The Dutch Republic of Seven United Provinces is politically divided between supporters of the Estates-General (federal parliament)'s new pensioner (de facto chief minister) Cornelis de Witt and supporters of the juvenile Prince Willem III of Orange , but must pull together to to the war with maritime rival England. When legendary Admiral Maarten Tromp (Rutger Hauer) is killed in action, his haughty son Cornelis expects to succeed, but de Witt insists on Michiel de Ruyter, a low-born but brilliant Captain from Zeeland. He modernizes the Dutch fleet, signal system and tactics and defeats English King Charles II Stuart's squadrons every time, despite sabotage from Tromp and fanatical Orange supporters, even pulls off a surprise attack up the Thames. The Dutch neglected their land army, naively believing Willem, installed as Stadholder, got a true peace and third party guarantors, but Charles conspires with the French to divide The Netherlands. The mob believes Orange's propaganda and turns on de Witt, even de Ruyter's family isn't safe as alleged "cahoots".—KGF Vissers