Amsterdamned (1988)

A hard-boiled police detective sets out to capture a gruesome serial killer terrorizing the canals of Amsterdam.

Director:

Dick Maas

Writer:

Dick Maas (script)

Stars:

Huub Stapel, Monique van de Ven, Serge-Henri Valcke

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Huub Stapel	...	Eric Visser
Monique van de Ven	...	Laura
Serge-Henri Valcke	...	Vermeer
Hidde Maas	...	Martin Ruysdael
Wim Zomer	...	John van Meegeren
Tanneke Hartzuiker	...	Potter
Lou Landré	...	Chef
Tatum Dagelet	...	Anneke Visser
Edwin Bakker	...	Willy
Pieter Lutz	...	Skipper
Barbara Martijn	...	Prostitute
Door van Boeckel	...	Maniac (as Door van Boekel)
Simone Ettekoven	...	Salvation Army Soldier
Koos van der Knaap	...	Environmentalist #1
Pieter Loef	...	Environmentalist #2

Storyline

A mysterious diver hiding in Amsterdam's canal system embarks on a rampage of gruesome murders, terrifying city officials and leaving few clues for the city's best detective, who doesn't suspect that both his new girlfriend and twelve-year-old daughter may be closer than he is to finding the killer.

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Plot Keywords:

detective | murder | canal | diver | serial murder | 

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Taglines:

Be glad you're afraid. It means you're still alive.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

DaaVeeDee - UK Distributor

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch Spanish Mandarin English

Release Date:

25 November 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amsterdamned

Filming Locations:

Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Floor Features

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dick Maas passed on the opportunity to direct a sequel to A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) in order to do this film. He later stated that he should have postponed Amsterdamned, as the Elm Street sequel could have been his international breakthrough.

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Goofs

When the old man that lives on the barge loads the shotgun, you can see that the primers on the shells have indentation marks in their centers, signifying they have already been fired.

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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!

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Alternate Versions

In the television version of the film, scenes delted include:

• All scenes involving Willy and Anneke looking for the killer.
• John and Eric in a deeper conversation about Eric's ex-girlfriend, who was also John's ex-girlfriend, and is Anneke's mother.
• Laura in therapy with Ruysdael, discussing Eric.
• Eric using 2 different flags (1 for the where the killer struck, and 1 for where the victim is found).
• Two night watchmen on the canal trying to search for the killer.
• Eric and Vermeer thinking they caught the killer but only finding the oxygen tank.

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Connections

Referenced in De slimste mens ter wereld: Episode #7.30 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Fanfare in Es
(march)
Music by Jan H Mul as J.H. Mul
Arranged by Piet van Mever (uncredited)

User Reviews

Excellent Dutch thriller

The first time I saw this film was when I was 16, when they released the film in the U.S. At the time, I was a more or less a huge horror fan, so I decided to check it out. This film was awesome in terms of stunts and camerawork. The plot is somewhat typical of a serial killer/slasher film, but give Dick Maas credit. He did a splendid job with this film. I caught the film on TV last year and taped it. Every chance I get, I'll pop in it and watch the film. Kudos to Dick Maas and his team.