A very entertaining animated series that shows the history of the world since the prehistory to the twentieth century. The same characters recur in different eras: for example, Pierre, one of the main characters, appears in one episode as a Persian warrior, then in another as a Roman slave, then as a Frankish peasant, and so on. I saw the series in around 1980, when I was about 12, and it definitely awakened in me an interest in history. Now, if one can criticize the series for something is for its Eurocentrism: the history of the world in this series is mostly the history of Europe (with a few exceptions, one of the most intriguing episodes was the one that dealt with the birth of Islam; in deference to the faith, Muhammad was always shown from behind). Now, an interesting fact: here, in Argentina, when it was initially shown in 1980, the military dictatorship was in power, and under pressure from the Catholic Church, the series was taken off the air halfway through. The church apparently didn't like that evolution was favored in the first episode, and neither they appreciated the portrayal of the church during the Middle Ages. I swear this is really true: I remember it quite vividly, because I really liked the series and I was angry when they put it off the air.

To be honest I was surprised there were not more comments on this series. It's a true gem and a classic. Even if it's nearly 30 years old it's still one of the most entertaining and best children's series.They have shown this on Norwegian TV several times. I can remember watching this every Sunday morning as one of my favorite shows. First of all it's an excellent written series with an idea of combining education and entertainment. Often a doomed combination, but the way it's pulled off in this series is incredible. They succeed in making it both entertaining and educational. You follow a group of character through the different stages of mankind. It's the same characters and so you get to know them throughout the series. They also use a narrator and include him as a character of his own in the show. Making him interesting and funny rather than just a boring narrator from a kids perspective.The animation is also good. They characters look of the character matches up with who they are. It's well animated, still by todays standards.As for the educational aspect you get to see history. It's as simple as that. What they do it put these characters into history making one of them Moses one episode and Julius Caesar in the next. They recreate human history as it's supposed to have happened in their own universe with the help of a few characters.I consider this series as a true classic and one of the best children series of all time. Unfortunately it would seem that it is being forgotten as those who saw it are growing up.

I used to watch that show back in the 1980s along with its successor "Once Upon A Time in Space". I still love the show for its combining quality entertainment with an educated look in the history of life in planet Earth from the birth of the first cell organism to the 1970s environmental concerns.Instead of presenting a "black/evil vs white/good" depiction of human history, each featured group of cultures and states have their own motivation, ambitions, fears, prejudices and obvious similarities to both their allies and their enemies.Several historical figures are prominently presented as exemplars of their time. Including but not limited to Alexander the Great, Gaius Julius Caesar, Muhammad, Charlemagne, Peter I "the Great" of Russia. Others make significant cameos such as Cheops, Ramses II, Moses, Samson and many others. Its a good introduction to them and places them in their historical context.I still wonder why this show is mostly unseen in modern television schedules and unavailable in video or DVD. It is easily better than the rather formulaic "good vs evil" sagas of modern animation.

This series is a very European one, in the sense that it's unheard of in the States while kids all over the Euro-Asia area probably know the Bach's Toccata and Fugue No. 525 simply as this series tune. In Hebrew it was called "Once Upon A Time" and it reigned in the kids' most loved animated shows for a few good years. This one should be offered to be downloaded in the Internet as it is a helpful tool to study history. Excellent stuff.