Belle and Sebastian (French TV series)

Belle and Sebastian
Genre Children
Created by Cécile Aubry
Starring Mehdi El Glaoui
Country of origin France
Original language(s) French
No. of seasons 4
Production
Running time 26 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel ORTF
Original run 26 September 1965 – 1968

Belle and Sebastian was a popular TV children's TV serial based on the novel Belle et Sébastien by Cécile Aubry.

Synopsis

It was about a young boy Sebastian and a Pyrenean mountain dog Belle set in the French Alps.

Production

It was filmed as a live action show in black-and-white in France under its original name in 1965. In 1967, it was dubbed and the title was anglicized and first appeared on British television's BBC1 on Monday afternoons, running from October 2, 1967 to January 1, 1968. Shown in the time slot after Blue Peter, it was repeated several times and became an important ingredient of school holiday television.[1] Filmed in and around the village of Belvédère in Alpes-Maritimes, its authentic locations, sensitive writing, and winning performances by the actors, makes it an enduring classic. Its deep theme is the power and importance of love. The part of Sebastian was played by Mehdi El Glaoui, Cécile Aubry's son from her marriage to a Moroccan man.[2] Mehdi also sings the final song, L'Oiseau.[3]

The serial spawned two further 13 part colour film sequels 'Sébastien parmi les hommes' (Sebastian Among Men) (1968) retitled 'Belle, Sebastian and the Horses' by the BBC and 'Sébastien et la Mary-Morgane' (Sebastian and the Mary Morgan) (1970) which was not broadcast by the BBC.

The Scottish indie pop band Belle & Sebastian took their name from the TV series.[4][5]

References

  1. Little Gems - Belle and Sebastien
  2. "Obituary: Cécile Aubry". Scotsman (Edinburgh). 2010-07-27. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  3. Belle And Sebastien | A Television Heaven Review
  4. Strong, Martin Charles (2004), The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track Recorded By More Than 1200 Artists, Canongate U.S., p. 122, ISBN 1-84195-615-5
  5. Wilson, Dave (2005), Rock Formations: Categorical Answers to How Band Names Were Formed, Cidermill Books, p. 105, ISBN 0-9748483-5-2

External links