Asterix in Britain
| Company type | Comic book volume |
|---|---|
| Industry | Comics, Graphic novels |
| Founded | 1965 (serialized), 1966 (album) |
| Founder | René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo |
| Products | Comic book |
| Parent | Dargaud |
Asterix in Britain (original French title Astérix chez les Bretons) represents the eighth volume in the Asterix comic series, crafted by writer Rene Goscinny and artist Albert Uderzo. It was first serialized in 1965 within the pages of Pilote magazine before being released as a standalone comic album by Dargaud in 1966.
The storyline centers on Asterix and Obelix as they travel to Roman-occupied Britain to deliver a barrel containing a magical potion to a defiant Briton village. The plot is rich with numerous allusions and humorous takes on British traditions and culture.
Asterix in Britain has been transformed into an audiobook and adapted into two films: an animated version released in 1986 and a live-action adaptation titled Asterix and Obelix: God Save Britannia from 2012.
Plot summary
Following Rome's conquest of most of Britain, one village located in what is now Kent continues to resist. The village leader, Mykingdomforanos, dispatches his warrior relative Anticlimax to seek assistance from his cousin Asterix in Gaul, depending on the magic potion’s power. The druid Getafix provides a barrel of the potion, and Asterix along with Obelix volunteer to transport it. Additionally, Asterix collects some enigmatic herbs from Getafix.
While crossing the English Channel, they encounter a Roman warship. Obelix’s inadvertent remarks alert a Roman officer who informs governor Encyclopaedicus Britannicus. The Romans confiscate all beer barrels in Londinium, including the barrel containing the magic potion. Asterix, Obelix, and Anticlimax endeavor to recover it but face complications, such as Obelix accidentally becoming intoxicated and stealing barrels.
After Dipsomaniax’s tavern is wrecked and both he and Obelix are imprisoned in Londinium’s Tower, Obelix manages to free them. Their pursuit of the thief leads them to discover the potion barrel has been sold to a rugby team. They retrieve it during a match but are ambushed; the barrel breaks, spilling its contents into the Thames River.
Utilizing the herbs Asterix had taken earlier, he prepares an alternative concoction that boosts Briton spirits, empowering them to fend off Roman assaults. Mykingdomforanos requests additional herbs, proclaiming this new brew their national beverage. The Gauls return triumphant, with Getafix revealing that the herbs used are tea.
Characters
- Asterix – The Gaulish warrior and central hero.
- Obelix – Gaulish menhir delivery man, warrior, and Asterix’s close companion.
- Dogmatix – The faithful canine companion of Obelix.
- Getafix – The Gaulish druid responsible for brewing the magic potion.
- Vitalstatistix – Leader of the Gaulish village.
- Anticlimax – Briton warrior and Asterix’s cousin.
- Mykingdomforanos – Chief of the Briton village and Anticlimax’s leader; a caricature parodying British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Known as Zebigbos in French, a pun meaning "The big boss".
- Dipsomaniax – Tavern proprietor in Londinium.
- Encyclopaedicus Britannicus – Newly appointed governor of Britain following Roman conquest.
- Tullis Stratocumulus – Roman officer transferred from Britain to Gaul near Asterix's village.
- The Pirates – Under Captain Redbeard’s command, frequently unsuccessful against the Gauls.
Julius Caesar makes a brief appearance in the story’s backdrop. The Beatles appear as renowned Briton bards.
Cultural references
Asterix in Britain humorously portrays English stereotypes, with its creators Goscinny and Uderzo emphasizing that no offense was meant toward France’s historical rivals.
Notable allusions include:
- A rugby game featuring teams from Camulodunum (the ancient name for Colchester) clad in blue and white kits inspired by Colchester United FC, competing against a squad from "Durovernum," a nod to the Roman settlement that evolved into Canterbury.
- The character name Mykingdomforanos cleverly plays on Shakespeare’s line "my kingdom for a horse" from Richard III. The figure Encyclopaedicus Britannicus is a spoof of the Encyclopædia Britannica.
- In the original French edition, English phrases are translated word-for-word using French syntax; the English translation adopts exaggerated upper-class British speech patterns, exemplified by lines like "This is a jolly rum thing, eh, what?"
- Londinium draws inspiration from the authentic Roman city established in 47 AD, though it is creatively adapted to fit the comic’s narrative.
Adaptations
Asterix in Britain was transformed into two cinematic versions:
- The 1986 animated movie of the same title, produced by Dargaud and Gaumont, featured French voice actors Roger Carel and Pierre Tornade, while the English dub included Jack Beaber and Bill Kearns. Graham Bushnell voiced Anticlimax in both languages. This adaptation closely followed the comic’s storyline but introduced several modifications:
- Dogmatix was added to the adventure party.
- Julius Caesar’s presence was increased, and Stratocumulus was redesigned with an expanded role.
- Britannicus was substituted by a Roman general named Motus; Dipsomaniax became Gaullix, a Gaulish expatriate.
- A new antagonist named Totalapsus unsuccessfully chases the protagonists.
- The tea leaves are obtained from a Phoenician trader whom Obelix rescues.
- The 2012 live-action film Asterix and Obelix: God Save Britannia, produced by Fidélité Films and starring Édouard Baer alongside Gérard Depardieu, introduced changes such as replacing Mykingdomforanos with Queen Cordelia (a parody of Elizabeth II) and portraying Anticlimax’s tribe as Scottish warriors donning tartan kilts. It also incorporated elements from Asterix and the Normans, including the character Justforkix.
Moreover, an audiobook version was issued by EMI Records in 1987 under the Listen for Pleasure series, adapted by Anthea Bell and narrated by Willie Rushton.
In other languages
Beyond French and English, Asterix in Britain has been rendered into numerous languages such as Asturian, Bengali, Bosnian, Breton, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Galician, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Irish, Latin, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, and Welsh.