Van der Valk

Infobox television
show_name = Van der Valk


country=United Kingdom
format = Police procedural/Drama
picture_format =
runtime = 60min (1972-77)
120min (1991-92)
creator = Nicolas Freeling
channel = ITV
first_aired = 13 September, 1972 (UK)
last_aired = 19 February 1992
num_series = 5
(1972, 1973, 1977, 1991, 1992)
num_episodes = 32
list_episodes =
producer = Thames Television
Euston Films
related =
imdb_id = 0149540
tv_com_id = 8352
website =

"Van der Valk" was a British television series produced by Thames Television for the ITV network. It starred Barry Foster in the title role as Dutch detective Commissaris "Piet" (real name Simon) van der Valk. Based on the characters and atmosphere (but not the plots) of the novels of Nicolas Freeling, the first series was shown in 1972.

The stories are mostly based in and around Amsterdam, where Commissaris van der Valk is a cynical yet intuitive detective. Drugs, sex and murder are the gritty themes of the casework. However, the beautifully shot Amsterdam locations give a peculiar contrast to this. Van der Valk also contrasts with his naïf assistant, Inspecteur Johnny Kroon, and his superior, Hoofd-commissaris Samson, who deals with the political fallout of the cases.

The first series, of six episodes, ran in the United Kingdom in September and October 1972, and the second, of seven episodes, ran likewise in 1973. Both were filmed on 2" Ampex quadruplex videotape at Thames' studios at Teddington, London, with location scenes shot in Amsterdam on more expensive 16mm film.

After a break of four years, a longer, twelve-episode, third series aired in the autumn of 1977. This series was generally made on location, and recorded entirely on 16mm film by Thames' subsidiary, Euston Films (perhaps best known for dramas such as "The Sweeney" and "Minder"), giving the programmes a consistently gritty feel.

The format was revived once more towards the end of Thames' life as a part of the ITV network, with four two-hour episodes of the fourth series in January and February 1991, and the fifth series of three two-hour episodes in February 1992. By this time, recording technology had moved on and the first series was recorded on 1" Panasonic videotape, with location shooting done on 35mm film. The final series was similar, but with the studio recording on Digital Videotape (although digital broadcasting hadn't yet arrived in Britain) with location shooting done on film.

The memorable signature tune, "Eye Level", composed by Jack Trombey and played by the Simon Park Orchestra, reached number one in the UK singles charts in 1973. Also that year, Matt Monro charted with a vocal version titled "And You Smiled."

Network released all episodes of the series, from 1972 to 1992, on DVD in the autumn of 2007.

Other Van der Valks

A less known British film featuring the character entitled "Amsterdam Affair" was made in 1968, featuring German actor Wolfgang Kieling in the main role. "Because of the Cats" (1973) is a Dutch/Belgian co-production starring British actor Bryan Marshall as Van der Valk. There was also a Franco-German series of made-for-TV movies starring Frank Finlay: "Van der Valk und das Mädchen" (1972), "Van der Valk und die Reichen" (1973), and "Pas de frontières pour l'inspecteur: Le bouc émissaire" (1975).

External links

*imdb title|id=0149540|title=Van der Valk
* [http://epguides.com/VanDerValk/ Epguides' article on the series]