Van der Valk

Van der Valk is a British television crime drama series produced for the ITV network by Thames Television. It ran from 1972 to 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

 * Barry Foster as Commissaris Simon "Piet" van der Valk
 * Michael Latimer as Inspecteur Johnny Kroon (Series 1–2)
 * Susan Travers as Arlette van der Valk (Series 1–2)
 * Joanna Dunham as Arlette van der Valk (Series 3)
 * Meg Davies as Arlette van der Valk (Series 4–5)
 * Martin Wyldeck as Hoofd-commissaris Samson (Series 1)
 * Nigel Stock as Hoofd-commissaris Samson (Series 3)
 * Ronald Hines as Hoofd-commissaris Samson (Series 4–5)
 * Sydney Tafler as Hoofd-commissaris Halsbeek (Series 2)
 * Richard Huw as Wim van der Valk (Series 4–5)
 * Dave Carter as Brigadier Stribos (Series 1–2)
 * Natasha Pyne as Janet (Series 4–5)
 * Alan Haines as Brigadier Mertens (Series 1)

Background and production
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.


 * S01 E01 "One Herring's Not Enough": Schiller Hotel (Rembrandtplein)
 * S01 E02 "Destroying Angel": Stadsschouwburg, Apollo Hotel, Aerdenhout, Zandvoort beach
 * S01 E06 "The Adventurer": Westerkerk, d’Vijff Vlieghen (Spuistraat 294), Apollo Hotel
 * S02 E01 "A Death by the Sea": Bonebakker jeweller's (Rokin 88-99)
 * S02 E02 "A Man of No Importance": Demka-spoorbrug over the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal, Magere Brug, Waterlooplein market, Mozes en Aäronkerk, Centraal station, De Oude Prins, Amstelzijde 37 (now Loetje aan de Amstel) and ‘Antiek O.V. Kemeling’, Amstelzijde 33, Ouderkerk
 * S02 E03 "A Rose from Mr Reinhardt": Beatrixpark, Rembrandtplein, De Wallen
 * S02 E04 "A Dangerous Point of View": university courtyard, Albert Cuyp Market, Taanplaats (Spaarndam), Slokop windmill (Spaarndam)
 * S02 E05 "Season for Love": Schiphol, De Krijtberg church, shop at Singel 419 and café at Singel 415
 * S02 E06 "Rich Man, Poor Man": Sloterdijkerbrug, Galgenstraat & Prinseneiland 22
 * S03 E01 "Enemy": Car chase along Oostenburgergracht, nl:Dageraadsbrug (nl), De Gooyer, Funenkade, Zeeburgerpad, Panamalaan, Nieuwe Entrepotdokschutsluis, nl:Brug 352 (nl), Cruquiusweg loading ramp, Pakhuis Koning Willem I
 * S03 E05 "Man of Iron": Paradiso, Weteringschans 6, Entrepotdok
 * S03 E03 "The Runt": Montelbaanstoren, Zuider IJdijk, Syphonsluis bij het nl:Gemaal Zeeburg, Amsterdamse Brug, Kalkmarkt 5
 * S03 E04 "Wolf": Lijnbaansgracht 11, Leidsestraat, nl:Reynders (café), Magere Brug, Vondelpark, Dam
 * S03 E06 "Everybody Does It": Victoria Hotel, Werfmolern De Kat (Zaanse Schans), NDSM, National Monument (Dam Square)
 * S03 E07 "Face Value": Schiphol, Okura Hotel (Ferdinand Bolstraat), De Derde Bocht (Durgerdammerdijk), Prinz Snackbar-Restaurant (Ceintuurbaan 350) and chase across Ceintuurbaan-Sarphatipark junction, Prinsengracht 180 (H Keijzer koffie- en theehadnel), 172 (Dian) & 168 (De Eike Boom gallery)
 * S03 E08 "Dead on Arrival": Heathrow Airport, Victoria Embankment, London
 * S03 E09 "The Professor": American Hotel, Sportshop Roelvink (Amsterdamseweg 506, Amstelveen), university quad, Oudemanhuispoort, Molen de Dikkert (Amsterdamseweg 104a, Amstelveen), Kortjewantsbrug and underpass, Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum (Postgebouw in background)
 * S03 E10 "In Hazard": Houthaven, Dam
 * S03 E11 "Gold Plated Delinquents": Kadijksplein, Pontsteiger-Distelweg car ferry
 * S03 E12 "Diane": De Oude Smidse (Oudekerk), Rembrandt statue by Riekermolen, Paulus Potterstraat, Museumplein highway (in place 1953-1997), Reguliersbreestraat 44 (then Café Otten, now Burgerfabriek)
 * S04 E02 Dangerous Games: Houthaven car ferry, Silodam, Durgerdam, Multatuli statue (Torensluis), Artis, Groote Zeesluis (Muiden), Muidersloot, Oude Kerk, De Ruijterkade, Loods 6 (KNSM Island)
 * S04 E03 "A Sudden Silence": Kurhaus (Scheveningen), Rijksmuseum, Binnenhof, Kamer van Koophandel, Sloterdijk station, Jaagpad/Punterspad (Nieuwe Meer), Hoogte Kadijk/Matrozenhof
 * S04 E04 "The Little Rascals": Noorderkerk, Prinsensluis, Silodam, Haarlemmer Houttuinen, Ketelmakerstraat cycle bridge – [illogical route] – Petermayersbrug, Zandhoek 9-1, Spui, Oudemanhuispoort book market, Radhuisstraat
 * S05 E01 "The Ties that Bind": roof of Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky (Dam Square), Restaurant Luden (Spuistraat 108), roof of Spuistraat 281, Hilton Hotel (Apollolaan), Herengracht 541
 * S05 E02 "Proof of Life": Laagte Kadijk, Waterlooplein market, metro to Centraal, Muiderpoortstation, Oude Kerk
 * S05 E03 "Still Waters": landing stage on Snoekjesgracht, Kromboomsloot, Stopera, under Oostertoegangsspoorbrug, Toetsenbordweg (Western Harbour)
 * The Four Oaks Mystery: Ambassade Hotel (Herengracht 229), Nijlpaardenbrug (Entrepotdok)

Soundtrack
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. 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.