Kidnapping Mr. Heineken

I gave up on this movie about 10 minutes in, solely because of the frenetic cuts (eg 1 second of footage between cuts) added to extremely shaky hand-held camera and "everyone talking / yelling at once" action... I am willing to accept that this is an "artistic" choice by the director/editor..... but it drove me to screaming "HOLD THE F#$%^ CAMERA STILL" at the screen after 10 minutes.. if this technique doesn't bug you, you may well enjoy the movie.. I'll never know ... :^) I didn't get to see sir anthony at all ..

Based on a true story the film had the ingredients to be a brilliant film with big success, just look at the line up of cast in this film!! You would not of needed anthony hopkins if it was done right but there is that word "if" the screenplay and the script is very disappointing the film is good (well passable) but its just that it could and should of been done better the camera shots are like they were done by a toddler and when your looking forward to seeing this film your actually glad its only on for 92 minutes. I am being kind by giving the film a 5/10 but overall its a disappointment save your money and buy a case of Heineken and watch something else

source: Kidnapping Mr. Heineken

The events of 30 November 1983 when Freddy Heineken was kidnapped in Amsterdam are well-documented. It resulted in the highest paid ransom up to that point in history. The movie is a bit disconcerting because it features an all-star cast of British actors, and a former Brit as Mr Heineken, but overall did not detract too much from the story when you finally realize they are all Dutch. The group of five men are depicted as needing money, they have what seems like a legitimate business but need a bank loan. Unable to secure that they resort to crime. The plan is to kidnap Freddy Heineken, hold him for ransom, and expel all their financial woes. Anthony Hopkins, former Brit and now American citizen, is very effective as Freddy Heineken. As history witnesses the men were able to get the money, split it up, and get away. But only for a short time. Even though two of them managed to get to France, and one to Paraguay, they all ended serving prison terms. Not all of the money was recovered. There is nothing very special about this movie, mainly interesting because of its historical account. The crooks are depicted as mostly bumbling, they had no real strategy for the aftermath of the kidnapping and ransom delivery.