The Heineken Kidnapping (2011)

A bold, amateur kidnapping goes wildly awry in this fictionalized account of beer magnate Alfred Heineken's (Rutger Hauer's) 1983 abduction, which would go on to become one of The Netherlands' most infamous crimes.

Director:

Maarten Treurniet

Writers:

Kees van Beijnum (scenario), Maarten Treurniet (scenario)

Stars:

Rutger Hauer, Reinout Scholten van Aschat, Gijs Naber

5 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rutger Hauer	...	Alfred Heineken
Reinout Scholten van Aschat	...	Rem
Gijs Naber	...	Cor
Teun Kuilboer	...	Frans
Korneel Evers	...	Jan
Truus te Selle	...	Mrs. Heineken
Marjolein Keuning	...	Els
Sallie Harmsen	...	Lisa
Menno Van Beekum	...	Ab Doderer
Ton Kas	...	Meneer Humbrechts
Beppie Melissen	...	Mevrouw Humbrechts
Laurie Reijs	...	Sonja
Marcel Hensema	...	Kees Sietsma
Genio de Groot	...	Korthals Altes
Porgy Franssen	...	Max Moszkowicz

Storyline

Rem's Amsterdam family lives a nightmare since his father got an alcohol abuse problem related to working for multinational Heineken's brewery distribution and was fired before it became terminal. Rem (Reinout Scholten van Aschat) learns that his bully work colleague Cor (Gijs Naber) is planning to kidnap a businessman with two freak acolytes. Rem convinces them to let him in and aim higher, beer King Alfred Heineken (Rutger Hauer), after being nearly run over and left with a token banknote by his driver. They pretend having taken Heineken and his driver to Germany and cash a huge ransom. Heineken hires private detectives and pushes the Dutch and French police, who soon capture the gang. The faulty extradition treaty, up for revision but too late, prevents a Dutch trail for Rem and Cor, but the French authorities fly them to the French half of Antillian island St.Martin and Heineken's cash is spread liberally in a plot to drive the pair over the island border, on Dutch soil.

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Plot Keywords:

heineken beer | driver | abuse | ransom | businessman | 

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Taglines:

What they started, he will finish.

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Genres:

Crime | History | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The kidnapper named "Rem Hubrechts" was actually named Willem Holleeder. There actually was a fifth kidnapper, not shown in the movie, called Martin "Remmetje" Erkamps. They used his nickname and gave it to Hubrechts because they couldn't use the name Willem Holleeder because he is still around and threatened with a law suit if they used his name in the movie.

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Goofs

Before the kidnapping happens one of the gang members takes a seat on a black bench on a square. This black street furniture was introduced at least 20 years after the events take place.

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Connections

References De mannetjesmaker (1983)

User Reviews

Very strong acting and good action

Being someone from the Netherlands, I've seen probably a lot more Dutch movies than the average non-Dutch person. I also know that the average quality of these movies isn't very high (not to bash the efforts, but many Dutch films are quite flat). There are of course some exceptions, but altogether it results in being skeptic about every Dutch movie before I see it. However, this should not prevent me from actually seeing them without any biased feelings beforehand. I went to see this film yesterday night with a friend of mine. A movie that stars Rutger Hauer, whom I see as the best Dutch actor, is very interesting. Even more so when he has picked up the role of Freddy Heineken, one of the most iconic figures in the (Dutch) beer industry on the planet. The abduction of Freddy Heineken was in 1983, 10 years before I was born, so I must add that I really missed the cultural impact it made.

The review itself. This movie does not feature a fully nonfictional version of the story, nor does it claim to do so. It is clearly stated that the facts and additional dramatic elements are mixed together, which results in this film.

I must say, one of the greatest elements of the film is the variety of tension and ease. Scenes that feature the abduction crew tend to be very hasty and feature a lot of action, while the older Mr. Heineken provides the audience with a much more calm impression. This split of perspective is very important for the film, because it also tries to emphasize on the lives of the members of the abduction crew: They are all poor lads caught in the crisis of the 80's and they disrespect any kind of authority. The main character in this perspective is the young Rem Humbrechts, who has yet to prove himself in the world of crime. Only of his life do we really get to see a lot: his father is an alcoholic, claiming to be so because he used to work for Heineken, and that he had to drink a lot. Rem wants to help his father, one of the main reasons to abduct Heineken for a lot of money (35 million Gulders). Abductors are mainly villains in black clothing, completely anonymous. That is little different here, but we also get to see the poor, struggling side of Rem, and how he was actually born a very kind lad.

The acting is very, very good. Rutger Hauer shows his experience and acting abilities once more as a very convincing Freddy Heineken, seeking revenge, seeking his captors to be put behind bars. But also he shows weakness, fear, as we can see in the many nightmares about the guy in black, similarly clothed as his captors, as this is all he knows of them. We see an old man's struggle to regain his normal life, yet having the fear that someone, somewhere, might be waiting to get him. The less well known Reinout Scholten van Aschat, who took up the role of Rem Humbrechts, shows quality in that he manages to grow with his character: In the beginning, he is but a greenhorn, he means naught. This changes later in the movie, as he planned the whole abduction and he gets credit for his work. He becomes a lot more remorseless and bitter, though eventually getting caught. This contrasts the other captors, who remain quite consistent in character, throughout the movie. They have rather flat personalities. Little do we know, or get to know of them. We do not need to though, it's not a problem.

Another strong element is that the movie is far from over even after the police have found Heineken. The story continues, justice must be dealt to the captors. Which turns out to be quite the challenge.

In short, this movie is a great exception of Dutch cinema. I really enjoyed watching this movie, it features some very grim and exciting action and Rutger Hauer shines like a bright star in a clear night sky. I can recommend this movie to everyone looking for a good action/thriller.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Netherlands]

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch English French

Release Date:

27 October 2011 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

21 Days: The Heineken Kidnapping

Filming Locations:

Eikenplein 2, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Box Office

Budget:

EUR4,500,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,487,309

Company Credits

Production Co:

IDTV Film, Verenigde Arbeiders Radio Amateurs (VARA), Nederlands Fonds voor de Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1