A hard-boiled police detective sets out to capture a gruesome serial killer terrorizing the canals of Amsterdam.A hard-boiled police detective sets out to capture a gruesome serial killer terrorizing the canals of Amsterdam.A hard-boiled police detective sets out to capture a gruesome serial killer terrorizing the canals of Amsterdam.
- Awards
- 1 nomination total
Lou Landré
- Chef
- (as Lou Landre)
Door van Boeckel
- Maniac
- (as Door van Boekel)
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- Writer
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Featured reviews
"Amsterdamned" is probably the only real Dutch action movie ever made. As such, it's also the best Dutch action movie ever made. When compared to standard Hollywood action movies, Amsterdamned falls somewhere in the middle: it's not a masterpiece, but it's not terrible either.
The acting is usually terrible in Dutch movies, and this movie is no different. Monique v.d. Ven and Huub Stapel are fine, but the supporting cast is filled with a bunch of over-acting amateurs. Sound quality is poor too: I am from Holland and I often have trouble understanding what the people are saying. But the action sequences (and there are a lot of those) are surprisingly well done for Dutch standards. And fortunately, the movie doesn't take itself too seriously.
All in all the action and humour make up for the occasionally terrible acting and somewhat flawed plot.
**/2 out of **** stars
The acting is usually terrible in Dutch movies, and this movie is no different. Monique v.d. Ven and Huub Stapel are fine, but the supporting cast is filled with a bunch of over-acting amateurs. Sound quality is poor too: I am from Holland and I often have trouble understanding what the people are saying. But the action sequences (and there are a lot of those) are surprisingly well done for Dutch standards. And fortunately, the movie doesn't take itself too seriously.
All in all the action and humour make up for the occasionally terrible acting and somewhat flawed plot.
**/2 out of **** stars
This movie is often discarded as a wannabe action/suspense movie and even though I'm not a big fan of Dutch cinema I have to give it credit for the daring stunts and the way they make fun of our capital city. There's nothing in the world like Dutch humour.I was afraid to walk next to the canals when I saw this movie (note I was 9 at the time)
Now I can't believe that this little gem has passed me by for so long, especially being a big fan of slashers and giallo movies, well this was a nice treat and it's appealing enough and just when you thought you've seen everything that this genre has to offer, "Amsterdamned" puts a unique spin on things by featuring a killer dressed in scuba diving gear swimming around the canals of Amsterdam looking for his next victim.
It's all well paced, being mainstream enough for thriller fans and yet gruesome e and sleazy enough for horror fans. That is also dozens of red herrings that keeps the viewer interested enough to keep watching up until the final reveal which okay can be a bit of a cop out, but the dozens of stunts that were handled very well, and when the killer pops out of the water to claim its next victim, it is genially scary and given the fact that he can do this and escape easily into the canals does add a sense of danger to the proceedings and makes everything a lot more tense and frightening.
The main central character Vissor played brilliantly by Huub Stabel who's trying to solve this case before the killer strikes again and also has the best scene in the movie with the speed boat chase, which was exciting and thrilling at the same time, and will always be an iconic memorable scene. This movie also uses the beautiful city of Amsterdam to its full effect showing all the beautiful sights and scenery. Another standout performance was Serge-Henri Valcke who clearly steals the show with his funny comedic elements, which adds a touch of greatness to this movie.
All in all "Amsterdamned" is a great watch and is a definite highlight in the giallo genre and has a great mix of everything and plus a really cool killer.
It's all well paced, being mainstream enough for thriller fans and yet gruesome e and sleazy enough for horror fans. That is also dozens of red herrings that keeps the viewer interested enough to keep watching up until the final reveal which okay can be a bit of a cop out, but the dozens of stunts that were handled very well, and when the killer pops out of the water to claim its next victim, it is genially scary and given the fact that he can do this and escape easily into the canals does add a sense of danger to the proceedings and makes everything a lot more tense and frightening.
