Once Upon a Time: Life

Watch Once Upon a Time: Life

  • 1987
  • 1 Season

Once Upon a Time: Life, also known as Il était une fois... la vie, is an acclaimed French educational animation series that originally aired in 1987. The show was broadcast on the France 3 network and is part of the larger "Once Upon a Time" franchise created by Albert Barillé. The series is predicated on the idea that learning should be fun and engaging, and so, it adopts the unique concept of exploring the human body from within, introducing complex biological systems in a simplified, digestible, and entertaining manner. The show's iconic main characters, in their distinctive red and white suits, journey through the human body's elaborate systems and organs, exploring the body's incredible intricacies and wonders.

The uniqueness of Once Upon a Time: Life lies in its approach to education. It embeds a wealth of factual biological information within its narrative plots, subtly teaching its viewers about the workings of the human body. Each episode focuses on a new topic, ranging from the nervous system to the immune system, from digestion to circulation, and so on. Not only does it explain the function and purpose of various bodily systems, but it also delves into how they interact and collaborate. The series does a fantastic job of encapsulating the vast complexities of biological sciences and human physiology into bite-sized, delightful storylines that are teeming with rich animation, humor, and engaging information.

One key strength of the show is its character design. The main characters have been cleverly designed to reflect their roles within the body, which adds an extra depth to the educational content. For instance, the characters that represent white blood cells are depicted as the body's police force, fighting off harmful invaders and pathogens, thus, providing an engaging introduction to the immune system. This opportunity to understand these complex biological topics through easily recognizable and relatable representations makes the show highly accessible and enjoyable for viewers of all ages.

The animation style of Once Upon a Time: Life is colorful, dynamic, and distinctive, reflecting the late 80s vibe. This style combines with the informative narrative and perfectly synchronized sound effects to capture the attention of young viewers and make learning an enjoyable experience. The animation also adopts the use of humorous elements, helping the viewers to retain the information while making the learning experience lively and appealing.

The creators of the show brought in expert consultants and biologists to ensure the scientific accuracy of the content. They wanted to maintain the fine balance between listener enjoyment and maintaining scientific accuracy. As a result, the presented information is generally accurate and easy to comprehend, making the show a useful tool for science education.

One fascinating feature of Once Upon a Time: Life is its ability to appeal to a wide range of audiences. Young children can enjoy the colorful visuals, entertaining plot, and charismatic characters. Older children and adults, on the other hand, can delve deeper into the workings of various biological systems to gain a comprehensive understanding of human physiology. Additionally, the series has also been dubbed into numerous languages, increasing its accessibility and reach across various cultures and regions.

The series also stands out because of its iconic musical score. The opening theme song, composed by the prolific Michiel van der Kuy, is well-loved and remains memorable to this day. The musical score illuminates the adventurous spirit of the series, enhancing its entertainment factor while reinforcing the educational topics explored in each episode.

In conclusion, Once Upon a Time: Life from France 3 in 1987 is a stellar example of an educational program that expertly combines entertainment with learning. With its vibrant animation style, immersive teaching method, lovable characters, and exciting adventures within the human body, it continues to be a timeless favorite among viewers across generations and cultures worldwide. Its success sets a benchmark for future educational programs, proving that learning can indeed be as exhilarating and memorable as it is informative.

Once Upon a Time: Life is a series that ran for 1 seasons (26 episodes) between September 13, 1987 and on France 3

