With 2,433,000 viewers it was the most popular Dutch film of all-time until surpassed a few years later by Fanfare.

It has also received an honorable mention from the Office Catholique Internationale du Cinéma.

The narrative is centered around Cis Vrijmoeth, an oaf who never sees his father, because he is a sailor, and who is neglected by his mother.

In an fit of rage and fear, Ciske kills his mother with a knife and is sent to a youth detention center.

In the end, his father returns from the sea and decides to take care of him, together with his wife Aunt Jans.