The Belvision Tintin DVDs primarily feature The Calculus Affair
(1964), often released as a standalone remastered feature film or as part of specialized box sets. While the original 1957–1964 TV series consisted of 104 five-minute episodes, most of these remained exclusive to VHS; only a handful of stories were edited into feature-length formats for DVD release. Key DVD Features & Contents
Feature-Length Adaptations: The primary Belvision content available on DVD includes: The Calculus Affair
: Often presented as a single 60-minute film rather than its original episodic format. Prisoners of the Sun (1969) and Tintin and the Lake of Sharks (1972) : These are often bundled with The Calculus Affair in "Animated Feature Films" collections. Special Collections: A 3-disc UK Import box set includes The Calculus Affair , Prisoners of the Sun , and Mystery of Shark Lake
In Australia and New Zealand, a rare 6-disc set by Madman Entertainment includes the episodic series with character profiles and comic book background info. Technical Specifications:
Remastered Visuals: Modern releases like the one from Citel Vidéo feature remastered video and audio.
Language Options: Most DVDs include English and French audio tracks, though subtitles vary by region (some UK editions lack them).
Interactive Menus: Standard features typically include scene access and simple interactive menus. Comparison with 1991 Series
It is important to distinguish these from the more common 1991 Ellipse-Nelvana series DVDs. The Belvision versions feature a more primitive "limited animation" style and frequently deviate significantly from the original book plots.
The Tintin Belvision DVDs primarily feature the first-ever animated adaptations of Hergé’s works, produced by the Belgian studio Belvision between 1957 and 1964. These releases are distinct from the more famous 1990s Nelvana series and are often sought by collectors as a "blast from the past" despite being less faithful to the original books. Available DVD Releases
Finding these specific versions on DVD can be tricky as they have not seen a unified, worldwide release. Most modern DVD sets focus on the 1991 series, but Belvision content is available in a few formats:
The Animated Feature Films of Tintin (UK/Region 2): This is one of the most common ways to find Belvision work on DVD. It typically includes three feature-length films: The Calculus Affair (1964), Tintin and the Temple of the Sun (1969), and Tintin and the Lake of Sharks (1972). You can find these at retailers like Amazon UK.
Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin (TV Series): The original 1950s/60s series was released on DVD in France by Citel Vidéo in 2008 as a remastered box set.
Single-Disc Releases: Certain episodes, such as The Calculus Affair, were occasionally released as standalone feature films on DVD in the early 2000s. Key Characteristics
The Ultimate Collector's Guide to Tintin Belvision DVDs For fans of Hergé’s legendary boy reporter, the quest for the perfect home media collection often leads to a fork in the road: the modern, polished 1991 Ellipse-Nelvana series or the vintage, surreal charm of the Belvision era. If you are searching for Tintin Belvision DVDs, you are looking for a unique piece of animation history that predates the more famous 90s show by over three decades. What is the Belvision Tintin Series?
Produced between 1957 and 1964 by the Belgian animation studio Belvision, this series—titled Hergé's Adventures of Tintin—marked the character's first major foray into television. Unlike the later adaptations, these episodes were originally broadcast as five-minute segments, designed to be aired daily.
Collectors value Belvision DVDs for several distinct reasons:
Vintage Aesthetic: The animation style is reminiscent of early mid-century cartoons like The Flintstones, offering a nostalgic, "retro" vibe.
Liberal Adaptations: The scripts often took massive liberties with the original books. For instance, characters like Captain Haddock or Professor Calculus appear in stories where they were originally absent in the source material.
The "Shouting" Intro: The series is famous for its energetic opening theme, where the announcer shouts "HERGÉ'S ADVENTURES OF TINTIN!". Key Belvision DVD Releases tintin belvision dvd
Finding these specific versions on DVD can be tricky, as many modern box sets focus on the 1991 series. To find the true Belvision originals, look for these specific releases: 1. The Compilation Movies
Most Belvision TV episodes were later edited together into feature-length formats for home video. You can frequently find these on DVD:
The Calculus Affair (1964): Often treated as a standalone feature film, this was the final part of the TV series and is the most common Belvision DVD available.
