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Babar (TV series)

From Alfawiki
Babar (animated series)
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryAnimation, Entertainment
Founded1989
FounderNelvana Limited, The Clifford Ross Company
Area served
Worldwide (aired in over 150 countries)
ProductsAnimated television series
ParentNelvana Limited, The Clifford Ross Company

Babar (, ; ) is an animated series jointly produced by the Canadian company Nelvana Limited and The Clifford Ross Company. It debuted in 1989 on Canada's CBC and Vrak channels, as well as on HBO in the United States. Adapted from Jean de Brunhoff's original Babar books, this show represents Nelvana's initial international collaborative production. The series has been translated into 30 languages and aired across more than 150 countries worldwide.

This television adaptation was the first to bring the Babar stories to the small screen; previously, two specials narrated by Peter Ustinov were created for NBC in 1968 and 1971.

In 2010, a computer-generated sequel and spin-off titled Babar and the Adventures of Badou launched on YTV in Canada and Disney Junior in the U.S., spotlighting Babar's grandson Badou alongside new characters.

Plot

Drawing from the works of Jean de Brunhoff and Laurent de Brunhoff, the initial two seasons explore Babar's early years as he shares his story with his children. After witnessing his mother's death at the hands of a hunter, young Babar escapes to the city, where a compassionate Old Lady takes him in and introduces him to human customs. Upon returning home following the demise of the former elephant king due to poisonous mushrooms, Babar expels the hunter, ascends to kingship, and establishes Celesteville. He matures into a devoted monarch and family man.

While the first seasons concentrate on Babar’s past experiences and early reign, the third season transitions to focus on his current family life. In season six, Babar, Celeste, their children (with Isabelle appearing selectively), and Zephir embark on hot air balloon journeys to various lands depicted on a magical map, addressing challenges encountered along their travels.

Babar's family

  • Babar serves as King of Celesteville. After fleeing his home following his mother's death caused by a hunter, he is adopted in Paris, learns urban ways, and returns to create a thriving kingdom. As a protective leader and avid traveler, Babar balances ruling with family responsibilities. Early seasons portray his childhood recollections; later ones highlight his present-day role.
  • Celeste is Babar's wife and Queen of Celesteville. His childhood love, she is courageous, intelligent, and adventurous. As queen, she blends regal dignity with warmth and humor.
  • Arthur is Celeste’s younger brother and Babar’s brother-in-law. Known for his playful pranks, he mainly appears in childhood flashbacks and occasionally as an adult. Although sources vary, within the series’ canon he is identified as Celeste’s brother.
  • Pom is the eldest offspring and heir to the throne. Protective yet spirited, he often leads his siblings on various adventures.
  • Flora is the second child and eldest daughter, noted for her intelligence and determination.
  • Alexander is the youngest son, recognized for his playful demeanor and innocence.
  • Isabelle is the youngest child who grows from infancy to toddlerhood during the series.
  • Babar's mother was killed by the Hunter in the opening episode ("Babar's First Step"), a defining moment that profoundly influences Babar’s character and leadership.

Babar's trusted companions and royal advisors

  • Madame (The Old Lady) is a human who took Babar in after he escaped the hunter responsible for his mother's death. She provided him shelter and introduced him to urban living. Although she missed him dearly, she accepted his decision to return to the wild. In gratitude, Babar constructed a residence for her in Celesteville, where she now lives among elephant friends. Details of her personal life remain scarce, but Babar once encountered her former partner, a reclusive organ player.
  • Zephir is a monkey and one of Babar’s lifelong friends, regarded as family. He frequently leads adventures alongside Arthur and the young ones, while also managing the neighborhood malt shop and reliably looking after the children.
  • Cornelius serves as Babar’s chief counselor and is counted among Celesteville’s most knowledgeable elephants. Present since Babar’s earliest days, he fulfills roles as advisor, confidant, and paternal figure. Though occasionally prone to napping during official duties, he remains astute and stands as Babar’s most trusted advisor on matters of diplomacy and governance.
  • Pompadour holds the positions of finance minister and royal protocol officer. Known for his high-strung nature, this elephant often resists drastic changes and upholds bureaucratic procedures.
  • Troubadour, Pompadour’s silent aide, is committed to assisting Babar’s family, particularly prominent in earlier storylines.
  • Chef Truffles, the palace’s head cook, is dedicated yet temperamental, embodying the classic traits of a French chef stereotype.
  • The Old King was the former monarch of the elephants who passed away due to poisonous mushrooms; he appears through flashbacks and visions.
  • Additional allies include King Tuttle the tortoise and his wife, a crocodile with a passion for music, as well as pirate crocodiles led by Captain Sanga, among others.

