Award-winning British actor Anthony Hopkins is to play beer magnate Freddy Heineken in a new film about his kidnapping in 1983.

The film, entitled ‘The Kidnapping of Freddy Heineken’, is based on the book by Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries.

Heineken and his chauffeur were kidnapped after leaving work and held for three weeks in a warehouse. They were rescued following a tip-off after the kidnappers were given a ransom of 35 million guilders.

Money

The gang was eventually rounded up and jailed although around 20% of the money has never been recovered.

The online synopsis of the film states ‘love and friendships are tested to the limit in a fast-paced edge of your seat thriller… a true story and Ultimate Heist Movie.’

A Dutch film version of the book, starring Rutger Hauer as Heineken, was released in 2011. That film hit the headlines when one of the kidnappers, Willem Holleeder, tried to have it banned, saying the film made him out to be more violent than he was.

The British film is expected to reach cinema screens next summer.

Earlier stories
Gangster loses attempt to have kidnapping film banned
Heineken kidnappers benefit from book