Van der Valk

Van der Valk was a UK television series starring Barry Foster in the title role as Dutch detective Commissaris Piet van der Valk. Based on the characters and atmosphere, but not the plots, of the novels of Nicholas Freeling, the first series was shown in 1972.

Related Topics:
Barry Foster - Nicholas Freeling - 1972

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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.

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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. After a break of four years, a longer, twelve-episode, third series aired in September-November 1977. The format was revived once again with four two-hour episodes of the fourth series in January and February 1991, and the fifth series three two-hour episodes in February 1992.

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The signature tune, Eye Level played by the Simon Park Orchestra was a hit in the UK charts.

Related Topics:
Eye Level - Simon Park Orchestra

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