Van der Valk
Encyclopedia
Van der Valk is a British television
series that was 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.
, 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, played by Michael Latimer, and his superior, Hoofd-commissaris Samson (played by Nigel Stock), who deals with the political fallout of the cases. Other notable actors in the series included Alan Haines
who played Brig. Mertens
in September and October 1972, and the second, of seven episodes, ran likewise in 1973. Both were recorded on 2" Ampex
quadruplex
videotape at Thames studios
in 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, 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. This 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.
Network released all five series on DVD in the UK in the autumn of 2007.
, reached number one in the UK singles charts in 1973. Also that year, Matt Monro
charted with a vocal version titled "And You Smiled." The music originally appeared on the 1971 De Wolfe Music
LP Double or Quits (DWLP 3209).
In the final TV series, the theme was played at a slightly faster tempo than previously.
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 co-production series of made-for-TV movies starring Frank Finlay
in the title role:
British television
Public television broadcasting started in the United Kingdom in 1936, and now has a collection of free and subscription services over a variety of distribution media, through which there are over 480 channelsTaking the base Sky EPG TV Channels. A breakdown is impossible due to a) the number of...
series that was produced by Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
for the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network. It starred Barry Foster
Barry Foster (actor)
Barry Foster was a British actor who appeared in numerous film roles and is known for his leading role as a Dutch detective in the ITV drama series, Van der Valk, which spanned five series over 20 years from 1972....
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
Nicolas Freeling
Nicolas Freeling, born Nicolas Davidson , was a British crime novelist, best known as the author of the Van der Valk series of detective novels...
, the first series was shown in 1972.
The setting and characters
The stories are mostly based in and around AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, 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, played by Michael Latimer, and his superior, Hoofd-commissaris Samson (played by Nigel Stock), who deals with the political fallout of the cases. Other notable actors in the series included Alan Haines
Alan Haines
Alan Haines was a British actor and playwright who spent four years in the Royal Navy during World War II — including at D-Day on his 20th birthday and appeared in many West End shows and touring productions, as well as in the cult TV series Dad's Army and Van der Valk and two notable films:...
who played Brig. Mertens
Production history and details
The first series, of six episodes, ran in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in September and October 1972, and the second, of seven episodes, ran likewise in 1973. Both were recorded on 2" Ampex
Ampex
Ampex is an American electronics company founded in 1944 by Alexander M. Poniatoff. The name AMPEX is an acronym, created by its founder, which stands for Alexander M. Poniatoff Excellence...
quadruplex
2 inch Quadruplex videotape
2-inch quadruplex videotape was the first practical and commercially successful analog recording videotape format. It was developed and released for the broadcast television industry in 1956 by Ampex, an American company based in Redwood City, California...
videotape at Thames studios
Teddington Studios
Teddington Studios is a large British television studio complex located in Teddington, South-West London, providing studio facilities for programmes airing on BBC television, ITV, and Channel 4 along with others...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, with location scenes shot in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
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, entirely on 16mm film, by Thames' subsidiary Euston Films
Euston Films
Euston Films was a British film and television production company. It was a subsidiary company of Thames Television, and operated from the 1970s to the 1990s, producing various series for Thames, which were screened nationally on the ITV network...
(perhaps best known for dramas such as The Sweeney
The Sweeney
The Sweeney is a 1970s British television police drama focusing on two members of the Flying Squad, a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in tackling armed robbery and violent crime in London...
and Minder
Minder (TV series)
Minder is a British comedy-drama about the London criminal underworld. Initially produced by Verity Lambert, it was made by Euston Films, a subsidiary of Thames Television and shown on ITV...
), 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
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
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. This series was recorded on 1" Panasonic
Panasonic
Panasonic is an international brand name for Japanese electric products manufacturer Panasonic Corporation, which was formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
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.
Network released all five series on DVD in the UK in the autumn of 2007.
The signature music
The memorable signature tune, Eye Level, composed by Jack Trombey and played by the Simon Park OrchestraSimon Park Orchestra
The Simon Park Orchestra is a group which is most notable for producing the instrumental, "Eye Level", which spent four weeks at the number one position in the UK Singles Chart in September 1973. Simon Park was born in March 1946 in Market Harborough, England...
, reached number one in the UK singles charts in 1973. Also that year, Matt Monro
Matt Monro
Matt Monro was an English singer who became one of the most popular entertainers on the international music scene during the 1960s...
charted with a vocal version titled "And You Smiled." The music originally appeared on the 1971 De Wolfe Music
De Wolfe Music
De Wolfe Music is the originator of what has become known as production music as it was established in 1909 and began its recorded library in 1927 with the advent of 'Talkies'. The library consists of over 80,000 tracks, all pre-cleared for licensing and synchronisation...
LP Double or Quits (DWLP 3209).
In the final TV series, the theme was played at a slightly faster tempo than previously.
Other Van der Valks
A less known BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
featuring the character entitled Amsterdam Affair
Amsterdam Affair
Amsterdam Affair is a 1968 British crime film directed by Gerry O'Hara and starring Wolfgang Kieling, William Marlowe, Catherine Schell and Pamela Ann Davy. Dutch policeman Van Der Valk investigates a novelist who is accused of murdering his mistress...
was made in 1968, featuring German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
Wolfgang Kieling
Wolfgang Kieling
Wolfgang Kieling was a German actor. In films since childhood in his native Germany, Kieling also occasionally appeared in English-language films, most notably in Alfred Hitchcock's Torn Curtain , where he played an East German agent brutally slain by Paul Newman...
in the main role.
Because of the Cats
Because of the Cats
Because of the Cats is a 1973 Dutch-Belgian drama film directed by Fons Rademakers and starring Bryan Marshall, Alexandra Stewart and Sebastian Graham Jones. In Amsterdam Inspector Van der Valk is on the trail of a group of wealthy young men who go round attacking woman for entertainment. Its Dutch...
(1973) is a Dutch/Belgian co-production starring British actor Bryan Marshall
Bryan Marshall
Bryan Marshall is an English actor, with a number of major credits in film and television to his name.Marshall was born in Clapham, London...
as Van der Valk.
There was also a Franco-German co-production series of made-for-TV movies starring Frank Finlay
Frank Finlay
Francis Finlay, CBE is an English stage, film and television actor.-Personal life:Finlay was born in Farnworth, Lancashire, the son of Margaret and Josiah Finlay, a butcher. A devout Catholic, he belongs to the British Catholic Stage Guild. He was educated at St...
in the title role:
- Van der Valk und das Mädchen (1972)
- Van der Valk und die Reichen (1973)
- Pas de frontières pour l'inspecteur: Le bouc émissaire (1975).