Rocambole (1964)

The legendary French anti-hero returns in this classic 1964 television adventure series, adapted from Pierre Alexis Ponson du Terrail's beloved 19th-century novels.

Rocambole - Series Information

  • First Air Year: 1964
  • Last Air Year: 1965
  • Created by: Jean-Pierre Decourt
  • Type: TV Series
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (13 minutes)
  • Number of Seasons: 3
  • Number of Episodes: 78
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: French
  • Spoken Languages: French
  • Networks: ORTF Télévision 2
  • Production Companies: Radio-Télévision Française, Telfrance
  • Production Countries: France

Rocambole - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Jean-Pierre Decourt

Main Cast

  • Jean Heynau
  • Maurice Chevaly
  • Jean Topart
  • Pierre Vernier
  • Jeanne Herviale
  • Marianne Girard
  • Michel Puterflam
  • René Clermont
  • Alain Dekok
  • Raoul Curet

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Rocambole - FAQs

Is Rocambole based on a true story or novel?

Rocambole is adapted from the enormously popular 19th-century adventure novels by French author Pierre Alexis Ponson du Terrail. The character Rocambole first appeared in serialised fiction in the 1850s and became one of the most beloved anti-heroes of French popular literature, inspiring numerous stage and screen adaptations over the decades.

Who plays Rocambole in the 1964 series?

Pierre Vernier takes on the title role of Rocambole in this 1964 production, also portraying the aliases le major Avatar and van Bucke. Jean Topart delivers a memorable performance as the villainous Andréa de Felipone, among other roles, while the ensemble cast brings a rich gallery of characters to life.

How many seasons and episodes does Rocambole have?

The series ran for three seasons between 1964 and 1965, with each season comprising 26 episodes for a total of 78 episodes. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes, making the series a brisk, serialised adventure perfectly suited to the episodic storytelling tradition of French television of the era.

Who created and directed the Rocambole TV series?

The series was created and directed by Jean-Pierre Decourt, a prolific French television director known for bringing classic literary adventures to the small screen. Produced by Radio-Télévision Française and Telfrance, it aired on ORTF Télévision 2 and stands as one of the notable French TV productions of the mid-1960s.

Where can I watch Rocambole online?

Streaming availability for Rocambole varies by region and platform. As a vintage 1960s French production, it may be found through specialised classic television archives or French-language streaming services. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options available in your country.

What kind of character is Rocambole in the series?

Rocambole is a classic anti-hero — a cunning, shape-shifting adventurer who moves between the worlds of crime and redemption. Originally a villain in Ponson du Terrail's novels, the character evolved into a roguish hero celebrated for his disguises, daring escapes, and moral complexity, qualities that made him a fascinating figure for 1960s French television.

What network originally aired Rocambole in France?

Rocambole originally aired on ORTF Télévision 2, the second channel of the Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française, France's public broadcasting organisation. The series was co-produced by Radio-Télévision Française and Telfrance, two key institutions in the development of French television drama during the 1960s.

Are there other screen adaptations of the Rocambole character?

Rocambole has inspired numerous adaptations across more than a century. The character appeared in silent films as early as the 1910s, followed by sound films and later television productions. The 1964 series is among the most celebrated, bringing the swashbuckling anti-hero to a new generation of French audiences through the intimacy of the small screen.

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