The Magid Roundabout is a Netflix series that has gained significant attention and praise from audiences worldwide. The show follows the lives of a group of friends who live in the vibrant and chaotic city of Magid. The plot revolves around their experiences and adventures as they navigate the ups and downs of love, friendship, and career. One of the standout aspects of the show is its strong and diverse ensemble cast. Each character brings a unique and relatable perspective to the story, making it easy for viewers to become invested in their lives. From the ambitious and career-driven protagonist to the free-spirited artist, the characters showcase a wide range of personalities and backgrounds.
From left: Mr Rusty, Zebedee, Florence and Dougal. Photograph: Photo 12/Alamy
Now, Florence and friends are set to enchant a new generation of pre-school youngsters with a series of 52 11-minute programmes produced by Mediawan s Method Animation, the company behind The Little Prince and Robin Hood. The Magic Roundabout 2022 is a British-American-French movie Plot Florence is on the lookout for her missing parents So, she needs help from her friends and other cartoons To stop Buxton Zeebad, and Professor WXYZ.
From the ambitious and career-driven protagonist to the free-spirited artist, the characters showcase a wide range of personalities and backgrounds. Another notable aspect of The Magid Roundabout is its realistic portrayal of city life. The show does an excellent job of capturing the energy and fast-paced nature of Magid.
It’s time for bed again: French team bring back The Magic Roundabout
O nce upon a time, a girl called Florence with a penchant for big boots played with her weird friends: a dog called Dougal, a dopey rabbit called Dylan and an unusually speedy snail called Brian in a magic garden dominated by a brightly coloured merry-go-round.
The names might not mean anything to people born less than 40-odd years ago, but to those of a certain age they are instantly recognisable as characters from The Magic Roundabout, a French children’s TV show that achieved cult status in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s.
For more than a decade, Florence and friends charmed young and old alike with simple stories told with a witty adult sub-text every evening. Then the programme vanished into television history quicker than the talking, teleporting jack-in-the-box Zebedee could say “time for bed”.
Le Manège Enchanté (The Magic Roundabout) created by Serge Danot. Photograph: Photo 12/Alamy
A 2005 film based on the TV series, failed to revive its fortunes despite being voiced by a cast of A-list stars including Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Tom Baker, Joanna Lumley, Bill Nighy and Ian McKellen. It was described as “dumbed down” and a tragic bypassing of the cheeky 60s original and plans for a sequel were quickly binned.
Now, Florence and friends are set to enchant a new generation of pre-school youngsters with a series of 52 11-minute programmes produced by Mediawan’s Method Animation, the company behind The Little Prince and Robin Hood.
Producer Camille Oesch said there was huge global interest in reviving the programme, and that while the new series, expected to air in 2024, was aimed at a young audience of three– to five-year-olds, she hoped it would “recreate the magic of the Magic Roundabout”.
“We want to respect the characters, personalities and spirit of the original. It’s not a question of going back into the past, but of reviving this iconic work with the techniques of the present,” Oesch said.
“In England, The Magic Roundabout was not just an iconic programme of the 1960s it was a cultural reference in animation, but the context today isn’t the same as in the 1960s so we have to find a path between the two.
“The response to the news has been enormous. Many channels are interested.”
The Magic Roundabout started life as Le Manège Enchanté, created by Frenchman Serge Danot, a former decorator whose previous claim to fame was that he had helped paint the Eiffel Tower. His pink, red, blue and orange merry-go-round was set in a magic garden where the colour green, which he hated, was bizarrely absent.
From left: Mr Rusty, Zebedee, Florence and Dougal. Photograph: Photo 12/Alamy
In 2004, Danot’s widow Martine, now in her early 70s, recalled how Dougal (Pollux in the French version) was an unexpected star. “He was originally a minor character in the programme,” Danot told the Guardian back then.
“At first he didn’t say anything, he just made a strange noise. But after the first few programmes viewers began writing asking to see more of the dog, so he became the main character,” she said.
“Serge gave him a heavy English accent, which French people found enormously amusing. He went, ‘Bow- wow-wow’ [French dogs go, ‘Ouah, ouah’].” Dylan, meanwhile, was called Flappy and had a heavy Spanish accent, while Brian the snail was Ambroise and Ermintrude the cow, Azalée.
