"Riphagen" is a Dutch-language historical drama directed by Pieter Kuijpers and produced by Pupkin Film. The series is based on the true story of Andries Riphagen, a notorious criminal who collaborated with the Nazi regime during World War II in the Netherlands, and profited from his involvement with the Gestapo.
The show is set in Amsterdam during the 1930s and 1940s, and follows the rise of Riphagen (played by Jeroen van Koningsbrugge) from small-time crook to one of the most powerful and feared men in Amsterdam's underworld. Riphagen is a cunning, charismatic figure, who uses his connections with both the criminal underworld and the police to his advantage. He quickly becomes involved with the Nazis, who are occupying the Netherlands at the time, and begins to use his position as an informant to betray and blackmail members of the Dutch resistance.
Throughout the series, we see the various ways in which Riphagen manipulates and exploits those around him, including his girlfriend Greetje (Lisa Zweerman), his former partner in crime Keesje (Michiel Romeyn), and a number of other members of the Amsterdam underworld. We also see Riphagen's interactions with some of the key figures of the Dutch resistance, such as Jan van Liempd (Kay Greidanus), as well as the Nazi officers who he works with.
As Riphagen's influence grows, he becomes increasingly ruthless and bold in his actions. He oversees the deportation of Jewish citizens to concentration camps, and even helps to steal and redistribute their possessions. He also becomes more brazen in his dealings with the resistance, using torture and murder to get what he wants.
Despite his growing power, however, Riphagen is not invincible. Over the course of the series, we see his relationships with those around him become more strained, his grip on power become more tenuous, and his past misdeeds come back to haunt him. Meanwhile, the war in Europe is coming to a close, and the Netherlands is preparing for liberation from Nazi occupation.
Overall, "Riphagen" is a compelling and well-crafted drama that explores one of the darker chapters in Dutch history. The show is anchored by a strong central performance from Jeroen van Koningsbrugge, who effectively captures the complex and often contradictory nature of Andries Riphagen. The series also benefits from strong writing, tight pacing, and an immersive sense of time and place that transports viewers back to the Amsterdam of the 1940s. Despite its heavy subject matter, "Riphagen" is a gripping and engaging watch that will appeal to fans of historical dramas and crime thrillers alike.
Riphagen is a series that ran for 1 seasons (2 episodes) between January 1, 1970 and on Janson Media