Van der Valk


Van der Valk is a British television crime drama series produced for the ITV network by Thames Television. It ran from 13 September 1972 to 19 February 1992, with the first three series produced between 1972 and 1977, and two more being commissioned in 1991 and 1992.
The series was created by Nicolas Freeling, based on his novels about a detective in Amsterdam. It starred Barry Foster in the role of titular character Simon "Piet" van der Valk.

Cast and characters

The show was produced by Thames Television for the ITV network. The first two series were produced in 1971 and 1972, followed by a third in 1977, with two more being commissioned in 1991 and 1992.
The first and second series, of 6 and 7 one-hour episodes respectively, were recorded on 2" quadruplex videotape at Thames' Teddington Studios in London, with location scenes shot in Amsterdam on 16mm film.
The third series of 12 episodes, again of one hour in length, was generally made on location, entirely on 16mm film, by Thames's subsidiary Euston Films.
The fourth series and fifth series, of four and three two-hour episodes, were produced by Elmgate Productions, and also entirely shot on 35mm film. They were also entirely shot on location in the Netherlands and were transmitted in stereo sound using the NICAM system.

Setting and characters

The television series was based on the characters and atmosphere, but not the plots, of the original novels. The stories mostly take place in and around Amsterdam, where Commissaris van der Valk is a cynical yet intuitive detective. Drugs, sex and murder are among the gritty themes of the casework, presented in contrast to the picturesque locations and the upbeat theme music.
In the opening credits of the first series, Van der Valk is standing inside the tower of the Westerkerk.
In the first two series Van der Valk contrasts with his naïve assistant, Inspecteur Johnny Kroon, played by Michael Latimer, and his superior, Hoofd-commissaris Samson, who deals with the political fallout of the cases. The fourth series and fifth series portrayed a more senior Van der Valk and introduced a son, Wim, also an Amsterdam detective. Samson was played by three actors over the course of the show: Martin Wyldeck for two episodes in 1972, Nigel Stock for 12 episodes in 1977, and Ronald Hines for the revival in 1991–92. Van der Valk's French wife Arlette was played by three actresses over the course of the show's twenty-year run: initially by Susan Travers, Joanna Dunham for the third series, and finally Meg Davies for the revival in 1991–92. Other actors included Sydney Tafler, as Hoofd-commissaris Halsbeek, and Alan Haines and Dave Carter, who played uniformed officers Mertens and Stribos. In the revival Richard Huw, played Van der Valk's son Wim, and Natasha Pyne his secretary, Janet.

Locations

Series 1 and 2 are set at the Art Nouveau Politiebureau no. 14 at Leidseplein 15, while series 3 to 5 show the Amsterdam police headquarters at Marnixstraat 260-264.

Episodes

Series 1 (1972)

Series 2 (1973)

Series 3 (1977)

Series 4 (1991)

Series 5 (1992)

Other media

Soundtrack

The signature theme, "Eye Level", was composed by Jack Trombey and was performed by the Simon Park Orchestra. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1973. Also that year, Matt Monro charted with a vocal version titled "And You Smiled". In the final TV series, the theme was played at a slightly faster tempo than previously.

Home media

Van der Valk Season 1 was released on DVD in Region 2 in 2002.Part 3 & Part 4 on dvd Have been mislabeled by Clear Vision as Series 1 but are actually Series 2. The remaining seasons 3-5 were not released until "The Complete Series" box set by Network on 22 October 2007. Network re-released the box set on 20 August 2018. In Region 4, Shock Entertainment released "The Complete Collection" box set on 18 September 2013, and was re-released by Via Vision Entertainment on 2 June 2021.