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IMDbPro

Il était une fois... la vie

  • TV Series
  • 1987–1988
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
Il était une fois... la vie (1987)
AnimationFamily

The workings of the human body explained by animated characters.The workings of the human body explained by animated characters.The workings of the human body explained by animated characters.

  • Stars
    • Roger Carel
    • Marie-Laure Beneston
    • Alain Dorval
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.2/10
    5.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Roger Carel
      • Marie-Laure Beneston
      • Alain Dorval
    • 10User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Episodes26

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season

    Photos80

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    Top cast5

    Edit
    Roger Carel
    Roger Carel
    • Maestro
    • 1987–1988
    Marie-Laure Beneston
    • Psi
    • 1987–1988
    Alain Dorval
    • 1987–1988
    Gilles Laurent
    • 1987–1988
    Henry Djanik
    • 1987–1988
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews10

    8.25.8K
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    Featured reviews

    9PixEye

    The best animation TV series to explain biology to kids

    This animation TV series is simply the best way for children to learn how the human body works. Yes, this is biology but they will never tell it is.

    I truly think this is the best part of this stream of "educational cartoons". I do remember you can find little books and a plastic body in several parts: skin, skeleton, and of course: organs.

    In the same stream, you'll find: "Il était une fois l'homme" which relate the human History from the big bang to the 20th century. There is: "Il était une fois l'espace" as well (about the space and its exploration) but that one is more a fiction than a description of the reality since it takes place in the future.
    10MrVibrating

    A great show for kids

    This TV-series was one of the ones I loved when I was a kid. Even though I see it now through the pink-shaded glasses of nostalgia, I can still tell it was a quality show, very educational but still funny. I have not seen the original French version, only the Swedish. I have no idea how good the dubbing was, it was too long ago to remember.

    The premise of the show was to show you how the body works. I swear, school still hasn't taught me half of what I know from this show. It also tied in other things, like what happens if you eat unhealthy food and don't exercise, with nice examples within the body. Who wants to have another bar of chocolate when you know miniature virus tanks can invade you? :D The cartoon looked nice, very kids friendly of course, but done with care. Cells, viruses, electric signals in the brain, antibodies and everything else are represented by smiling cartoon figures, looking pretty much how you'd expect what they should look like in the animated body.

    This, and the series about history(especially the environmentally scary finale) were key parts of my childhood. I'm so happy I found them here.
    10Zjukov

    Great series

    This is a cartoon series where most of the action takes place in the human body where the actors are vitamins, viruses, blood cells etc. I will not try to explain it in more details, you will simply have to see it for yourself: You will not be disappointed.

    I remember watching this as a kid in the 80s (with Swedish voices). I have talked with a few people who were also children in the 80s and they loved it also! I must admit that the education-part of the episodes didn't get through to me at a conscious level but the whole idea of educating children while they have fun is wonderful. I have recently seen a few episodes; there is a humour and heart in it that is hard to find in other children programs nowadays.

    5/5
    8afonsobritofalves

    The best educational series ever.

    Very good. I recommend to all children and adults who want to learn more about the human body in an interesting and educational way. Highly recommend.
    10gute84

    Excellent for children... and medical students ;-)

    This was one of my favorite series when I was a kid. The Swedish broadcasting company decided to broadcast it once again a couple of summers ago when I had just finished my first semester of medical school. I was surprised to see the depth in which the organs was explained. Sure, some things are simplified but most of it was correct (even though it was made 22 years ago!) and quite understandable. I would suggest that all soon-to-be medical student should watch it. It is a very good way to learn some of the basic medical words for example. Now I'm in my 7th semester and I think I'll watch the series once again as soon as I've bought the DVD-box :-)

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    Related interests

    Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)
    Animation
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Alternate versions
      Aspect Ratio is changed from it's original 1.33:1 to 1.66:1 in remastered versions for TV and Digital Plaforms.
    • Connections
      Featured in Fan des années 80: 1986 #1 (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      Hymne à la vie
      Music by Michel Legrand

      Lyrics by Albert Barillé

      Performed by Sandra Kim

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    FAQ16

    • How many seasons does Il était une fois... la vie have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 13, 1987 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Japan
      • Canada
      • Italy
      • Belgium
      • Spain
      • Netherlands
    • Languages
      • French
      • Czech
    • Also known as
      • Once Upon a Time... Life
    • Production companies
      • Procidis
      • France Régions 3 (FR3)
      • Canal+
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 30m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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