Van der Valk

Years ago, when there were excellent TV channels, they used to make 60 minute episodes ... And Van Der Valk was one of the best made by Thames Television. It was filmed in Holland, and I mean even the interiors ! So a considerable expense was involved with crews, actors etc unlike cheap sets of today's. Excellent acting, script, theme music and plots ... what more can one ask for !

I first saw it when I visited Britain in 1977. I was intrigued by the anomaly (to me) of a British TV show about a Dutch police detective. I enjoyed it and continued to watch it every time I visited Britain, which was often as I had gotten a job requiring it. Some of the actors spoke with British accents while others spoke with Dutch accents, but that was no big deal. After all, aren't we the country that gave the world Robin Hood with an American accent? The only thing that really bothered me was that it apparently never got on American TV, at least not that I knew. It would be great if BBC America were to broadcast the reruns. Barry Foster was a great actor, perfectly cast. I suppose it didn't make it "across the pond" because he used brains instead of brawn and guns, and we already had Lt. Columbo.

I watched this on TV tiny screen at home in the seventies. FOSTER was made for the Character, great captivating stories, the old cars and flared trousers and of course a pint, a whole corona cigar, herrings and almost everybody smoked, camel ot Marlbara. My favourite was with Patrick Allen in death on the beach. Van de valk just couldn't pin his missing wife's death at sea was committed by him. His g/f lover the late. Joanna Dunham gave a good performance in this. Excellent series I have on a 12 disc set. Mines a Heineken and some nice fresh Herrings please!! 👍👍

I am a keen admirer of the creativity, old world charm and classical things relating to those countries between Germany and France: Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Belgium. ''Van der Valk'' caught the zeitgeist in the jaded '70s with its depictions of Amsterdam's urban settings. The bars, pubs and clubs and transport network ca. 1972 are recorded well. Fair-haired, prudent, rational and witty actor: Barry Foster - a man of the East Midlands is very good. Good to see talented English actors such as Ian Hendry, John Stride and David Wood involved. The stirring theme tune ''Eye Level'' played by The Simon Park Orchestra was a major hit on the international pop charts in 1973. Well done to the Talking Movies channel for airing this series again.

I am really enjoying the 1972-1992 episodes on Talking Pictures, Freeview channel 81, Friday nights, 9-10pm. UK Very nostalgic to enjoy Barry Foster as the lead Comisaris in these original episodes. Have enjoyed each one. I rate them with full marks. No recent remaking of V d V with other actors can compare to Barry ... so I have turned the TV over.