The Heineken Kidnapping

The Heineken Kidnapping (De Heineken Ontvoering) Country Netherlands Directed by Maarten Treurniet Release Date 2011 Main Cast Character Actor Alfred Heineken Rutger Hauer Rem Reinout Scholten van Aschat Cor Gijs Naber Jan Korneel Evers Frans Teun Kuilboer

The Heineken Kidnapping (original title: De Heineken Ontvoering) is a 2011 Dutch crime movie based on the 1983 kidnapping of the President of the Board of the Heineken beer brewing company Alfred Heineken (portrayed by Rutger Hauer). The kidnapping and subsequent chase of the kidnappers dominated Dutch national news for several months in 1983/1984.

Heineken and his driver are held for 3 weeks until a ransom is paid. The second part of the movie focuses on the cat-and-mouse game between Alfred Heineken and the kidnappers who are being chased by a vengeful Heineken. Some reviews referred to the second part of this movie as ‘Revenge Is Best Served Cold’, a parody of a well-known Heineken beer slogan.

The following weapons were used in the film The Heineken Kidnapping:

Browning Hi-Power

The Browning Hi-Power is the gun seen most often in use by the kidnappers. Two versions seem to be used; a ‘regular commercial’ model but also the ‘first version’ with tangent rear sights.

Classic Commercial Browning Hi-Power - 9x19mm

After having checked his Browning Hi-Power, Frans (Teun Kuilboer) gets out of his car in front of the Heineken office to apprehend Albert Heineken.

Frans firing off shots from his Browning Hi-Power at a taxi driver who witnessed the kidnapping and has followed the kidnappers through Amsterdam.

After his release, Heineken keeps having post-traumatic dreams of the kidnappers who shoot him at close range with the Browning Hi-Power.

In some scenes, the above model Browning Hi-Power switches to the original model with tangent rear sights of which the rear sight seems to be partially removed. It is not clear if this indicates that the kidnappers had 2 examples or that this is a continuity mistake.

The first version of the classic pistol, the FN P-35 - 9x19mm

Rem (Reinout Scholten van Aschat) putting a Browning Hi-Power to Heineken’s head while he’s penning down the kidnapper’s demands in a notebook.

Rem with the Browning Hi-Power in the kidnapper’s caravan outside the make-shift prison. Note the partially removed tangent sights.

In yet another of his nightmares, Heineken faces a kidnapper who again shoots him from close range with a Browning Hi-Power.

M1 Carbine

Members of the SWAT team who rescue Heineken and his driver from their make-shift prison in a remote construction shed are seen carrying one of two versions of the M1 Carbine. Even though Dutch SWAT teams did carry this carbine well into the 1970-s (…), by 1983 these would have been replaced by Heckler & Koch MP5’s.

Modern version of the M1 Carbine, with standard stock and ‘L’ peep sight, Auto-Ordnance - .30 Carbine

Not the most impressive sight for a high-profile rescue; Dutch SWAT team member (right) with WWII era M1 Carbine and tactical flashlight loosely in his hands shining upwards…

Dutch SWAT team members making their way into the prison where Heineken is held. Anybody ever having fired the M1 Carbine will recognize this ‘W’ shaped front sight.

Apart from the above ‘regular’ M1 Carbine, a second (and more exotic) version is used that has a paratrooper stock, pistol grip, vertical foregrip and 30-round magazine. Somewhat of an improvement over the regular model it seems.

M1 Carbine with pistol-grip, post-WWII paratrooper stock and vertical foregrip - .30 Carbine

On the right, a side-view of the rare M1 Carbine during the first seconds of the rescue operation as the construction shed is being stormed.

Good view of the special M1 Carbine as the SWAT team breaks the locks on Heineken’s prison. Note the typical 30-round magazine and the paratrooper stock.

A SWAT team member breaks into Heineken’s prison, note the foregrip and the fact that unlike other M1 Carbine used by the SWAT team, the flashlight seems to be fixed.

AKS-47

Another SWAT team member can be seen carrying an AKS-47 (!). An explanation for this totally incorrect choice of weapon might be that the armorer ran out of M1 Carbines with 30-round magazines and picked an AKS-47 instead assuming the general public would not notice.

Type III AKS-47 - 7.62x39mm

Heineken being escorted from his make-shift prison as an AKS-47 carrying SWAT team member member stands by.

Dutch police officers, the second one from the left carrying an AKS-47 welcoming Heineken with shaving gear and fresh clothes.

Heckler & Koch G3SG/1

A final member of the SWAT team carries a Heckler & Koch G3SG/1 sniper rifle. Even though it is partially seen in the dark, the distinguishable stock and front sight can be clearly seen.

Heckler & Koch G3SG/1 - 7.62x51mm NATO

As the team moves in to rescue Heineken, the typical Heckler & Koch G3SG/1 stock is clearly visible.

The silhouette of an Heckler & Koch G3SG/1 can be seen as the police forces search through the construction shed where Heineken has been kept.

Beretta 92FS

French CRS special forces that storm the hotel where two kidnappers have taken refuge are armed with what is most probably Beretta 92FS pistols, standing in for the French service pistol PAMAS G1.

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm

Uzi

Cor (Gijs Naber) is seen using an Uzi when he and partners kidnap Heineken and his driver on the doorstep of Heineken’s office. The gun is never seen later in the movie so they may have disposed of it at a later stage in the kidnapping.

IMI Uzi with buttstock collapsed - 9x19mm

Winchester Model 1300

In the finale of the movie, Heineken and his team locate the two remaining kidnappers on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. A member of a local militia that comes to their assistance in tracking down the kidnappers carries what appears to be a Winchester Model 1300 with extended tube.

Winchester Model 1300 with extended tube & rubber Butt pad - 12 Gauge