Babar (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Babar |
|
|---|---|
Babar title card
|
|
| Genre | Dramedy Adventure Fantasy |
| Created by | Jean de Brunhoff |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Theme music composer | Milan Kymlicka |
| Composer(s) | Milan Kymlicka |
| Country of origin | Canada France |
| Original language(s) | English French |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 65 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) |
|
| Running time | 23 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
|
| Distributor | Nelvana International |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBC (seasons 1–3) Global TV (seasons 4–5) |
| Picture format | NTSC (480i) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | April 2, 1989 – June 5, 1991 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Babar and the Adventures of Badou (2010–2015) |
Babar is a beloved animated TV show from Canada and France. It first aired in 1989 on CBC and HBO. Later, it was shown on Qubo starting in 2006. The series is based on the classic Babar books by Jean de Brunhoff. This show was the first big international project for the animation company Nelvana. It has been shown in over 150 countries and translated into 30 languages!
Before this TV series, there were two Babar TV specials narrated by Peter Ustinov. These aired in 1968 and 1971. Years later, in 2010, a new computer-animated show called Babar and the Adventures of Badou was launched. This newer series takes place after the original. It focuses on Babar's grandson, Badou, and other new characters.
Contents
The Story of Babar's Adventures
The Babar TV series is based on the books by Jean de Brunhoff and Laurent de Brunhoff. The first two seasons tell Babar's life story through his own memories.
Babar's Early Life
When Babar was young, he sadly lost his mother because of a hunter. This made him leave his forest home and go to the city. There, a kind Old Lady took him in. She taught him about city life and how humans live. Even though he missed her, Babar decided to return to his forest. He wanted to share his new ideas for progress with his elephant friends.
Becoming King and Building Celesteville
After the old elephant king passed away from eating poisonous mushrooms, Babar came up with a plan. He helped to make the hunter and his men leave the forest for good. Because of his bravery, Babar was crowned king of the elephants. He then planned and built a beautiful city called Celesteville. Babar grew up to be a father himself, leading his kingdom wisely.
Life in Celesteville Today
While the first two seasons show Babar's childhood and early days as king, the show changes focus in the third season. It starts to show Babar's family life in the present day. You'll see his adventures with his wife, Celeste, and their children.
Meet the Characters
The show features many interesting characters, both from Babar's family and his royal court.
Babar's Family and Friends
- Babar: He is the wise King of Celesteville. He brought his love for city ideas back to the forest. He built the happy kingdom of Celesteville. Babar is very protective of his family and all the animals in his kingdom.
- Celeste: Babar's wife and the Queen of Celesteville. She has also traveled the world and had many exciting adventures. She is graceful and has a gentle sense of humor.
- Arthur: Babar's brother-in-law. He loves to play jokes and often gets himself and the children into funny situations. In the show, he is Celeste's brother and the children's uncle.
- Pom: The oldest of Babar and Celeste's children. He is the leader of the kids and looks out for his brother and sisters.
- Flora: She is fun-loving and has a strong will.
- Alexander: The smallest of the children. He is full of energy and often causes funny commotion without meaning to.
- Isabelle: The youngest of the four children. She starts as a baby in the series and grows into a toddler.
- Babar's Mother: She is an unnamed elephant who gave birth to Babar. After she was lost to a hunter, Babar was adopted by Madame. She is the grandmother to Pom, Alexander, Flora, and Isabelle.
- Madame (The Old Lady): A kind human who adopted Babar when he ran away from the hunter. She taught him about city life. Babar built her a home in Celesteville, where she now lives with her elephant friends.
- Zephir: A monkey and one of Babar's oldest and closest friends. He is like family. Zephir is often the first to join Arthur and the kids on wild adventures. Babar trusts him to keep the children safe.
- Cornelius: The oldest and wisest elephant in Celesteville. He is Babar's main advisor and takes his job very seriously. He often says, "My tusks!"
- Pompadour: Another of Babar's advisors. He is in charge of finances and royal rules. He is a bit high-strung and doesn't like new, radical ideas.
- Troubadour: Pompadour's assistant. He is a smaller elephant who doesn't speak but is very helpful to Babar's family.
- Chef Truffles: The palace cook. He often gets upset about food preparations. He speaks with a French accent.
