Paddington Bear

Paddington Bear is a series of British animated shorts based on the Paddington Bear book series by Michael Bond produced by FilmFair. This was the first television series based on the popular children's book Paddington Bear. In the United States it was usually shown on pay television as filler in between programs. Its narrator was actor Michael Hordern. It was one of the few television programmes to combine a puppet show with cartoon - Paddington himself was a puppet, but other characters in the series were depicted as cartoon characters. The series has a very distinctive art style. Paddington himself is a stop-motion animated puppet who moves within a 3-dimensional space and interacts with 2-dimensional animated drawings of the human characters, buildings, etc. The series, along with all other FilmFair productions is currently owned by DHX Media of Canada.

Paddington Bear (1976-1980) is a British stop-motion children's animated series produced by FilmFair and broadcast on BBC One, based on Michael Bond's beloved book series. Across two seasons and fifty-six short half-hour episodes, a puppet bear adopted from Peru navigates everyday London life, getting into small, good-natured scrapes around his new family. Paddington himself is a three-dimensional puppet moving through a world of flat, hand-drawn cartoon humans and buildings, a distinctive blend of puppetry and animation that gives the show its unusual look. Michael Hordern provides the narration, lending a warm, unhurried voice to each adventure. The engine of each episode is simple: a well-meaning misunderstanding, a mishap with household routines, and a gentle resolution rooted in kindness and good manners. Its tone is cozy, wistful and comforting, with a soft humour that suits very young viewers and the adults watching alongside them. Fans of Postman Pat, The Clangers and The Herbs will find the same handcrafted British charm in its short, self-contained stories. Set in a present-day-feeling London of the late twentieth century, it remains a gentle, rewatchable classic of early children's television.

• Postman Patgentle stop-motion puppet charm, family-friendly whimsy, British children's animation
• The Herbsstop-motion and live-action hybrid playfulness, short episodic children's storytelling
• The Clangerscozy episodic children's animation with a warm, gentle narrator-led tone

Release Date

1976-01-05

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

7.1 / 10 (27)

What is Paddington Bear about?

A stop-motion puppet bear from darkest Peru stumbles through polite British life in gentle, mischievous short episodes narrated by Michael Hordern.

What is Paddington Bear like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Paddington Bear as measured, its intensity as subtle and its storytelling as simple.

Is Paddington Bear violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Paddington Bear.

Which shows are like Paddington Bear?

Shows with a similar feel include Postman Pat, The Herbs, and The Clangers.

How long is Paddington Bear?

Paddington Bear: 2 seasons, 56 episodes.

Is Paddington Bear still running?

No, Paddington Bear has ended.

Where can I watch Paddington Bear?

In United States, Paddington Bear is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.