Rataxes' household

  • Lord Rataxes reigns over Rhinoland and serves as Babar’s primary rival in the television series. Characterized by rudeness and ambition for power, he aspires to conquer the jungle but his plans are usually foiled by elephants. His animosity largely arises from envy over Babar’s popularity and prosperous kingdom. While often opposing Babar, he occasionally cooperates when it suits Rhinoland's interests. Rataxes shows strong loyalty to his family and subjects, demonstrating effective leadership during emergencies.
  • Lady Rataxes, his wife, is more composed and sensible but sometimes instigates plots against the elephants driven by her desires. Her given name is Louise.
  • Victor, their son, maintains friendly relations with Babar’s children and admires his father despite recognizing his flaws.
  • Basil, chief advisor to Rataxes, efficiently oversees Rhinoland’s administration. Loyal yet practical, he manages governmental affairs, acts as Rataxes’ travel coordinator and intelligence gatherer, promotes healthful living, and occasionally offers subtle criticism of his employer.

Antagonists

  • The Hunter functions as the main villain throughout the first four episodes. Introduced in "Babar's First Steps," he pursues Babar’s herd and kills Babar’s mother. Wearing colonial African attire with a fu manchu moustache, he is portrayed as a merciless poacher motivated solely by profit. For Babar, he represents the ultimate enemy and haunts him in nightmares. In "Babar Returns," the Hunter captures all elephants using poachers and an SUV; however, Babar and his allies rescue them and force the Hunter off a cliff. He reappears in "Babar's Triumph" accompanied by more poachers, capturing Lord Rataxes and threatening Celesteville. The Hunter spreads crude oil to ignite a forest fire but animals band together to combat it until it reaches his camp, compelling him to flee amid the flames.
  • Mademoiselle Soretoza appears in "The Show Must Go On" as a temperamental ostrich ballerina who disparages Celesteville’s elephant ballet troupe. After refusing to perform further, she resigns and is succeeded by Celeste and Lord Rataxes.

Cast

Broadcast and home media

The show debuted in 1989 on CBC and Canal Famille in Canada, while airing on HBO in the United States. Seasons four and five premiered on Canada’s Family Channel, with subsequent English reruns broadcast on Global Television Network. From 2006 until its shutdown in 2021, Qubo featured reruns of the series. The program has been translated into 30 languages and has been shown in over 150 countries worldwide. Currently, it is accessible for streaming on platforms including Peacock, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, and Pluto TV.

DVD releases

Fremantle Home Entertainment issued three single-disc DVD sets in the UK (Region 2) on May 4, 2009. Later, in June 2012, Entertainment One released the entire first season on DVD for Region 1 audiences for the first time.

DVD Title Number of Episodes Release Date
Babar - The Classic Series: The Complete First Season 13 June 5, 2012

Critical response

David Knox from TV Tonight commended the series for addressing serious subjects such as death, highlighting how the pilot episode depicted Babar’s mother being killed by a hunter. ABC Australia carefully evaluated the content for suitability with its G-rated audience, emphasizing that the subtle portrayal of violence was essential to the narrative.

Charles Solomon of the Los Angeles Times lauded the animation for faithfully reflecting Jean de Brunhoff's watercolor artistry and praised Gordon Pinsent’s vocal performance as Babar. He observed that the series appeals to children aged between four and ten by combining charm with minimal moralizing or overly sentimental elements.

Common Sense Media awarded the show a rating of four out of five stars, recommending it for viewers aged four years and older. The review highlighted Babar as a commendable role model who encourages sharing and teamwork, complemented by captivating adventures and quality musical scores. It also noted that unlike many children’s programs where affluent characters are depicted negatively, Babar portrays wealth without selfishness.

Awards

The television series earned a 7 d'Or award for Best Youth Program in 1990. It also secured multiple Gemini Awards for Best Animated Program or Series in 1989, 1990, and 1992, honoring producers Patrick Loubert, Michael Hirsh, Clive A. Smith, and Lenora Hume. Additionally, it received a nomination for Best Original Music Score composed by Milan Kymlicka.

Babar: The Movie

In 1989, the American distributor New Line Cinema collaborated with Canadian firms Nelvana and Astral Films to create a movie adaptation of Babar. A follow-up film titled Babar: King of the Elephants was released in 1999, distributed in theaters by Alliance Films and made available on home video through HBO Home Video.

Babar and Father Christmas

The 1986 television special Babar and Father Christmas earned the 1987 Gemini Award for Best Animated Program or Series. It was broadcast on HBO in the United States, CBC in Canada, BBC in the United Kingdom, and ABC in Australia between 1986 and 1987. Produced in Canada, this film includes the song "Christmas in Celesteville," with music by Gary Morton and lyrics by Merilyn Read.

Revival series (2001)

A brief revival of the animated series occurred in 2001, airing on TVOntario's TVOKids, Knowledge Network, and France 3. This 13-episode series was co-produced by Nelvana Limited, Ellipseanime, and Kodansha. The storyline centers on Babar and his family embarking on adventures across various fantastical lands, such as the Land of Toys, via hot-air balloon. None of the original voice actors returned for this revival; however, Dan Lett later provided the voice for adult Pom in Babar and the Adventures of Badou.

Revival cast

  • Dan Lett as Babar
  • Janet-Laine Green as Celeste
  • Kyle Fairlie as Alexander
  • Kristen Bone as Flora
  • Noah Reid as Pom
  • Philip Williams as Zephir

Revival episodes

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See also

External links

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