"The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne" (2000) TV series

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Creator:

Gavin Scott

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

5 January 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Adventure

Plot:

The fantastic steampunk adventures of the future science fiction writer and his friends, the Foggs and Passepartout.

Plot Keywords:

Victorian Era | Steampunk | Aviation | Character Name In Title

Cast

Francesca Hunt	...	Rebecca Fogg (22 episodes, 2000)
Michel Courtemanche	...	Passepartout (22 episodes, 2000)
Chris Demetral	...	Jules Verne (22 episodes, 2000)
Michael Praed	...	Phileas Fogg (22 episodes, 2000)
Jonathan Coy	...	Sir Jonathan Chatsworth / ... (10 episodes, 2000)

Country:

UK | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

Filmline International

Trivia:

Inspired by an alternate draft of "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea," which featured Nemo as a Pole attacking Russian ships to avenge his dead family. (The book was changed to its more famous version of a stateless man attacking unflagged ships when Napoleon III signed a treaty with Russia.)

Quotes:

Phileas Fogg: Passerpartout, if you shall die, I shall kill you!

A delightfully different show!

"The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne" is not a show ruled by conventions. It strays far from the formulaic scripts that seem to dominate network television. After all, when was the last time you saw a show that dealt with rocket-powered Victorian vampires, mechanical gunslingers, time travel and the Holy Grail? Is it science fiction? Is it fantasy? Is it action/adventure? Is it historical drama? Is it camp? All of the above? I don't know. What I do know is that it is refreshingly different.

Granted, Jules Verne ain't Shakespeare, and the first few episodes had more than a fair share of "cringe" and "wince" moments. However, the interesting plots, complex characters and fantastical gadgets kept me coming back. Thank goodness, as the show has done nothing but improve. The characters (and actors) really seem to be hitting their stride. What a combination: The angst-ridden Phileas Fogg; his daring, dynamic secret-agent cousin, Rebecca; the erratic genius/ funnyman, Passepartout and the young, idealistic and accident-prone, Jules Verne. Add escapades all over the globe (and through time) and you've got endless possibilities for adventure!

Furthermore, in a medium which too often relies on gratuitous violence and vulgar language for cheap thrills, "Jules Verne" is one television show the whole family can watch and enjoy without having to worry about R-rated content.

So, if you are seeking something outside the mainstream, something alternately brilliant and cheesy, something both humorous and tragic, something clever, cryptic and occasionally outrageous, this may be it!

This show more than deserves a second season… and a third… and a forth…

Keep the Aurora Flying!