Rataxes' Family
- Lord Rataxes: The king of Rhinoland. He is often shown as rude, selfish, and not very good at being a leader. He is usually the main "bad guy" in the TV series. Rataxes often dreams of taking over the jungle or the elephant kingdom. However, his plans usually fail or are easily stopped by Babar and the elephants. He is often jealous of Babar's popularity.
- Lady Rataxes: Rataxes' wife. She is much calmer than her husband and is friendly with Babar and Celeste. Her real name is Louise.
- Victor: Rataxes' son. He is good friends with Flora, Alexander, and Pom, even though their fathers are rivals.
- Basil: Rataxes' main advisor. He is very smart, organized, and capable. Like Lady Rataxes and Victor, he is friendly with the elephants. He handles most of the paperwork and security for the rhino palace.
Other Villains
- The Hunter: He was the main bad guy in the first few episodes. He was shown as a mean human who only cared about making money from animals. He had a special dislike for Babar. Babar and his friends eventually defeated him and his plans.
- Mademoiselle Soretoza: An ostrich ballerina who appeared in "The Show Must Go On." She was exiled from Celesteville after causing trouble during a play.
- The two lackey cheetahs: These two cheetahs appeared in "Tour De Celesteville." They tried to cheat in a race but were defeated by Arthur and Basil.
Voice Cast
Here are some of the actors who gave voices to the characters:
- Gordon Pinsent as King Babar
- Dawn Greenhalgh as Queen Celeste
- Lea-Helen Weir as Flora (later seasons)
- Stuart Stone as Young Arthur / Alexander (later seasons)
- Lisa Yamanaka as Flora (early seasons) / Isabelle
- Jeff Pustil as Zephir
- Paul Haddad as Uncle Arthur
- Stephen Ouimette as Pompadour
- Elizabeth Hanna as Madame
- Allen Stewart-Coates as Lord Rataxes
- Corrine Koslo as Lady Rataxes
- John Stocker as Basil
- Chris Wiggins as Cornelius
- Noah Godfrey as Victor (later seasons)
- Benjamin Barrett as Pom (later seasons)
- Gavin Magrath as Young Babar (early seasons)
- Tara Charendoff as Young Celeste (early seasons)
- Bobby Becken as Pom (early seasons)
- Amos Crawley as Alexander (early seasons)
- Dan Hennessey as Chef Truffles
Awards and Recognition
The Babar TV series won several awards for being a great animated show:
- In 1990, it won a 7 d'Or award for Best Youth Program in France.
- It won Gemini awards in Canada for Best Animated Program or Series in 1989, 1990, and 1992.
- It was also nominated for a Gemini award for its music.
Babar Films
There have been a few movies based on Babar:
Babar: The Movie
In 1989, a film called Babar: The Movie was released. It was followed by a sequel in 1999, titled Babar: King of the Elephants.
Babar and Father Christmas
The TV film Babar and Father Christmas was released in 1986. It won a Gemini award in 1987 for Best Animated Program or Series. This film first aired on HBO in the U.S. and CBC in Canada in December 1986. It also aired in the UK and Australia. The song "Christmas in Celesteville" was featured in this movie.
The 2000 Babar Series
| Babar (2000) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Animation Remake |
| Created by | see creator |
| Starring | Dan Lett Janet-Laine Green Kyle Fairlie Kristen Bone Noah Reid Philip Williams |
| Country of origin | Canada France Germany |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 13 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Patrick Loubert Michael Hirsh Clive A. Smith Dan Danko Tom K. Mason Clifford Ross |
| Producer(s) | Andrew Young |
| Running time | 23 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Nelvana Ellipsanime Kodansha The Clifford Ross Company |
| Distributor | Nelvana International |
| Release | |
| Original network | Teletoon (Canada), KiKa (Germany) |
| Original release | September 23 – December 16, 2000 |
A new version of the animated series came out in 2000. It was shown on Teletoon in Canada and KiKa in Germany. In this series, Babar and his family travel in a hot-air balloon to different "Lands of Adventure." These include places like the Land of Toys. None of the original voice actors returned for this new series. However, Dan Lett, who voiced Babar in this 2000 series, later voiced an older Pom in Babar and the Adventures of Badou.
