The spectacular story of Abeltje, the cool little lift-boy, who takes off, lift and all, marking the start of an adventure film full of comic complications, exciting chases and humorous cases of mistaken identity. This to the horror of the management of the department store where he works, the other inhabitants of the lift and of course his mother.
Soon after the lift flies out of the department store, Abeltje finds out how to steer the lift. His travelling companions - his classmate Laura, the businessman Mr Tump and singing teacher Miss Klaterhoen - are also embroiled in his adventure.
Abel manages to land the lift on a New York parking lot. There Abel sets off to look for work. Millionaire's wife Mrs Cockle-Smith thinks he is her long-lost son Johnny and kidnaps him. Locked up in the luxury penthouse of his 'second' mother, Abeltje finds out that he does bear an uncanny resemblance to Johnny, this makes his next destination clear: he wants to find Johnny. Mr Tump helps Abeltje to escape and immediately after they reach the lift they set off at top speed for Perugona, the spot where Johnny disappeared.
In Perugona their visit happens to coincide with a coup. Our friends end up in the hands of the guerrillas who appoint the vain Mr Tump as President. Everyone knows that Tump is only a puppet, Mr Tump himself is convinced that this career leap is justified confirmation of his personality. Mr Tump's position makes it possible for Abeltje to set off with Laura in search of Johnny. In Holland and New York it has become clear that the lift and its inhabitants are in Perugona and the mothers of Abeltje and Johnny set off to look for their offspring.
The exciting hunt for Abeltje has started. The hunt gets even more exciting when Abeltje does indeed manage to find Johnny. In the end, Abeltje's mother arrives in Perugona and accidentally takes Johnny back in her plane and sets off to Holland. When Mr Tump is then deposed, it's high time for the lift-travellers to set off for the safety of their own home. But the in front of the eyes of Mother Roef, Mrs Cockle Smith and the guerrillas the lift disappears into the volcano Quoquapepapetl. During the memorial service for our four heroes in the department store, the lift pops up in the elevator shaft and everyone is reunited in a smashing happy ending.
Abeltje is a comic adventure film brimming with special effects, but friendship and subtle human emotions will give the film the credibility that we are convinced will make it a successful film for young people.
Productiejaar 1998 Leeftijd Lengte Feature film: 110 minutes, television-series: 7 x 25 mi
Crew Scenario Burny Bos Regie Ben Sombogaart Producent Burny Bos Co-producenten Kees Kassander, DELUX Productions, AVRO, VRT, WDR Auteur v/h boek Annie M.G. Schmidt Executive producer Michiel de Rooij Uitvoerend producent Debby de Jong D.O.P. Reinier van Brummelen Production design Wilbert van Dorp Geluid Erik Langhout Kostuum Heleen Heintjes Make-up Leendert van Nimwegen Editor Herman P.Koerts Geluidsmontage Peter Flamman Muziek Henny Vrienten Stills fotograaf Dinand van der Wal
Cast Abeltje/ Johnny Ricky van Gastel Laura Soraya Smit Meneer Tump Frits Lambrechts Juffrouw Klaterhoen Marisa van Eyle Moeder Roef / Mrs Cockle-Smith Annet Malherbe Schraap Victor L Schoolmeester Kees Hulst Adjudant Ben Ramakers Generalissimo Philip van Lidth de Jeude Tolk Herman Koch Popcornverkoper Michel van Dousselaere Huisknecht Cas Enklaar Guerrillabaas Carine Crutzen Guerrillabewaker Rene van Asten
