginning definitely marks it as contrary to Hollywood's near-zero canine mortality rate. The sexual scenes are graphic to the point of gratuitousness but always grimly non-titillating. Budgetary limits cramp some of the mass street scenes, but generally the film is beautifully shot and ageless in feel. A far cry, certainly from Showgirls, for which Verhoeven was later responsible. --David Stubbs

And what's up with the ending? Did they run out of $$? I don't know if reading these reviews actually raised my hopes up too high, or maybe it's the fact that I'd just finished watching "Turkish Delight", also with Rutger and Monique, and absolutely loved it. Bottom line: mediocre film, better just to rent it. I certainly won't be watching this again for at least another year or two.


KATIE THE STREETWALKER.....   June 18, 2003
Mark Norvell (HOUSTON)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Based on the true story of a woman named Neel Doff, this film is somewhat of a departure from Verhoeven's other films in that it's a period piece but his style and master's touch remain. Monique Van Der Ven plays Katie, an impoverished waif whose indominatable will to survive is this film's backbone. Van Der Ven is remarkable. All wide eyed innocence yet streetwise when necessary. The poverty of 1800's Amsterdam is vividly captured as Katie's knockabout family struggle with hunger---prompting Mama to prostitute first one daughter (who goes from pig to alcoholic pig) then Katie. Katie learns fast what money can do and she leaves her foul family to be the mistress of a social climbing user (Rutger Hauer). But her fate changes again...and again. This is tamer than some of Verhoeven's work. There is a rough but quick rape scene that's handled well and not exploitive and some frank nudity but all in all Verhoeven concentrates on telling Katie's story rather than sex. The ending is rather ambiguous but leaves you satisfied that Katie has indeed finally overcome her overwhelming obstacles. Rich in detail and period flavor, this film is sumptuous to look at and the acting is sublime---esp. Van Der Ven as Katie. Some strong scenes may make some viewers squirm but, as with pre-Hollywood Verhoeven, he's honest as a filmmaker. The DVD from good old Anchor Bay is glorious.


I usually do not like foreign films...............   August 11, 2002
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

their just too ,well ahh foreign, but this is really a great film. The copy I bought was dubbed, and it was done quite well. Judging from the credits I can imagine that the subtitled copy must be hard to read. If you have any fantasies about the nobility of being poor do not watch this film. Though the movie is successful on many levels, the one thing you will remember most is that "poverty sucks" no matter where or when you were born.