In the 1970s on British TV there was a series called "Van der Valk" which followed a Dutch policeman from week to week. The show was made in English and I understand that the actors were all English too. However, it was shot in Amsterdam.
The interesting thing about this video, which shows the opening credits, is that having been shot in the early 1970s, it shows a different Amsterdam to that which you'll see in the present day. There are fewer bikes, and lots of cars. Dutch cities just don't look like this any more.
See also some before and after photos of Assen in the 1970s vs. now.
The director probably edited the bikes out, as being too unrealistic ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi H@rry, You may be right. Even with the few bikes in the video it's a bit unrealistic for Britain.
ReplyDeleteWas the programme ever shown on Dutch TV ? I suppose it could well have been - complete with Dutch subtitles.
I know the actor playing the inspector, but I can't remember this particular serie being aired in the Netherlands. Wikipedia says it was only broadcasted in Britain. In fact when I saw your title, I could only think of the chain of hotels: "van der Valk"
ReplyDeleteHaha! I´ve never heard of it, I must say. I asked my parents, and neither have they. Maybe the Dutch broadcasters thought it too fantastical? :D
ReplyDeleteI think it has to do with the fact that most 70s shows in the Netherlands were either made here or brought in from the US. But I'm no expert, so don't qoute me on anything...
I remember the theme music which went to No 1 in the UK charts. It was called Eye Level and performed by the Simon Park orchestra, but based on a Dutch nursery rhyme. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_Level
ReplyDeleteAnyone who watched Van der Valk loved the theme tune! Takes me back...