Various distributors have handled the DVD rights over the years, most notably Universal Pictures UK and Moulinsart (the official Hergé foundation).
Studio: Belvision (Belgium) Original Air Date: 1957–1964 Format: Traditional 2D Animation
Belvision, under the direction of Raymond Leblanc, produced two distinct types of content that are now compiled on DVD:
This Japanese-French co-production (often confused with the later film) is a psychedelic fever dream of a movie. It is the hardest Belvision title to find on legitimate DVD. It was released briefly in 2006 by Nippon Columbia in Japan and Les Films du Paradoxe in France.
The Tintin Belvision DVDs: A Collector's Perspective
Introduction
The Tintin franchise, created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé, has been a beloved and iconic part of popular culture for over eight decades. In the 1960s, the series was adapted into animated television series, with one of the most notable being the Belvision-produced series. This paper provides an overview of the Tintin Belvision DVDs, their history, significance, and appeal to collectors.
History of Belvision
Belvision was a Belgian animation studio that produced several animated series based on popular comics, including Tintin. The studio was founded in 1955 by Greg, a renowned animator and friend of Hergé. Between 1961 and 1963, Belvision produced a series of 52 animated episodes based on Tintin's adventures, which were broadcast in Europe and beyond.
The DVDs
In the early 2000s, the Tintin Belvision DVDs were released, featuring the classic animated series. The DVDs were produced by several companies, including Entertainment One, MVM, and others. The releases consisted of multiple volumes, each containing several episodes.
Significance and Appeal
The Tintin Belvision DVDs hold significant nostalgic value for those who grew up watching the series. The DVDs offer a unique opportunity for fans to relive their childhood memories and share them with new generations. Collectors are drawn to the DVDs for several reasons:
Collector's Guide
For collectors seeking to acquire the Tintin Belvision DVDs, here are some tips:
Conclusion
The Tintin Belvision DVDs are a treasured part of animation history, offering a nostalgic and entertaining experience for fans. As a collector's item, they hold significant value due to their rarity, nostalgic appeal, and restored quality. This paper provides an overview of the Tintin Belvision DVDs, their history, and significance, serving as a valuable resource for collectors and enthusiasts.
References
Appendix
List of Tintin Belvision DVDs
DVD Specifications
By compiling this information, collectors and enthusiasts can gain a deeper understanding of the Tintin Belvision DVDs and their significance in the world of animation.
For collectors and animation enthusiasts, the Tintin Belvision DVD represents a unique piece of comic book history. Before the polished 1990s Nelvana series became the definitive television adaptation, Belvision Studios brought Hergé’s world to life in the late 1950s and 60s with a distinct, vintage charm.
Whether you are looking for the original TV serials or the standalone feature films, here is everything you need to know about the Belvision era on DVD. 1. The Original Belvision TV Series (1957–1964)
Known as Hergé's Adventures of Tintin, this was the first animated television series based on the books. It was produced in a serialized format, with stories broken down into 5-minute episodes.
Animation Style: The series used "limited animation" typical of the era, which can feel dated compared to modern standards but captures a nostalgic, mid-century aesthetic.
DVD Availability: Finding the complete TV series on DVD can be a challenge. While separate box sets have been released in regions like Brazil and France, English-language versions of the TV serials are often found on specialty sites like the Tintin Shop or through second-hand retailers. Key Adapted Stories: The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham’s Treasure The Crab with the Golden Claws Objective Moon
The Calculus Affair (often edited into a movie format for DVD) 2. The Belvision Feature Films
For many fans, the "Tintin Belvision DVD" search usually leads to the three feature-length films. These are widely available on DVD and offer higher production values than the TV shorts.
Tintin and the Temple of the Sun (1969): A cinematic adaptation combining The Seven Crystal Balls and Prisoners of the Sun.
Tintin and the Lake of Sharks (1972): An original story not based on an existing book, written by Greg (creator of Achille Talon). tintin belvision dvd
The Calculus Affair (1964): Initially part of the TV series, this was re-edited into a feature-length film for many DVD releases. 3. Buying Guide: Belvision vs. Nelvana
It is important to distinguish Belvision DVDs from the more common Nelvana (1991) series. The Animated Feature Films of Tintin - Amazon UK
Table_title: Product Information Table_content: header: | Number of discs | 3 | row: | Number of discs: Media Format | 3: PAL | www.amazon.co.uk
The Belvision Tintin DVD Collection: A Historical Overview Introduction The Belvision animated series, titled Hergé's Adventures of Tintin
(Les Aventures de Tintin, d'après Hergé), was the first major television adaptation of the world-famous comics created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Produced between 1957 and 1964 by Belvision Studios, the series is distinct for its limited "semi-animated" style and its use of five-minute serial episodes. Animation and Series Structure
Unlike the more widely known 1990s series by Ellipse-Nelvana, the Belvision version was created earlier and took significant liberties with the original source material.
