Thierry la Fronde
Thierry la Fronde (Terry the Sling) was a French television series that aired in 1963–66 on the television station, ORTF[1] original script by Jean-Claude Deret. Dubbed into English, it was shown internationally in the 1960s, including in Canada, where it was referred to under the original name, and also as The King's Outlaw. It was shown as well in Poland as Thierry Śmiałek (Thierry the Daredevil). On ABC in Australia, it was called The King's Outlaw. In the Netherlands, 32 of the 52 episodes were shown in 1967 as Thierry de Slingeraar (Thierry the Sling), as a Netherlands Television Service programme.
Synopsis
In 1360, during the Hundred Years' War, France is occupied by the English, and the Black Prince rules France with an iron fist. In Sologne in the heart of France, Thierry of Janville, a young lord, fights gallantly against the English occupation but is betrayed by his steward, Florent, and loses his title and his lands. He then takes the name of "Thierry La Fronde", and with the help of his faithful companions continues his fight undercover.
Actors
- Jean-Claude Drouot : Thierry of Janville, known as "Thierry La Fronde"
- Céline Léger: Isabelle
- Jean Gras: Bertrand
- Robert Bazil: Boucicault
- Robert Rollis: Jehan
- Clément Michu: Martin
- Jean-Claude Deret: Florent
- Bernard Rousselet: Pierre
- Fernand Bellan: Judas
Production
- The theme music of Thierry la Fronde was a simple tune in the Dorian mode composed by Jacques Loussier, and performed on a brass instrument (possibly a French horn) for the melody.
- A co-production of Téléfrance and RTF, 52 episodes of 26 minutes each were produced in black and white (November 1963 to March 1966), and first broadcast in 1963.
Reception
- The series, created to compete with the overwhelming British and U.S. film productions with medieval themes, became one of the most popular programs on French television in the 1960s. It is credited with boosting the use of the sling shot in French school playgrounds and turning the relatively rare first name, Thierry, into one of the most popular names for French boys.[2]
- In October of 2012, it was announced that a modern version of Thierry la Fronde is in production.[3]
References
- ^ IMSB entry
- ^ See Richard Utz, "Robin Hood, Frenched," in: Medieval Afterlives in Popular Culture, ed. by Gail Ashton and Daniel T. Kline (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012): 145-58.
- ^ http://www.allocine.fr/article/fichearticle_gen_carticle=18617720.html
External links
- Entry at IMDB
- IMDB link to theme song
- Introductory credits with theme music on Youtube
- Theme music interpreted with lyrics by John William (programme theme was never broadcast with lyrics).