Objective Moon / Explorers on the Moon: These space-themed episodes are often bundled as a single 80-minute feature.
The Crab with the Golden Claws / The Secret of the Unicorn / Red Rackham's Treasure: These classic adventures are also available in compiled DVD formats. 2. Standalone Theatrical Features
Belvision also produced two high-budget theatrical films with significantly better animation quality than the TV series. These are widely available on DVD and often included in "Complete Movie" collections: Tintin and the Temple of the Sun (1969) Tintin and the Lake of Sharks (1972) Where to Buy and What to Look For
Because the Belvision series has not seen a massive, unified global remaster like the 90s version, collectors often have to hunt for specific regional releases:
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 The Belvision Tintin DVDs primarily feature The Calculus
| Feature | Belvision DVD | Nelvana (1991–92) DVD | Motion Capture (2011) Blu-ray | |---------|---------------|------------------------|-------------------------------| | Animation quality | Limited, vintage | Fluid, TV-budget | High-budget CGI | | Story accuracy | High (dialogue) | Medium (adapted) | Medium (cinematic changes) | | Age rating | All ages | All ages | PG | | Restoration | None | Moderate | Full digital | | Availability | Out of print (most regions) | Widely available | Widely available |
Because Moulinsart has historically been reluctant to re-issue these films globally (often citing the low quality compared to Hergé’s vision), the market has been flooded with unofficial "fan-made" DVDs. These are often DVD-Rs with poorly printed covers scanned from VHS sources. A genuine Tintin Belvision DVD will feature the original Belvision logo, French language packaging, and specific studio catalog numbers (such as TF1 Vidéo or StudioCanal releases).
When searching for a Tintin Belvision DVD, you must understand the two formats of this material.
The key difference between the Belvision adaptation and Hergé’s canon is tonal chaos. In one scene, Tintin is a serious detective; in the next, he is sliding down a banister with cartoon sound effects. Captain Haddock is voiced with a manic energy that makes Spielberg’s version look like a documentary. It is anarchic, surreal, and utterly fascinating.
If you are starting a collection, here are the three most desirable discs (or box sets) you need to look for:
If you are a casual fan of the The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn movie, the Belvision DVDs might feel jarring. The animation is limited (repetitive walks, lip flaps that don't sync), the stories deviate wildly from the books, and the character designs can be rough.
However, if you are a collector, a film historian, or a fan of animation history, tracking down the Tintin Belvision DVD is a quest worthy of Tintin himself. It is a window into a world where the rules of Hergé’s meticulous art were broken, where Tintin had a thinner neck and Captain Haddock had wilder eyes.
Check your local used media stores, set alerts on eBay France (eBay.fr), and be prepared to buy a multi-region DVD player. The Belvision Tintin is a strange, wonderful, and almost forgotten ghost in the Tintin canon—and for those willing to search, the DVD remains the only key to that past.
Happy hunting, and as Captain Haddock would say: "Mille millions de mille sabords!" (Blistering barnacles!)
The Belvision Tintin DVD collections, such as the Animated Feature Films of Tintin, offer a nostalgic but technically dated look at Hergé's classic characters. Produced primarily in the 1960s and 70s, these adaptations are often viewed as "charming" curiosities rather than definitive versions. Key Highlights
Art Style and "Charm": The Belvision animation is often described as crude or "average," with stiff movements and limited detail. However, for many fans, this creates a strange, nostalgic charm that sets it apart from more polished modern versions.
Original Music: One of the strongest features is the musical score, particularly by François Raubier, which many reviewers find exceptional and a major highlight of the experience.