Format: 103 episodes were produced, with most being approximately five minutes long.
Visuals: Early episodes were produced in black and white, while later seasons transitioned to color. Episodes Adapted: Objective Moon The Crab with the Golden Claws The Secret of the Unicorn Red Rackham's Treasure The Shooting Star The Black Island
The Calculus Case (often treated as a separate feature film). DVD Availability and Releases
Finding the original Belvision series on DVD can be challenging, as it was often overshadowed by later adaptations and was primarily available as reedited feature-length films on VHS in the 1980s. Key DVD Releases:
The Feature Films: Stand-alone Belvision movies such as Tintin and the Temple of the Sun (1969) and Tintin and the Lake of Sharks (1972) have seen more consistent DVD releases than the original TV serials.
The Calculus Affair: Originally intended as a movie, it was released on DVD by Citel Vidéo in France (2008) and was available in the UK in the early 2000s.
Compilation Sets: Some regions have seen compilation DVDs under labels like Bergvík, featuring titles such as The Shooting Star and Destination Moon, though these are often the reedited feature-length versions rather than the original five-minute serials.
Where to Buy: Used copies can occasionally be found on platforms like eBay or specialty listings on Amazon. Collecting and Legacy
Collectors often seek the Belvision versions for their nostalgia and unique mid-century animation style. While the original serial format is rare on modern digital media, some fans have turned to archival sites or YouTube to find full episodes. The essentials about Tintin and Hergé Various distributors have handled the DVD rights over
While the 1990s Nelvana series is what most fans know, the Belvision Tintin
era (1957–1964) is a fascinating piece of animation history that offers a vastly different, more experimental take on Hergé's world. The Belvision Era (1957–1964)
Produced by the Belgian studio Belvision, this was the first major animated adaptation of Tintin. Unlike later versions, these were originally short, five-minute episodes meant for television. Adaptation Style
: These early cartoons took significant "liberties" with Hergé’s plots, often adding new scenes or dialogue that wasn't in the original books.
: The style is more "limited" than modern standards, reflecting the budget and television technology of the 1950s. Key Stories Adapted : Eight major stories were covered, including The Secret of the Unicorn Red Rackham's Treasure Destination Moon Finding Belvision DVDs
Belvision's releases are much rarer than the common Nelvana sets, often making them a "collector's item" for die-hard fans. The Calculus Affair
: Often considered the "crown jewel" of the Belvision era, it was released on DVD in France in 2008 as a remastered edition from Citel Vidéo Movie Collections : You can sometimes find Belvision's feature films, like Tintin and the Temple of the Sun (1969) and Tintin and the Lake of Sharks
(1972), in various "Animated Feature Films" sets on sites like Compilations
: Some versions of the 1950s episodes were compiled into longer films for VHS and later DVD, though tracking down the original English-dubbed versions used by the BBC in the '60s and '70s can be difficult due to complex licensing rights. Belvision vs. Nelvana: Which is for You?
Tintin Belvision DVDs offer a look at the very first major animated adaptation of Hergé's famous reporter, produced by the Belgian studio
between 1957 and 1964. While often overshadowed by the more modern Nelvana series from the 1990s, the Belvision era is prized by collectors for its unique "semi-animated" style and vintage charm. Overview of the Belvision Era
Unlike later adaptations, the Belvision series was originally created as short, 5-minute cliffhanger episodes designed for television. These were later re-edited into feature-length formats for home video releases. Animation Style
: Known as "semi-animation," it used many still images from the books with limited character movement, a style that some felt lacked the liveliness of the original comics. Adaptation Differences
: Hergé himself was reportedly not a fan of this version because it strayed significantly from his original plotlines to be more "kid-oriented". Key Stories Included in DVD Sets Belvision adapted eight major Tintin stories: Objective Moon (combined with Explorers on the Moon) The Crab with the Golden Claws The Secret of the Unicorn Red Rackham's Treasure The Star of Mystery (The Shooting Star) The Black Island The Calculus Affair (L'Affaire Tournesol) DVD Availability & Formatting
Finding these specific versions on DVD can be tricky, as they are often out of print or part of specialized "Animated Feature Film" collections. The Calculus Affair (L'Affaire Tournesol) Collector's Guide For collectors seeking to acquire the
: Often sold as a standalone DVD or as part of a 3-disc "Animated Feature Films of Tintin" set, which may also include Tintin and the Lake of Sharks Tintin and the Temple of the Sun Remastered Editions : Some French-language DVDs, such as those from Citel Vidéo , were released in 2008 with remastered picture quality. English Versions
: UK and US releases are generally available in PAL or NTSC formats, often featuring the original English dubs used by the BBC in the 1960s. Belvision vs. Nelvana: Identifying the Right DVD When searching, it is easy to confuse Belvision with the Nelvana (Ellipse)