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 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
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.
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)
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.[citation needed]
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.[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)
When a man confesses to the double murder of his wife and her lover it seems an open-and-shut case; but as one part after another of the man's story does not check out, Van der Valk realises he is dealing with something far more complicated - the murder was committed seven years earlier.
2
"Destroying Angel"
Michael Chapman
Graham Evans
20 September 1972 (1972-09-20)
A man is found dead in his room above a sleazy bar and brothel. Van der Valk is called in when the examining doctor suspects poisoning. Immediately sensing there is more to the case than meets the eye, he uncovers a complicated web involving drug dealing and the grubbier end of Amsterdam's S & M industry. Ultimately though, he finds the motive for the man's murder may lay elsewhere and that "Destroying Angel" is definitely involved; but who, or what, is that?
3
"Blue Notes"
Geoffrey Gilbert
Marc Miller
27 September 1972 (1972-09-27)
When Jan Servaas, a world-famous Dutch violinist, makes a rare concert appearance in his home country it is an eagerly awaited event. In the weeks leading up to the concert Van der Valk receives a series of mysterious notes, written on blue paper, warning that Servaas will be "executed" if he comes to Amsterdam. Van der Valk ignores Kroon's pleas to have the concert canceled until the case is solved, perhaps in part because he and Arlette have tickets and are looking forward to it! It is a decision that will have tragic consequences as a drama which began with betrayal in wartime Limburg plays out to a fatal conclusion in 1970s Amsterdam.
4
"Elected Silence"
Geoffrey Gilbert
Douglas Camfield
4 October 1972 (1972-10-04)
Officers investigating a hearse abandoned near the Royal Palace make a bizarre discovery which appears to be a threat against Paul Harkemer, well-known editor of a right-wing magazine, and/or his 19-year-old daughter. At first it appears that it may be nothing more than a publicity stunt for the left-wing rock band Emerald Scorpion, and Harkemer himself seems totally unconcerned. The case seems to be over before it began, but then the police receive a cassette tape from someone claiming to be the kidnapper of Harkemer's daughter.
5
"Thicker Than Water"
Geoffrey Gilbert
David Wickes
11 October 1972 (1972-10-11)
A body dredged up from a canal is tentatively identified as the son of a British MP, but when she views the body she says it is not her son. Van der Valk refuses to believe this and calls on his British colleagues to help prove the boy's identity. The boy's face is well-known in Amsterdam's transvestite and transsexual scene, and Van der Valk's inquiries there lead him deeper and deeper into a dark world of sexual depravity and exploitation involving some of the most prominent public figures in Europe. Samson desperately advises him to proceed with extreme caution. In the face of the mother's refusal to co-operate, Van der Valk finds his best hope is to look elsewhere in the family for help.
6
"The Adventurer"
Michael Chapman
Peter Duguid
18 October 1972 (1972-10-18)
Why would German Wolf Gebhardt (Paul Eddington) decide, in middle age, to take up an apprenticeship in stonemasonry in Amsterdam? Why would a man killed in a car accident be carrying a newspaper cutting with a photo of Gebhardt? Van der Valk senses that Gebhardt is in danger and even attempts to have him taken into protective custody when he refuses to co-operate with inquiries. Short on options, Van der Valk makes a fatal misjudgement before he finally unravels this complex and frustrating case.
Series 2 (1973)
Episode
Title
Written by
Directed by
Original airdate
1
"A Death by the Sea"
Philip Broadley
Don Leaver
29 August 1973 (1973-08-29)
Van Teesling (Patrick Allen), a wealthy and influential banker, is found unconscious in his car on the beach. He tells police that the night before he and his wife went for a drunken midnight swim. His wife drowned while he barely escaped with his life. Van der Valk's nose is twitching, but he is put under pressure not to pursue the case. When Kroon discovers that Van Teesling is a former Olympic swimmer, Van der Valk is convinced that he staged the incident to get rid of his wife. Van der Valk is determined to use any means to ensure that justice is done.
2
"A Man of No Importance"
Arden Winch
Douglas Camfield
5 September 1973 (1973-09-05)
Van der Valk investigates when the body of a man wearing only pyjama trousers is discovered on a canal barge.
3
"A Rose from Mr. Reinhart"
Peter Yeldham
Mike Vardy
12 September 1973 (1973-09-12)
Arlette van der Valk is concerned about the safety of Karen Seger, an attractive young woman that she and the children know from visits to the park. She asks her husband to meet the woman and consider whether she might need police protection.
4
"A Dangerous Point of View"
Jeremy Paul
Jim Goddard
19 September 1973 (1973-09-19)
The body of a man who has been stabbed to death is discovered in a flat. Van der Valk must find out why the dead man was there and who could have known about it.
5
"Season for Love"
Philip Broadley
Mike Vardy
26 September 1973 (1973-09-26)
Van der Valk agrees to help a rich American woman (Lisa Daniely) who is looking for a young man who has gone missing in Amsterdam, but soon discovers that it is the woman who may be in real danger.
6
"Rich Man, Poor Man"
David Butler
Douglas Camfield
3 October 1973 (1973-10-03)
A worker at a firm that reconditions farm machinery is injured in an explosion at the premises. The man insists he caused the accident himself, but van der Valk is convinced that he is covering up the truth.
7
"The Rainbow Ends Here"
Philip Broadley
Graham Evans
10 October 1973 (1973-10-10)
The sister of tycoon Evert Stolle is kidnapped, but her brother does not want the police to get involved.
