Dries Riphagen was one of the most notorious collaborators in the German-occupied Netherlands, a criminal whose activities during the Second World War left a lasting stain on Dutch history. Nicknamed “the Dutch Al Capone” for his connections to organized crime and his lavish lifestyle, Riphagen used the chaos of war to build a fortune while working closely with Nazi authorities. This documentary examines the life of a man who combined criminal ambition with collaboration and became one of the most feared figures in occupied Amsterdam. Born in Amsterdam in 1909, Riphagen spent his early years in a troubled family environment before becoming involved in criminal networks. By the time Germany occupied the Netherlands in May 1940, he was already well acquainted with the underworld. The occupation offered new opportunities, and Riphagen quickly established ties with the SD, the intelligence service of the SS and the Nazi Party. As anti-Jewish measures intensified, he played a role in locating hidden valuables, tracking down people in hiding, and helping the occupation authorities enforce their policies. Over time, he accumulated considerable wealth while expanding his influence within both criminal and collaborationist circles. The documentary follows Riphagen’s wartime activities, his connections to the Henneicke Column, and the network of criminals and collaborators who operated alongside German authorities. It also explores the dramatic events that followed the war, including his controversial treatment by Dutch officials, his remarkable escape across Europe, and his eventual arrival in Argentina, where influential contacts helped him avoid prosecution. Through archival material, historical research, and survivor testimony, this documentary examines collaboration, greed, and accountability during one of the darkest periods of European history. It is the story of a man who profited from occupation, evaded justice for decades, and remained a symbol of betrayal long after the war had ended.
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