Once Upon a Time: Life
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Seasons
And life goes on...
26. And life goes on...
March 13, 1988
Pedrito wants to know why his grandma can’t play ball anymore and his grandpa tells him an old story about a sphinx.
Repairs and Changes
25. Repairs and Changes
February 28, 1988
Pedrito is 8 years old and is tired after a long day. When he goes to bed, Teacher and his helpers observe the activity that continues during sleep.
The Chain of Life
24. The Chain of Life
February 21, 1988
A walk in the forest is the perfect way to learn about the extraordinary food chain that exists between the sun, vegetation, animals, and man.
The Hormones
23. The Hormones
February 14, 1988
At the heart of the hypothalamus, Teacher shows us how this region sends out orders to satisfy all the body’s needs.
The Vaccination
22. The Vaccination
February 7, 1988
Vaccines bring us so many benefits! People who don’t get vaccinated run the risk of contracting a disease that is stronger than our natural defenses.
Toxin Wars
21. Toxin Wars
January 31, 1988
Combat teams act as preventative barriers and are prepared to defend the cell’s nucleus against toxic gases and contaminants.
The Muscles and the Fat
20. The Muscles and the Fat
January 24, 1988
Muscles account for almost half the weight of the human body. They also need a ton of energy to do their jobs correctly.
The Bones and the Skeleton
19. The Bones and the Skeleton
January 17, 1988
The architecture that protects the body’s organs is magnificent! However, even the slightest fracture can cause significant damage.
The Lymphatic System
18. The Lymphatic System
January 10, 1988
The huge lymph network transports everything to the body’s factories. Infectious intruders beware! This place is well protected.
The Kidneys
17. The Kidneys
January 3, 1988
Toxic elements head to the kidneys where they are categorized. The good ones are salvaged but the bad ones are sent to the bladder. Have a good trip!
The Liver Factory
16. The Liver Factory
December 27, 1987
The liver is fundamental. It doesn’t weigh a lot but it uses almost as much oxygen as the heart! It makes proteins, corpuscles, and helps heal cuts.
The Digestion
15. The Digestion
December 20, 1987
After a tasty meal the food starts its journey to the stomach where it will be broken down depending on what properties it has. But don’t overdo it!
The Mouth and the Teeth
14. The Mouth and the Teeth
December 13, 1987
Yum! Candy! But sugar strengthens the bacteria around the gums and attacks the tooth enamel, which can cause cavities.
The Skin
13. The Skin
December 6, 1987
Skin is the first barrier against external aggression and helps eliminate waste. From cuts and scrapes to bug bites, it stays pretty busy.
The Ear
12. The Ear
November 29, 1987
The ear is composed of cells that sense vibrations and transmit them to the brain. Then, the brain transforms them into words and sounds.
The Eye
11. The Eye
November 22, 1987
Eyes are magical! They break down and transmit images to the brain. What happens if a speck of dust gets into one? It’s tear enzymes to the rescue.
The Neurones
10. The Neurones
November 15, 1987
The body’s messengers run around sending and receiving information about feelings like hunger and cold. They work day and night and never take breaks.
The Brain
9. The Brain
November 8, 1987
Teacher introduces Hemo and Globina to the most mysterious organ: the brain. They learn about behavior, the senses, and much more.
Breathing
8. Breathing
November 1, 1987
Air bubbles travel from the nose to the lungs. In the swampy, mucus-filled areas, they meet the red blood cells that transport them around the body.
The Heart
7. The Heart
October 25, 1987
Globus takes Hemo and Globina on a tour through the human body’s cathedral: the heart and circulatory system. It’s an impressive adventure.
The Tiny Platelets
6. The Tiny Platelets
October 18, 1987
Pedrito cuts his finger with a dirty knife. While the platelets try to cure the wound, the white blood cells fight off the filthy invaders.
The Blood
5. The Blood
October 11, 1987
The steadfast red blood cells have come down with the flu! Pedrito and Psi get some help from the Teacher’s antibodies to beat the enemy.
The Bone Marrow
4. The Bone Marrow
October 4, 1987
Red blood cells, the body’s police force, are created in the bone marrow but sometimes, the factory breaks down and wayward policemen come out. Uh oh!
The Body Sentinels
3. The Body Sentinels
September 27, 1987
The body’s police force is taught to neutralize its enemies (microbes and viruses), which reproduce at an alarming rate! It’s a very complex task.
Birth
2. Birth
September 20, 1987
After the first cell is fertilized, division and diversification take place to create the 60 trillion cells of the human body.
The Cell Planet
1. The Cell Planet
September 13, 1987
The world of cells is incredible! Activating enzymes, stopping viruses, and managing the body’s police force: it’s all in a day’s work for Teacher.
Description
Where to Watch Once Upon a Time: Life
Once Upon a Time: Life is available for streaming on the France 3 website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Once Upon a Time: Life on demand at Netflix.
  • Premiere Date
    September 13, 1987
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