Series 3 (1977)
Episode
Title
Written by
Directed by
Original airdate
1
"Enemy"
Paul Wheeler
Mike Vardy
5 September 1977 (1977-09-05)
The lives of Piet and Arlette van der Valk are threatened. (This episode was repeated on ITV as part of the Thames 21st Birthday celebrations in 1989.)[citation needed]
2
"Accidental"
Ted Childs
Tom Clegg
12 September 1977 (1977-09-12)
An international scandal over charges of corruption in high places emerges, and the chief prosecutor disappears.
3
"The Runt"
Leslie Sands
Mike Vardy
19 September 1977 (1977-09-19)
A likeable rogue, a small-time thief and con-man, for whom Van der Valk develops a grudging affection. But the thief suddenly becomes wealthy and also seems to be connected with an important family. The pressures are on Van der Valk to find out why, but without embarrassing too many people.
4
"Wolf"
Philip Broadley
Mike Vardy
26 September 1977 (1977-09-26)
A young German is murdered in his bed. The apartment is littered with clues. For Van der Valk there is a clue too many.
5
"Man of Iron"
Michael Chapman
William Brayne
3 October 1977 (1977-10-03)
When one of Van der Valk's close friends suffers a series of apparently pointless attacks, he finds himself looking for a mysterious hidden enemy who could strike at any second.
6
"Everybody Does It"
Philip Broadley
Ben Bolt
10 October 1977 (1977-10-10)
Arlette van der Valk picks up a dubious bargain and inadvertently gets her husband caught up with a crime syndicate.
7
"Face Value"
Robert Wales
Mike Vardy
17 October 1977 (1977-10-17)
Van der Valk investigates a case of forgery and uncovers a dead artist and a strange collection of pictures.
8
"Dead on Arrival"
Patrick O'Brian
Ted Childs
24 October 1977 (1977-10-24)
A Dutch clairvoyant is invited to Britain to assist with an old murder investigation. Bob Hoskins had a role in this episode, shot entirely at Heathrow and London.
9
"The Professor"
Roger Marshall
Ted Childs
31 October 1977 (1977-10-31)
A university professor, using a false name, is found shot dead in a hotel room. Van der Valk discovers the professors has been taking sexual advantage of his students and taking photographs of them.
10
"In Hazard"
Paul Wheeler
William Brayne
7 November 1977 (1977-11-07)
Van der Valk has reason to doubt a beautiful woman's story.
11
"Gold Plated Delinquents"
Roger Marshall
Tom Clegg
14 November 1977 (1977-11-14)
Some spoiled rich kids in search of new thrills cause a headache for Van der Valk.
12
"Diane"
Philip Broadley
Mike Vardy
21 November 1977 (1977-11-21)
A woman who has been trying to escape the past finds that it catches up with her in Amsterdam. Actress Jane Merrow was the guest.
Series 4 (1991)
Episode
Title
Written by
Directed by
Original airdate
1
"Doctor Hoffman's Children"
Jonathan Hales
Anthony Simmons
16 January 1991 (1991-01-16)
Van der Valk investigates a series of murders, including a fall, a burning, a drowning, a dog attack and a shooting, all echoing stories from Struwwelpeter. He discovers that all of the victims attended the same village school during the Second World War and links them all to a tragic death during the Hunger Winter of 1944.
2
"Dangerous Games"
Don Shaw
Jim Goddard
23 January 1991 (1991-01-23)
Van der Valk plays cat-and-mouse with a leaker in police headquarters after his son Wim is accused of leaking vital police intelligence.
3
"A Sudden Silence"
Keith Dewhurst
Herbert Wise
30 January 1991 (1991-01-30)
Government minister Van Hoorn is killed as he attempts to flee the country. Van der Valk discovers that Van Hoorn had a secret identity and had been accepting bribes. He interrogates Van Hoorn's wife Melanie forcefully, but she does not reveal the identity of her husband's killer, a young research assistant who had fallen in love with her. Van der Valk suspects that she has incited the killer, but Samson instructs him to drop the case. As far as Samson is concerned, the case has been successfully closed, and press interest will soon quiet down. However, the murder of Van Hoorn's gay lover, machine-gunned from a counterfeit police car, is left unresolved on Dirk Boutsen's caseload.
4
"The Little Rascals"
Peter Buckman
Alan Cooke
6 February 1991 (1991-02-06)
An aging alternative comedian has been strangled. Van der Valk finds his investigation into the murder hampered at every turn. The body of the comedian's widow is fished out of a canal. The manager of the club where the comedian worked is the next to die. All three had been members of a society known as the Little Rascals at university, and other members find themselves the targets of a series of attacks. Van der Valk investigates and worries about a young woman whose parents have been affected by the incidents.
Series 5 (1992)
Episode
Title
Written by
Directed by
Original airdate
1
"The Ties That Bind"
Kenneth Ware
Anthony Simmons
5 February 1992 (1992-02-05)
The wife of a diamond merchant is shot and killed as she leaves a restaurant. Meanwhile, a former judge is shot dead and Van der Valk is brought in to solve the case. A suspect is apprehended, but confesses that someone else got to the judge first. Moreover, what is the connection between the judge's killing and a drug case Wim is investigating?
2
"Proof of Life"
Keith Dewhurst
Tom Clegg
12 February 1992 (1992-02-12)
When a businessman and his son are kidnapped, Van der Valk must establish whether the man's wife is involved.
3
"Still Waters"
Stuart Hepburn
Herbert Wise
19 February 1992 (1992-02-19)
A new sea barrier is at the centre of a row between senior Dutch politicians and the radical Green Party. When the row leads to murder, van der Valk is called in to investigate.
