A court in Amsterdam has heard from lawyers for a convicted kidnapper, who wants to use the legal system to protect his reputation from a new film.

Willem Holleeder is hoping to prevent the release of The Heineken Kidnapping, a new thriller starring Blade Runner star Rutger Hauer.

The film portrays the 1983 kidnapping of brewing executive Freddy Heineken.

Holleeder was among those convicted of the crime, and is unhappy with the portrayal of his character in the film.

The film tells the story of the kidnapping of Mr Heineken, along with his chauffeur Ab Doderer.

The two men were abducted in 1983 in Amsterdam at gunpoint, and held hostage for three weeks. A reported ransom of 35m guilders (25m euros or £22m in today's terms) was eventually paid to secure their release.

The case became one of the most famous in Dutch crime history, partly because of the highly publicised police manhunt that followed.

Four men were eventually convicted of the crime, among them Holleeder, considered a "godfather" of Dutch crime.

Holleeder disagrees with the portrayal of his character in the new film and is attempting to bring an injunction to prevent its release.

He is currently serving a separate jail sentence for extortion.

The new film stars Rutger Hauer, the Dutch actor most famous for his role in the film Blade Runner. Hauer plays the kidnapping victim Freddy Heineken.

Bad for the kidnapper's rep, huh?

I remember in the nineties when "Summer of Sam" came out, which was about the infamous serial murderer David Berkowitz.  Berkowitz, who became a Born Again Christian evangelical after his conviction and incarceration, said the film was "bad for society."

Bad for society, David?

Well, it doesn't measure up to shooting kids to death while they're necking in cars!  Just my opinion there, Son of Sam!

::)

Bad for the kidnapper's rep, huh?



Yup, that's what he claimed. Even the judge could barely hold a straight face. :D ;D ;)

And that is why Holleeder lost his case.