Riphagen: The Untouchable (2016)

Riphagen is a Dutch historical drama (based on a true story) which premiered in 2016.

 

The topic is the Netherlands during World War two with special focus on a traitor (Dries Riphagen) who collaborated with and assisted the German occupation forces in many different ways.

 

Here is some basic information about this drama:

 

** English title: Riphagen – The Untouchable

** Director: Pieter Kuijpers

** Writers: Thomas van der Ree and Paul Jan Nelissen

** Based on the book Riphagen, Al Capone by Bart Middelburg and René ter Steege (2010)

** Languages spoken: Dutch and German

** Run time: 131 minutes

 

The cast includes the following:

 

** Jeroen van Koningsbrugge as Dries Riphagen (1909-1973)

** Mark Rietman as Louis Einthoven (1896-1979)

** Anna Raadsveld as Betje Wery (1920-2006)

** Michael Sluysmans as Wim Sanders (1908-1995)

** Richard Gonlag as Willy Lages (1901-1971)

** Kay Greidanus as Jan van Liempd

** Guido Pollemans as Harry Rond

** Peter Blok as Gert van der Veen

** Sieger Sloot as Frits Kerkhoven

** Sigrid ten Napel as Lena

** Lisa Zweerman as Greetje

** Antoinette Jelgersma as Esther Schaap

 

Since this drama is based on a true story, the basic facts are part of the public record. They are not a secret. Therefore I could mention many of them here. But I am not going to do that. I do not wish to spoil the viewing for anyone.

 

While this drama is based on a true story, it is not a documentary film. It is a dramatized version of events. Most characters are real historical persons, but some characters are fictional (for instance Jan van Liempd). Not everything happened exactly as shown here. But the main story is true.

 

There are many movies about World War two. What is so special about this movie? Here is the answer: this movie shows us that the history of the Netherlands during World War Two cannot be told in black and white; it is not only about the good guys and the bad guys.

 

Between the good guys and the bad guys there are many shades of grey. The German forces are the bad guys and the Dutch resistance are the good guys. We know that. We also know the collaborators are bad guys. But this is not the whole story.

 

What about a member of the resistance who secretly helps the Germans? What about a collaborator who secretly helps the resistance?

 

In this drama we see many different characters, but it is not always easy to know where they actually stand in the conflict; it is not always easy to know which role they are really playing in the conflict.

 

Just when you think you know who is good and who is bad, something happens, and you realize you were wrong; you were deceived; you were misled.

 

Riphagen was a criminal before the war. In 1940, when the German occupation begins, he realizes that the new situation offers new and excellent opportunities for him. During the German occupation, he is the ultimate traitor. 

Why? What does he do? 

Here is a partial answer. He:

 

** betrays members of the resistance to the Germans

** promises Dutch Jews who are hiding that he is going to help them

** promises Dutch Jews who are hiding that he will keep their valuables safe during the war and that he will return the valuables to them after the war

** keeps the valuables for himself

** tells the Germans where they can find Dutch Jews who are hiding from the Germans

** is paid by the Germans for his services

 

Riphagen works for the German occupation forces in many different ways. This is true. But most of all - and more than anything else - he works himself.

 

Riphagen is the ultimate survivor. Time and again he is in big trouble; he is in hot water. But each time he manages to talk himself out of it. He manages to get away scot-free. He is involved in numerous extremely dangerous affairs, but he always survives. 

How does he do it?

 

It is said that he has a silver tongue. When he talks, he is very convincing. He will make up stories and details in order to show that he is completely innocent and not guilty of any crime at all.

 

For a moment, it works: people believe him, and this is all he needs. When people realize that it was merely a trick, he is already gone. It is too late to catch him!

 

This is what we see in this movie. This is what makes the movie special. This is why it stands out among the numerous movies about World War two.

 

What do reviewers say about it? Here are the results of two review aggregators:

 

71 per cent = IMDb

81 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the general audience)

 

As you can see, the ratings are good, but not great. If you ask me, both rating are too low. Why? 

I will offer three reasons:

 

# 1. The script is well-written and the actors play their roles well.

 # 2. The story is captivating, dramatic, and often highly emotional.

 # 3. The drama is based on a true story.

 

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars (100 per cent).

 

PS. The following review is available online: 

Erik Lundegaard (blog):

Movie Review: Riphagen (2016) 

10 March 2018.

 

*****

Dries Riphagen (1909-1973)

*****