Based on a true story, "The Dutch Watch" is a testament to the courage and resilience of the Dutch people during the Hunger Winter of World War II. With the help of the American, Canadian and English military, Holland was liberated from German occupation on 5th May 1945. As part of the Dutch Resistance a local policeman in South Holland collaborates with Allied forces to sabotage the German army during World War II. He risks his own life to protect members of his community against the Germans.

Piet Van Dam has been celebrated in The Netherlands as a local hero and after his death in 1977, he became "Hillegomer van de Eeuw" (Citizen of the Century) in 2010. In 2017 a street name in Hillegom was named after him. He received the "Verzets Herdenkings Kruis" (Resistance Memorial Cross) and commendations for bravery from US President Eisenhower, Prince Bernard of The Netherlands, and Air Chief Marshall Arther Tedder.