Riphagen

I had never heard of Dries Riphagen beforehand, and we came across this film accidentally on Netflix. It turned out to be a fantastic watch and one that gives a good lowdown on a wartime conman. The acting is very good indeed and the film settings are authentic.

A true story that is well paced with brilliant acting. Definitely worth watching.

Fantasticly shot and directed. I couldn't fault it. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Is this person good or bad? Full of suspense throughout. Well acted by each and every actor. I wish there were more movies like this. Even with only English subtitles. Bravo ladies and gentlemen, you should be proud.

Another well done movie on Netflix about the the Nazi occupation in the Netherlands at the end of the Second World War. The story is based on true events and for this reason worth seeing. It was never boring and I saw again outstanding performances from all the actors. Especially Jeroen van Koningsbrugge in Riphagens role impressed me a lot and makes me hungry watching him in other films. If you like drama war genre check out the other dutch top production Bankier van het Verzet. 7/10.

Another film about Holland, the Nazis, and the Resistance in World War II is this one from 2016, Riphagen. A true story, and the title character is one of the most reprehensible human beings known to man.

Dries Riphagen (excellently portrayed by Jeroen van Koningsbrugge) is a Dutch traitor who seeks out Jews who are in hiding and offers to keep their jewelry and homes safe for them until they get back. As if any of them are coming back. The slimeball puts everything in a safety deposit box, but it's all for him, not the poor people he robbed.

One interesting thing - I had just seen The Resistance Banker, about a Dutch hero in World War II, before I saw this film. In reviews of both, it was mentioned that the reviewer became confused either by the story or had trouble telling the good guys from the bad guys. I did not have this problem, and I wondered if it was because I was from another generation. I can remember watching The Constant Gardener with someone and having to explain it line by line. Is it that audiences today are used to shorter scenes, need more action, have less of an attention span, or are too easily distracted?

At any rate, this is a film rich in '40s atmosphere, wonderfully acted, and suspenseful. It is definitely worth seeing, although I don't think many people need to be reminded of how cruel and depraved human beings can be. We have enough of them around as it is.