France’s state broadcaster originally commissioned 13 programmes, the first of which was broadcast in black and white in October 1964. It was an instant hit, and a further 50 episodes were ordered. In the end Danot made about 700 and The Magic Roundabout went global; it was translated into 30 languages and broadcast in more than 60 countries, including Iran and Japan.
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The BBC was initally unimpressed, rejecting the programme twice as charming but too “weird”, before agreeing to buy it in 1965. In the end, its success in the UK was credited to narrator Eric Thompson, the father of actor Emma Thompson, who was presenting BBC2’s Play School at the time. Thompson deemed the original French stories simplistic and dull. Instead of translating them, he turned down the French sound and made up the narrative as he went along.
While it was a huge hit with children, Thompson’s double entendres also appealed to adults. At its height, The Magic Roundabout, shown in the five-minute slot before the early evening news on BBC1, was attracting about 8 million viewers. To young fans, the hippy, guitar-strumming rabbit Dylan was just dopey – while it was evident to parents that he had clearly been smoking something. And what was in those sugar cubes that sent Dougal spinning in circles? Every episode ended with Zebedee (Ze Baddie, another Thompson invention) declaring: “Time for bed”.
Eric Thompson with characters from The Magic Roundabout. Photograph: David Newell Smith/The Observer
Danot was less happy with Dougal’s English name – he was convinced Thompson was having a sly dig at the French president Charles de Gaulle.
Jérôme Brizé, founder of Magic, co-producers of the new series, who manages the rights to the Magic Roundabout on behalf of Martine Danot, admits Thompson’s approach gave the British version a certain adult appeal, but doubts the celebrated actor and script writer would get away with doing the same these days.
“Eric Thompson would turn the sound down and make up his own story. I don’t think he even knew what the original was about; I guess he was sent the scripts in French but I don’t think they were translated,” Brizé said.
“He certainly took some liberties but this was part of his genius and contributed to it becoming such an iconic programme in the UK. I think the UK was the only place where the programme was addressed to adults as well as children.”
Brizé added: “We hope to recreate the spirit and English humour in it, but we will be taking it back to its original roots as a series for children.”
Oesch agreed this was a challenge. “We will be trying hard to find a balance between the French and English contexts,” she said.
The bustling streets, crowded cafes, and lively nightlife scenes all contribute to the authenticity of the series. This, coupled with the compelling characters, creates a viewing experience that is both entertaining and immersive. The Magid Roundabout also tackles various societal issues, such as gender inequality, mental health, and cultural barriers. These themes are seamlessly integrated into the storyline, allowing for thought-provoking discussions and reflection. The show's ability to address these topics with sensitivity and honesty has garnered praise from both critics and viewers alike. Furthermore, the series boasts impressive production values. The cinematography and set designs are visually stunning, capturing the essence of Magid's vibrant culture. The music and sound design also add depth to the storytelling, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The Magid Roundabout has gained a dedicated fan base and has been widely praised for its engaging storytelling, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes. It serves as a testament to the power of quality storytelling and its ability to resonate with viewers on a global scale. With its continued success, it is evident that The Magid Roundabout is a must-watch series for any fan of compelling and immersive storytelling..
Reviews for "👨👧👦 "Bonding Through 'The Magic Roundabout': A Family Show on Netflix"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Magid Roundabout" on Netflix. The storyline was convoluted and confusing, making it hard to follow along. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, resulting in a lack of excitement or tension throughout the series. Overall, I found the show to be boring and underwhelming.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "The Magid Roundabout" was a complete waste of time. The plot was all over the place and didn't make much sense. It felt like the writers were trying to cram too many ideas into one show, resulting in a messy and confusing narrative. The performances were also lackluster, with the actors failing to bring any depth or complexity to their characters. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this show.
3. Mike - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Magid Roundabout" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story was predictable and lacked any originality. The dialogue was mediocre, and the acting was subpar at best. I found myself uninterested in the characters and their arcs, as they were poorly developed. The show didn't offer anything new or exciting, making it a forgettable watch.
4. Lisa - 2.5 stars - While "The Magid Roundabout" had an interesting premise, the execution was poor. The pacing was inconsistent, with some episodes dragging on and others feeling rushed. The character development was lacking, making it hard to feel invested in their journeys. The visual effects and production quality were also subpar, leading to a less immersive viewing experience. Overall, the show had potential, but it failed to deliver on many fronts.