Amsterdamned (1988)

Director:

Dick Maas

Writer:

Dick Maas (writer)

Release Date:

25 November 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

The city is murder

Plot:

A mysterious diver hiding in Amsterdam's canal system embarks on a rampage of gruesome murders, terrifying...

Plot Keywords:

Canal | Murder | Diver | Underwater | Barrel Organ

Cast

Huub Stapel	...	Eric Visser
Monique van de Ven	...	Laura
Serge-Henri Valcke	...	Vermeer
Tanneke Hartzuiker	...	Potter
Wim Zomer	...	John
Hidde Maas	...	Ruysdael
Lou Landré	...	Chef
Tatum Dagelet	...	Anneke
Edwin Bakker	...	Willy
Door van Boeckel	...	Maniac (as Door van Boekel)
Barbara Martijn	...	Prostitute
Pieter Lutz	...	Skipper
Simone Ettekoven	...	Salvationist
Koos van der Knaap	...	First Environmentalist
Pieter Loef	...	Second Environmentalist

Also Known As:

Amsterdamned (USA)

Runtime:

105 min | Australia:114 min | USA:114 min | Argentina:114 min

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch | Spanish | Mandarin | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:18 (cut) | Netherlands:16 (re-rating) | UK:15 (re-rating) (2009) (uncut) | UK:15 (re-rating, uncut) | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Argentina:16 | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

Amstel River, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

First Floor Features

Trivia:

During the boat chase they pass a ship with a brass band. The conductor of this band is played by Bert Haanstra, the award winning director of several films. One of his most famous is Fanfare, in which boats with bands play an important role.

Quotes:

Vermeer: What do you think she meant when she said a huge black monster with giant claws?
Eric Visser: I don't know, but I hope your mother-in-law has an alibi.
Vermeer: UGH!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "De wereld draait door: (#4.108)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Amsterdamned

Aquatic serial killer in one of Europe's finest cities!

Dutch director Dick Maas clearly has a flair for entertainment. This serial killer film is lifted above the norm by a series of fantastic sequences; from creepy murder scenes to a hilariously over the top speed boat chase through the canals of Amsterdam, Amsterdamned is a delight to watch from start to finish. It goes without saying that this film takes place in Amsterdam, and it would appear that the film is something of a love letter to the great Dutch city. Amsterdam's streets make for an excellent horror location, while the canal shots are what really give the film its originality. Maas also gives us sequences in which the reputation of the city is discussed. Personally, I love the location shots of this film; having visited Amsterdam a couple of times myself, it's nice to recognise where the film is taking place. The plot is basically your run of the mill serial killer yarn, but it's lifted above the norm because of the fact that the murderer himself is water-based. Amsterdam's canals make for his home, as the murderous diver drags anyone who comes too close to the river to their doom. We follow the trail of murders and the police investigation into the crimes.

The film runs at around 105 minutes; a running time that would usually lead to me saying is too long for this sort of film. However, despite the fact that the film plays from what is a very basic plot, it never becomes boring. Dick Maas bombards the audience with stunning location shots, deliriously entertaining sequences and some very sinister moments of horror to ensure that Amsterdamned never becomes trite or dull - and besides, every time there's a danger of the film going downhill, our competent director is on hand with another grisly murder sequence! For a film that runs so freely, it's surprising that it's actually not all that messy. Maas blends several different styles together, but the plot always stays on course. The atmosphere is always foreboding as it is made clear that the murderer could strike at any time. I've got to say that I was a little disappointed by the end, however. After a brilliant 100 minutes, Maas sees fit to tack on an ending that feels very trite and overly used. However, the build up to this let down is fantastic and by the time it comes to the ending, it doesn't really matter how it ends because you've just witnessed what is one of the finest films ever to come out of the Netherlands. Personally, I loved every minute of this great film and really can't recommend it highly enough!