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.