The main central character Vissor played brilliantly by Huub Stabel who's trying to solve this case before the killer strikes again and also has the best scene in the movie with the speed boat chase, which was exciting and thrilling at the same time, and will always be an iconic memorable scene. This movie also uses the beautiful city of Amsterdam to its full effect showing all the beautiful sights and scenery. Another standout performance was Serge-Henri Valcke who clearly steals the show with his funny comedic elements, which adds a touch of greatness to this movie.
All in all "Amsterdamned" is a great watch and is a definite highlight in the giallo genre and has a great mix of everything and plus a really cool killer.
I saw this for the first time recently due to the director (I have enjoyed Dick Maas' The Lift and Prooi) and also got enticed into checking this movie due to some good reviews.
It is indeed a solid action thriller but the ending is kinda rushed n there is no mystery/suspense element to it.
It has a good car sequence doing a full 180, an amazing boat chase sequence reminding us of Bond's Live and Let Die.
While viewing this, Shape of Water came to my mind, especially during the tunnel scenes.
Veerman and Eric rush to Dr Martin's house when the nurse informs Eric about Laura's missed call. How they deduced that Laura will be at Martin's house is beyond me.
Martin's doors were all open. Now who keeps their doors open man. At least not here in my beloved country India.
Our lead guy (Eric) gets his face spit upon by a suspect and without washing his face he consumes coffee n then later has sex with Laura (a lousy one though). Hope he washed his face before kissing her.
It is indeed a solid action thriller but the ending is kinda rushed n there is no mystery/suspense element to it.
It has a good car sequence doing a full 180, an amazing boat chase sequence reminding us of Bond's Live and Let Die.
While viewing this, Shape of Water came to my mind, especially during the tunnel scenes.
Veerman and Eric rush to Dr Martin's house when the nurse informs Eric about Laura's missed call. How they deduced that Laura will be at Martin's house is beyond me.
Martin's doors were all open. Now who keeps their doors open man. At least not here in my beloved country India.
Our lead guy (Eric) gets his face spit upon by a suspect and without washing his face he consumes coffee n then later has sex with Laura (a lousy one though). Hope he washed his face before kissing her.
The first time I saw this film was when I was 16, when they released the film in the U.S. At the time, I was a more or less a huge horror fan, so I decided to check it out. This film was awesome in terms of stunts and camerawork. The plot is somewhat typical of a serial killer/slasher film, but give Dick Maas credit. He did a splendid job with this film. I caught the film on TV last year and taped it. Every chance I get, I'll pop in it and watch the film. Kudos to Dick Maas and his team.
Did you know
- TriviaDick Maas passed on the opportunity to direct a sequel to A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) in order to do this film. He later stated that he should have postponed Amsterdamned, as the Elm Street sequel could have been his international breakthrough.
- GoofsWhen the old man that lives on the barge loads the shotgun, you can see that the primers on the shells have indentation marks in their centers, signifying they have already been fired.
- Quotes
Vermeer: What do you think she meant when she said a huge black monster with giant claws?
Eric Visser: I don't know, but I hope your mother-in-law has an alibi.
Vermeer: UGH!
- Alternate versionsFor the West German theatrical version as well as all subsequent VHS and DVD releases the demise of the killer was cut. Only in 2007 the uncut version was released by EuroVideo.
- ConnectionsEdited into Kameleon als schokkend doelwit (2007)
- SoundtracksAmsterdamned
Music by C.L. Touber (uncredited)
Lyrics by C.L. Touber (uncredited)
Performed by Monique Klemann and Suzanne Klemann (as Loïs Lane)
Released by WEA Records No. 248.061.7
(C) 1988 WEA Records, Loïs Lane Music (A Division of EMI Music Publ.)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Verfluchtes Amsterdam
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $98,003
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $14,819
- Nov 27, 1988
- Gross worldwide
- $98,003
- Runtime
- 1h 54m(114 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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