Van der Valk (original) (raw)

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British TV crime drama (1972–1992)

Van der Valk
DVD box set
Genre Crime drama Mystery
Created by Nicolas Freeling
Starring Barry FosterMichael LatimerSusan TraversMartin WyldeckSydney TaflerJoanna DunhamNigel StockMeg DaviesRichard HuwRonald Hines
Theme music composer Jack Trombey
Opening theme "Eye Level"
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language English
No. of series 5
No. of episodes 32 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers Lloyd Shirley George Taylor Brian Walcroft
Producers Geoffrey Gilbert Robert Love Michael Chapman
Production location Netherlands
Cinematography Dusty Miller Roy Pointer Colin Munn
Editors John S. Smith Ian Toynton Ralph Sheldon
Running time 60 minutes (Series 1–3) 120 minutes (Series 4–5)
Production companies Thames Television Euston Films Elmgate Productions
Original release
Network ITV
Release 13 September 1972 (1972-09-13) – 19 February 1992 (1992-02-19)

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

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Background and production

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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

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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.

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.

The signature theme, "Eye Level", was composed by Jack Trombey (a pseudonym of Dutch composer Jan Stoeckart) and was performed by the Simon Park Orchestra.[1] It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1973.[1] Also that year, Matt Monro charted with a vocal version titled "And You Smiled".[_citation needed_] In the final TV series, the theme was played at a slightly faster tempo than previously.

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.[_citation needed_] The remaining seasons 3-5 were not released until "The Complete Series" box set by Network on 22 October 2007.[_citation needed_] Network re-released the box set on 20 August 2018.[2] In Region 4, Shock Entertainment released "The Complete Collection" box set on 18 September 2013,[3] and was re-released by Via Vision Entertainment on 2 June 2021.[4]

DVD Releases
Season Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
1–5 TBA Clear Vision Series 1 & 2 22 July 2002 22 October 2007 Network 20 August 2018 (Network) 18 September 2013 (Shock Entertainment)2 June 2021 (Via Vision Entertainment)
  1. ^ a b Virtue, Graeme (28 April 2020). "Variations on a theme tune: musical reboots, from Van Der Valk to Doctor Who". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Van Der Valk: The Complete Series | DVD Box Set | Free shipping over £20". HMV. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Van Der Walk - The Complete Collection". Sanity. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Van Der Valk | Complete Collection". Sanity. Retrieved 3 October 2022.