Belvision Dvd — Tintin

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 Bootleg Epidemic

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).

2. Content Overview

The Belvision DVDs typically compile the original episodes into feature-length films or multi-episode discs. The most common DVD editions include:

| DVD Title | Episodes / Stories Included | Runtime (approx.) | |-----------|----------------------------|-------------------| | Tintin and the Temple of the Sun | Prisoners of the Sun, The Seven Crystal Balls | 80 min | | Tintin and the Mystery of the Golden Fleece | Original Belvision film (not based on a single album) | 75 min | | Tintin and the Blue Oranges | Original Belvision sequel film | 80 min | | The Calculus Case | The Calculus Affair | 50 min | | Tintin in Tibet | Tintin in Tibet | 45 min | | Tintin and the Picaros | Tintin and the Picaros | 50 min | | The Complete Belvision Collection (box set) | All 8–10 compiled stories | 600+ min |

Important note: Not all Hergé albums were adapted. Missing are Tintin in the Land of the Soviets, Tintin in the Congo, The Blue Lotus, The Broken Ear, The Black Island, King Ottokar’s Sceptre, The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Shooting Star, The Red Sea Sharks, Tintin in the Land of Black Gold, and Flight 714 to Sydney.

C. DVD Transfer Quality

The visual quality of the DVDs is inconsistent.

• Restoration: These releases generally appear to be direct transfers from film reels or tape masters. Viewers should expect scratches, grain, and color fading typical of 1960s stock.
• Contrast: Colors are often washed out compared to modern high-definition standards.

The Lost Treasure: A Collector’s Guide to the Tintin Belvision DVD

For decades, the global perception of The Adventures of Tintin has been shaped by two titans: the original comic albums by Hergé and the motion-capture epic by Steven Spielberg. Yet, nestled in the gap between the printed page and Hollywood’s 3D gloss lies a ghost—a strange, vibrant, and controversial interpretation of the young reporter. This is the world of Tintin Belvision.

For collectors and Francophone purists, securing a Tintin Belvision DVD is not merely about owning a cartoon; it is about preserving a museum piece of European animation history. But what exactly is the Belvision series? Why are the DVDs so difficult to find? And which edition should you hunt for?

In this deep-dive guide, we unpack everything you need to know about the infamous 1960s animated series and the elusive digital discs that keep it alive.

Conclusion: Is it Worth the Hunt?

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. tintin belvision dvd

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 proper official title for the first animated series produced by Belvision is Hergé's Adventures of Tintin (originally Les Aventures de Tintin, d'après Hergé

Finding the full 103-episode series on DVD is difficult because many episodes were only ever released on VHS or as edited feature films. The Tintin Belvision DVDs primarily feature the first-ever

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