French Fancies
Best of British|November 2024
Alain Carraze explains how cult British shows are perceived as the best on television in France
French Fancies

Friendly Yours, Bowler Hat and Leather Boots, Alert in Space, and Iron Grip and Seduction... You don't know any of these television series? Never heard of them? They are famous in France, cult TV shows regularly repeated on cable TV stations. Well, you must know them with their original titles: The Persuaders!, The Avengers, UFO, and The Protectors respectively.

For decades, British TV shows fought a battle to capture the love of French viewers. Their most powerful opponents were American TV shows (western and cop dramas), the challengers being local French fare, ie historical programmes. But they won the battle, with some casualties.

They won because they were creative, quirky, uncanny and unexpected.

For years, British TV shows were, in France, the epitome of quality television: innovative and creative. The highest accolade goes to The Prisoner, the symbol of TV as an art form.

The first wave of successful British shows that got a rousing success in France were the medieval action-adventure half-hours: Ivanhoe made Sir Roger Moore a star as early as 1959, followed by The Adventures of Sir Lancelot and The Adventures of William Tell. Many of them, such as Sir Francis Drake, Richard the Lionheart or Richard Greene's The Adventures of Robin Hood, were moderate hits but all these titles were so numerous that they ignited a protective reaction from the French government, asking RTF (RadiodiffusionTélévision Française, French public television) to create some programmes of its own: Thierry La Fronde, a Robin Hood clone, and Bayard, the French knight, an unsuccessful answer to Ivanhoe.

Esta historia es de la edición November 2024 de Best of British.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November 2024 de Best of British.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE BEST OF BRITISHVer todo
Animal Magic
Best of British

Animal Magic

Hilary Middleton recalls a children's author whose tales are still enjoyed today

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2024
BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER
Best of British

BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER

BoB's very own Time Lord prepares for an alternative to panto, recalls his early reading choices and having his scenes cut from two cutting edge comedies

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
Marvels in Miniature
Best of British

Marvels in Miniature

Claire Saul learns about the exquisite works on display at a new exhibition being held at a historic Georgian mansion

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 2024
The Last Post
Best of British

The Last Post

Michael Foley witnessed the end of an era

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
The Box of Delights
Best of British

The Box of Delights

Chris Hallam remembers how his Christmas 40 years ago was lit up by a magical television drama

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2024
The Queen of Stage and Screen
Best of British

The Queen of Stage and Screen

Chris Hallam pays tribute to actress Dame Maggie Smith

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2024
Other 07
Best of British

Other 07

Jonathan Sothcott looks at the seven Sir Roger Moore films that you should have in your collection

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 2024
In the Best Possible Taste
Best of British

In the Best Possible Taste

Derek Lamb remembers the wireless wizardry of Kenny Everett

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 2024
POSTCARD FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Best of British

POSTCARD FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Bob Barton remembers a ghostly train journey, enjoys some wassailing and fulfils a long-held ambition of attending a lawnmower festival

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2024
MERCY MISSION
Best of British

MERCY MISSION

John Greeves recounts the remarkable exploits of Sunderland flying boat T9114

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2024