Voice Acting: Feedback on the English voice acting is mixed. While some fans prefer the Belvision Thompson Twins' voices over later versions, others find the overall cast to be a "simplified" version of Hergé’s complex characters. The Three Featured Films
Common DVD box sets typically include three distinct films with varying levels of quality: The Temple of the Sun
: Widely considered the best adaptation in the set and a standout for the studio. The Calculus Affair : Viewed as moderately entertaining but flawed. Tintin and the Lake of Sharks
: Frequently cited as the "worst" of the three, criticized for an improbable plot and poor voice casting. Technical Quality and Features
Visual Presentation: Expect images that are occasionally "muddy and muted" compared to modern standards. Some releases may suffer from videotape dropouts or audio sync issues, though newer box sets have attempted to fix these.
Special Features: These DVDs are generally "bare-bones," often lacking bonus features or subtitles.
Language Options: Most versions include a choice of English, French, and sometimes Spanish audio. Comparison: Belvision vs. Nelvana The Theatrical Features (The "Red Box" Era): Belvision
If you are looking for accuracy to the original comic books, most fans recommend the 1990s Ellipse-Nelvana series over the Belvision adaptations. The Nelvana version is praised for its "spot-on" look and feel and more faithful narrative structures. The Animated Feature Films of Tintin - Amazon UK
The Belvision Tintin DVDs represent a fascinating, albeit flawed, piece of animation history for fans of Hergé’s legendary reporter. Long before the definitive 1990s animated series by Ellipse-Nelvana
became the global standard, the Belgian studio Belvision pioneered the first television adaptations of Tintin in the late 1950s and 1960s. 📺 What is the "Belvision" Tintin?
Produced by Raymond Leblanc's Belvision studios in Brussels, this collection consists of two distinct types of animated media that have made their way onto various DVD releases: Question about Tintin and Belvision - Facebook
The Tintin Belvision DVDs offer a glimpse into the first major animated adaptation of Hergé’s famous reporter, produced between 1957 and 1964. While largely overshadowed today by the more faithful 1991 Nelvana series, the Belvision era is a nostalgic "time capsule" for collectors, though tracking down a complete set on DVD is notoriously difficult due to their fragmented release history. The DVD Dilemma: Rarity and Format
Finding these cartoons on DVD is challenging because no definitive "Complete Belvision Collection" exists in English.
Feature Film vs. Series: While the original show consisted of over 100 short episodes (approx. 5 minutes each), most DVD releases presented them reedited into feature-length movies.
The Calculus Case (L'Affaire Tournesol): This is the most common Belvision title found on DVD. It was released in the early 2000s in the UK and later remastered in France as part of an Animated Feature Films box set.
Fragmented Releases: Other stories like The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham’s Treasure often appear as single-film DVDs or were primarily released on VHS, making high-quality digital versions rare.
Language Tracks: European releases (Region 2) typically feature the original French audio, while North American versions may use a US dub produced by Larry Harmon. Content and Style: "Sacrilegious" but Charming
For those used to the books, the Belvision cartoons can be a shock. They prioritize action and slapstick over Hergé’s precise pacing.
Major Deviations: The scripts often blend multiple storylines or insert characters where they didn't originally appear. For example, Captain Haddock and Professor Calculus show up in early adventures where they were absent in the books.
Animation Techniques: The earliest 1957 episodes (like The Broken Ear) were semi-animated in black and white. Later productions moved to "full animation" in color, though the movements remain stiff and "two-dimensional" by modern standards.
The Feature Films: Belvision also produced two standalone, better-animated theatrical movies that are widely available on DVD: Tintin and the Temple of the Sun (1969) and Tintin and the Lake of Sharks (1972). Video and Audio Quality
Reviews of existing DVD transfers are mixed, reflecting the age and "lost" nature of some episodes.
Yes, but with caveats.
Do not buy the Tintin Belvision DVD expecting a faithful adaptation of The Secret of the Unicorn. Do not buy it if you dislike pixelation or 12-frames-per-second animation. Do not buy it if you require English subtitles.
Do buy it if you are a serious animation historian. Do buy it if you want to see Hergé’s "clear line" melted down and recast as energetic, messy, 1960s Saturday morning television.