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
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:
series, officially titled Hergé's Adventures of Tintin , was the first animated adaptation of the famous comic books, produced between 1957 and 1964. Finding these episodes on DVD can be challenging because they are often outclassed or confused with the more common 1991 Nelvana series. Product Options & Availability
While a complete "Belvision series" box set is rare in English-speaking regions, you can find specific episodes and related feature films: The Calculus Affair (DVD)
: This specific Belvision episode was released as a standalone DVD in the UK in the early 2000s and re-released in 2011 as part of a Hachette collection. The Animated Feature Films of Tintin (3-Disc Set) : Often available on , this set typically includes the Belvision-produced movies Tintin and the Temple of the Sun (1969) and Tintin and the Lake of Sharks Individual VHS Rips
: Many fans resort to searching for older VHS editions or digital archives because many of the original 103 five-minute episodes have never received a formal, high-quality DVD release. Key Series Features tintin belvision dvd
If you are looking for this specific version, keep in mind it differs significantly from the books and the later 90s series: Unique Voice Cast
: The US dub features Dal McKennon as Tintin and Paul Frees as Captain Haddock. Story Changes
: These adaptations took creative liberties, such as Tintin living in New York instead of Brussels and the Thompson twins being depicted as actual brothers with identical moustaches. Visual Style
: Directed by Ray Goossens, the series used a simpler animation style compared to later versions but remains a nostalgic favorite for those who grew up with it in the 1960s. Included Adventures (Partial List)
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 BergvÃk, 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 Ultimate Collector's Guide to Tintin Belvision DVDs
Here’s a draft for product or editorial content regarding the Tintin Belvision DVD collection (referring to the 1950s-60s animated series produced by Belvision Studios, not the later 1990s or Spielberg versions).
The visual quality of the DVDs is inconsistent.
The Belvision Tintin DVDs preserve a fascinating artifact: the first serious attempt to animate Hergé’s world, blessed by the master himself. They’re wobbly, retro, and full of heart. If you see the Madman triple-feature DVD for a fair price, grab it – it’s the best these classic cartoons will ever look on standard definition.
Note: As of 2026, no official Blu-ray exists for Belvision Tintin. Digital streaming (Amazon/YouTube) offers the films but often in worse, cropped prints.
If you are starting a collection, here are the three most desirable discs (or box sets) you need to look for:
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
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. Restoration: These releases generally appear to be direct
Tintin and the Lake of Sharks (1972): An original story not based on an existing book, written by Greg (creator of Achille Talon).
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 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
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
Here are a few options for a text about the "Tintin Belvision DVDs," depending on what you need it for (a product description, a blog post, or a collector's guide).
| Region | Publisher | Notable Features | |--------|-----------|------------------| | France/Belgium | StudioCanal / Belvision Vidéo | Original French audio; some editions include interviews with animators | | UK | Clear Vision Ltd. (early 2000s) | English dubbing by British actors; budget packaging | | Australia | MRA Entertainment (2004) | English & French audio; region 4 | | Japan | Columbia Music Entertainment (2005) | Japanese dub; high-quality packaging | | Canada | Imavision (2006) | Bilingual (French/English); some releases include episode selection |