Kidnapping Mr. Heineken

In 1983, a close-knit group of five Dutch friends—Willem, Cor, Jan, Martin, and Frans—establishes a construction business in Amsterdam. Initially, they thrive in their endeavors, celebrating their early success and the camaraderie that comes with it.

As the economy begins to falter, the friends find themselves in dire straits. Their lavish spending habits lead to financial ruin, and their office building is occupied by squatters, causing the bank to deny their requests for credit.

Desperate for cash, the group devises an audacious plan to kidnap the prominent businessman Freddy Heineken. This decision is spurred on by Cor's father-in-law, who idolizes Heineken, reinforcing the gang's misguided aspirations.

To finance their kidnapping operation, the gang resorts to robbing a bank's armored vehicle. This crime signifies their deepening descent into the criminal world, showing how far they are willing to go for a quick financial gain.

The gang successfully executes the kidnapping, capturing Heineken and his driver Ab Doderer. They take him to a soundproof room where they plan to hold him for ransom, ensuring constant surveillance over their captive.

During the production of the ransom note, one member of the gang accidentally leaves behind the original copy. This blunder inadvertently leaves fingerprints at the scene, which could link them to the crime, raising alarms about their incompetence.

Days turn into weeks with no communication from the police, and tensions begin to escalate within the group. After three weeks pass, Heineken feigns cooperation by assisting them in crafting a personal note to the police.

The gang devises a detailed plan for the police to deliver the ransom without revealing their identities. However, their plan is complicated when they realize that they are being tracked by law enforcement, leading them to retrieve half of the ransom.

In a dramatic turn of events, Jan is caught by police while attempting to release Heineken. His actions inadvertently guide law enforcement directly to the tycoon, jeopardizing the group's entire operation.

Willem and Cor flee to Paris to evade authorities, but Cor's emotional attachment leads him to contact his pregnant wife Sonja. This decision ultimately exposes them, leading to their arrest by French police.

Following their capture, Jan receives a 12-year prison sentence while Martin is given 8 years. Cor and Willem are sentenced to 11 years each for their roles in the crime, marking the end of their freedom.

Despite their time in prison, upon their release, Cor and Willem return to a life of crime. They ascend to become known as the notorious 'Godfathers of Amsterdam', continuing to tread a perilous path.

The story takes a tragic turn when Cor is assassinated in 2003, closing a dark chapter in their lives. A significant portion of their illicit gains remains unrecovered, highlighting the futility of their ambitions.