Kapitein Zeppos (1964-1969)

Iconic youth series by the BRT (later the VRT) that even made it far beyond the national borders at that time. From before my time, and even though I don't fall into the right age category, glad I saw this first season. Senne Rouffaer not only plays the lead role of Kapitein Zeppos, but is also responsible for the direction, and has pleasantly surprised me with the dynamics, dolly shots, use of close-ups, etc. It is also striking that the actors regularly break through the fourth wall. Smooth storyline with an emphasis on the adventure. The actors do their job as they should, although the choice for standard Dutch does not always come across as natural. And furthermore, today it is mainly a nostalgic look back at Flanders from more than fifty years ago. The world and technology have of course changed radically in the meantime. Filmed entirely on outdoor locations, it seems, including a sequence in Brussels (we recognize the Mont des Arts, among others). It is true that Captain Zeppos is not yet using his legendary amphicar 770, which will be introduced in the second season.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Four years after the first season, Captain Zeppos returns. He introduces his famous amphibious vehicle. The story takes place partly in Belder and partly in Ghent. It's a hunt for a stolen painting from the Flemish Primitives period, depicting a woman with a eglantine.

Some familiar faces are back. Ariane is now married to Zeppos. Ben is studying geology. New additions include schoolboy Frank and his father – a restorer played by Jacky Morel. The villains are three art thieves disguised as hunters. Various animals play important roles. The climax is a fencing battle in the Ghent belfry. A better youth series hasn't been made since.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Third and final season of the iconic youth series. Just like the second season directed by Jef Demedts. Just like in the second season, the episodes contain quite a bit of action. It certainly seems that all the characters have taken fencing lessons because there is a lot of fencing. The weak point, however, is the plot that focuses on the battle between two underground organizations, Tweng and Sabos, , but it never becomes clear what the actual stake is. Just like in previous seasons, it's a va-et-vient of characters who are kidnapped or run away and are released just as quickly. In the long run, of course, this becomes very predictable. There are some mass fight scenes that are especially funny because of the clumsiness. It is also very unlikely that a battle between two groups will be fought with swords in the late 20th century. I think it probably also has to do with the fact that the BRT at that time invested in the screen techniques of the actors for other series that were filmed at that time (and where it completely fits into the context). A kind of return on investment. Furthermore, it is ridiculous how the members of Sabos, as a terrorist organization, walk around and behave like an army from the late Middle Ages. The series, with the input of the amphicar, still has its charm but the fat is clearly from the soup. Good that it was discontinued after that.

Translated from Dutch · View original