Once Upon a Time… Man

The history of mankind from prehistoric times to the 20th century.

Once Upon a Time... Man is a French animated educational series created by Albert Barillé for France 3. Across twenty-six half-hour episodes, it follows two prehistoric characters, the cheerful Pierette and the scruffy Le Nabot, who are led through humanity's development by the wise Maestro. The engine of the show is curiosity: each episode drops the characters into a new historical moment, from cave life and early tools to ancient civilizations, medieval life and the modern twentieth century, and they learn by experiencing it. The episodes work as self-contained lessons that still accumulate into one chronological arc, so the whole run reads as a long tour of world history. The tone is warm, witty and gently wondering, with comic bickering between the cavemen balancing the scholarly explanations. Its hand-drawn look and family-friendly pacing give it the feel of a classroom that is also an adventure, suited to children and adults who enjoy learning about the past.

Audiences rate this educational animated history series positively, valuing its accessible retelling of human history.

• Cosmos: A Spacetime Odysseyeducational animated history journey with a family-friendly narrative of human progress
• Ulysses 31animated family series teaching history through characters, with European animation roots
• The Story of Mankindanimated educational history for young viewers with an episodic chronological structure

Created by

Albert Barillé

Release Date

1978-09-23

Episode runtime

26 min

Rating

8.1 / 10 (154)

What is Once Upon a Time… Man about?

A French animated series that follows a pair of cavemen as they are guided through the whole history of mankind, from prehistory to the twentieth century.

What is Once Upon a Time… Man like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Once Upon a Time… Man as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Once Upon a Time… Man violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Once Upon a Time… Man as mild.

What did critics think of Once Upon a Time… Man?

Audiences rate this educational animated history series positively, valuing its accessible retelling of human history.

Which shows are like Once Upon a Time… Man?

Shows with a similar feel include Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Ulysses 31, and The Story of Mankind.

How long is Once Upon a Time… Man?

Once Upon a Time… Man: 1 season, 26 episodes.

Is Once Upon a Time… Man still running?

No, Once Upon a Time… Man has ended.