Rode Zwaan, De

Date: 1999
Director: Martin Lagestee
Production Company: First Floor Features, Algemene Vereniging Radio Omroep (AVRO)

Stars: Annet Nieuwenhuijzen, Liz Snoyink, Pierre Bokma, Sanne Himmelreich, Rufus Heikens
Location(s): Amsterdam, Castricum (the Netherlands), Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland (the Netherlands) and Overveen (the Netherlands).

Region(s):

Storyline:

After years of living in France, Jakob’s grandfather moves back to the house where he grew up. A fall from the roof sets his grandfather in a feverish state, his only cure might be a red wooden swan he used to play with as a child. Jakob goes on a quest to retrieve it and finds himself locked in a fairy tale world where his only salvation might also be the red swan. Does he have the right eyes to see it?

Additional Information:

Screen captures,  storyline and uncredited now shots provided by Bobby Bok and uploaded by Richard Lovejoy

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

Keizersgracht, Amsterdam 1999

The camera moves through Amsterdam along the Keizersgracht. Manuel adds that the camera moves "over the rooftops glimpse the clocktower of the then department store Metz & Co."

Keizersgracht, Amsterdam

A similar time of year it would appear from the tree. Manuel tells us that this building was originally constructed for the New York Life Insurance Company and is located at the corner of Keizersgracht and Leidsestraat.

Jakob (Rufus Heikens) is walking towards his grandfathers car. Keizersgracht in Amsterdam. Manuel Gurtner advises that the bicycle is leaning against Keizersgracht 433.

Keizersgracht, Amsterdam Circa 1999

As one might expect more vehicles and cycles.

Keizersgracht, Amsterdam

Jakob and his grandfather (André van den Heuvel) drive out of Amsterdam towards Castricum. Keizersgracht again. Manuel tells us that the Citroën XM is heading towards the Steenhouwerijbrug across the Leidsegracht.

Keizersgracht, Amsterdam

A very similar view ten years on. The bridge on the left Manuel advises is bridge 44 across the Leidsegracht and bridge 46 over the Keizersgracht.

Jakob’s mother (Marloes van den Heuvel) is waving them both goodbye. She waves from the entrance of Keizersgracht 435 Manuel clarifies.

Best possible shot from ground level.

Shot from above while the couple are driving out of Amsterdam. Keizersgracht. Manuel adds "The view from the roof top of the Astoria at Keizersgracht 174, a Jugendstil building from 1906 as headquarter of the Eerste Hollandsche Levensverzekerings Bank (life insurance company).

Manuel tells us that this ground level shot from Bobby is the view from the corner of the Astoria towards the junction of Keizersgracht with bridge 51 and Leliegracht with bridge 53 on the right hand side.

In a flashback we see Jakob’s grandfather, as a young boy, as he moves to France. Along the Duinlustweg 24, Overveen.

The garden is now much better maintained.

  • 'Now' required

Jakob’s grandfather and his girl next door Neeltje (Sanne Himmelreich) go for a final swim in the lake with the island. Meertje van Burdet.

Neeltje and Jakob’s grandfather take a rowing boat towards the island. Meertje van Burdet

A peaceful reflection.

After Neeltje played a prank on Jakob’s grandfather he angrily makes his way back home and runs over the bridge. This bridge (which is gone now) behind restaurant "De Bokkendoorns".

Bobby provides the "now" shot confirming that the bridge has indeed gone.

  • 'Now' required

Neeltje is hiding the Red Swan in a hollow tree on the island.

Another shot of the house as the moving truck is bringing Jakob’s grandfather and his family to France.

The existing inhabitants look firmly established.

Back in the present, Jakob and his grandfather are looking towards a village through a window at the attic, bringing back memories with his grandfather.

Dorpskerk Baambrugge, in the town of Baambrugge

Better than viewed from a distance here is a close up of the Dorpskerk Baambrugge, in the town of Baambrugge.

  • 'Now' required

After Jakob met Neeltje for the first time, be runs back to his Grandfather’s house. Brouwerskolkweg, Frank believes that this could be No 14, Overveen.

When Jakob’s grandfather fell from the roof and became feverish, Neeltje tells Jakob about the Red Swan. Brouwerskolkweg 12, Overveen.

Well stocked with logs for the winter.

Jakob falls on the bridge, his blood spilling in the water is breaking the spell releasing the Carpmen. This bridge (which is gone now) behind restaurant "De Bokkedoorns".

Yes Bobby, the bridge has definitely gone.

Jakob flees from the Carpmen and runs into a nearby restaurant.

The Restaurant Klein Zwitserland in Driebergen-Rijsenburg

The Restaurant Klein Zwitserland in Driebergen-Rijsenburg. The inside of the restaurant which is seen in capture 17 isn't filmed there but in Restaurant Johanna's Hof in Castricum.

Inside the restaurant he finds out time is standing still and he is in a parallel universe.

The inside of Restaurant Johanna's Hof in Castricum has highlighted in Capture 16 text.

  • 'Now' required

A narrow escape from the Carpmen outside the restaurant.

Vezel (Nick Majoor) from the Woodpeople runs back to his village to warn the villagers.

Much the same time of the year by the looks of it.

In another flashback we see the Romans marching through the dunes and occupying all land south of the lake.

A rather quieter path during this visit.

The Roman General (Pierre Bokma) at the shore of the lake.

The lake in National Park Zuid-Kennemerland called "Het Wed"

Being in the vicinity Bobby visited the lake in National Park Zuid-Kennemerland called "Het Wed" for the comparison shot.

The erection of the Roman fort at the lake.

Bobby provides a more 21st Century view.

  • 'Now' required

The Woodpeople are resting peacefully at their sacred well, shortly before a Roman attack.

The queen of the Woodpeople curses the Romans for what they did to her people. The curse wasn’t strong enough and although the men were dragged in the lake, they didn’t drown but turned into carp. The blood of a child being able to lift the curse and turn them into men again.

"Het Wed", the lake in National Park Zuid-Kennemerland once again and Bobby was not dragged into it, the curse appears to have finally faded away.

After Jakob and Neeltje found the Red Swan and find out it comes to their aid.

As near as one can safely get now.

After defeating the Carpmen, Jakob hurries back to his grandfather and back to his own time. This bridge (which is gone now) behind restaurant "De Bokkedoorns".

As Bobby says, "the whole area around the former bridge seems very unkept and overgrown."

The Red Swan was able to cure Jakob’s grandfather, the two of them are walking towards Neeltjes house. Brouwerskolkweg 12, Overveen.

Not wishing to miss an opportunity whilst in Overveen, Frank captures this shot of the location as it is now.

  • 'Now' required

Jakob is happy to learn he can return the Red Swan to the Woodpeople. Brouwerskolkweg, Frank believes that this could be No 14, Overveen.

  • 'Now' required

The Red Swan is finally back in the sacred well from the Woodpeople. Jakob saying goodbye to Vezel and Murra (Saskia van der Heide).