Kunt u me de weg naar Hamelen vertellen, meneer?

One of the famous children's TV-series from the Netherlands in the 60's and 70's. Captivating storyline, fabulous cast and hopefully they'll find the entire series (most of it is lost) one day for rebroadcasting or DVD release. Worth watching, as the ratcatcher solves the ratproblem in the town of Hamelen, but then disappears - with all the children of the town. The alternate reality they find themselves in is one big adventure (kind of like Alice in Wonderland).

'Hamelen' is almost beyond legendary for our generation growing up in the 70's in Holland. The fact that most of it will never be seen again due to the standard procedure of re-using tapes brings tears to ones eyes. On the other hand : I tried to interest my offspring to the 6 episodes that have survived (and put on DVD), and they shook their heads in dismay. Well, some things do not age - like the shorts by Laurel & Hardy / Citizen Kane by O. Welles - but ultra-low budget dutch TV Series from the past do.. Ultimately, this is a lesson; you cannot go 'back'. It's slow, effects are laughable, acting for the most part is mediocre. Some of the songs still work, though not for the obnoxious children involved. A true legend should not be judged by modern standards I guess

Edit: Original review below, but since then a hunt for 'lost' material has proved successful. From various sources videotapes have been found and these have been used to restore another 9 full colour episodes, to be released on DVD early 2013).

Original review from 2006: One of the most legendary and beloved TV-series ever produced in The Netherlands. Originally broadcast in the early-mid seventies unfortunately only 6 full episodes of a total 45 have survived to this day. All the other episodes were lost when the original tapes were erased and re-used for other t.v.shows. Aimed specifically at a young audience it nevertheless captivated grown-up audiences as well. Besides beautiful sets and great characters, the imaginative and inventive storyline was helped along by 120 delightful songs, courtesy of composer Joop Stokkermans. These songs thankfully did survive and have been released on a 4-cd album a few years back. Maybe the most important aspect of "Hamelen" was the use of language and the delicious word-plays by writer Harrie Geelen. His remarkable ability to create a language for the fantasy land that our heroes fell into is absolutely unique and can perhaps be considered as unparalleled in Dutch t.v.writing. The 6 remaining episodes were released on DVD a few years back and though the acting and effects are obviously somewhat dated, the story itself is as fresh as 30 years ago. Highly recommended.

Well, I don't know if it was ever sold to another country, but these TV-series are one of the greatest products ever made in Holland and if you EVER, EVER get a chance to watch one episode of it, don't hesitate at all, cause you won't regret it. After the children have disappeared with the pied piper, it's end of the story...with a happy return somewhere at the end. But ever wondered what happened and where they went?

The children, and a young couple of folks (the mayor's daughter and her lover among them) who try to prevent the children from joining the pied piper, find themselves in some kind of magical place with many doors. But which one leads back home? When they finally choose one, they end up in a number of adventures with ghosts, gnomes, giants, witches, fairies and the like, all trying hard to help them from returning home. The ugly guys of course try to prevent them from finding that road.

The costumes, the characters, the stories, the decor and even so the simple special effects alone make you never want to wake up from dreaming. But there is also the magic of all the music and songs specially written for this serie. I am 42 writing this, and when I watched this I was around age 10, but the magic still lives on. GREAT export product!!! Should do well after all the special effects hits of the LOTR series!