Lagonda

Before World War II, the architect Jan Frederik van Erven Dorens built large country houses and made a fortune. With his earnings, in 1938, he bought his dream car, a Lagonda, for 13,200 Guilders. ‘More expensive than a Rolls Royce and equal to ten Chevrolets.’ During the War, the car disappears, only to reappear after the liberation. General Montgomery is driven around in it during the triumphant entry of friendly Forces into Amsterdam. Since then, Van Erven Dorens, who never recovered the car, grumbles that ‘Prince Bernhard stole his car’. In 1989, his grandson, Robin van Erven Dorens, begins a film about his grandfather’s architectural work. After the latter’s death, Robin then decides that it’s a much better idea to make a film about the Lagonda. With interviews, archival research and meetings with descendants, the history of the Lagonda, chassis number 12341, is reconstructed from past right up to the present. Because it incorporates many historical films and photographs, this film also is a vivid portrait of granddad and his work. With Lagonda Robin van Erven Dorens won the IDFA scenario workshop in 2002.