One for all...

...and all for one!  Some of the finest children's cartoons came out of my 80s childhood, but in an era defined by Danger Mouse and Duckula, Thundercats and Transformers, there is one series that stands alone, towering head-and-shoulders above its rivals - Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds.

Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds

One of Dogtanian's biggest appeals - and surprises - is just how far it flew under the radar of generation Y.  It is largely ignored by its former viewers, forgotten, overlooked and left as a footnote on the annals of their formative years.  Why it has been eclipsed is a mystery to me, for Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds has it all - wonderful artistry and real attention to detail for its time; a fantastic, fast-paced adventure story; bundles of history; oodles of Paris; a vibrant, clever cast of characters; and the abundant wit that seems in such short supply in modern kids' programming.  At the heart of the plot, in which the country bumpkin son of a national hero is sent to Paris to become a Musketeer, is a classic battle between good and evil, played out in the palaces and streets of the French capital, where Dogtanian must prove himself, win his love, and thwart the numerous machinations of the evil Cardinal Richelieu, aided in his dastardly deeds by the cunning Milady, bumbling Captain Widimer, and likeable Count Rochefort, the 'Black Moustache'.  Does Dogtanian rise to become a Musketeer?  Will Richelieu's ambition to singularly control the country ever be realised?  I'll leave you to crack open your own DVD box set to find out these answers.

Dogtanian meets the Black Moustache

The evil Cardinal Richelieu

The purpose of this blog was not just to look back on such a ground-breaking series, but also to look forward - for a smattering of online reports suggest that the Dogtanian brand has not been confined to the 1980s.  Indeed, if you believe Animation magazine or Variety.com, the swashbuckling adventure may soon be delighting kids and adults once more, by way of a new 3D animated film.  In my opinion, the first signs are pretty promising - the images thus far released look great, and BRB International's 2016 reel gives a further snapshot of the excitement that awaits (move this video onto 3.52 and let yourself be swept away.)  In all, a new Dogtanian, rooted in the heritage of the original cartoon, and looking every bit like a 21st century production.  Well played BRB.

Dogtaninan in 3D (source: variety.com)

Now if I'm being honest, I've never actually read Alexander Dumas' acclaimed classic, despite housing it on my bookshelf for more than 15 years.  Maybe, in light of this film release, I'll give it a go (not that it'll be possible to imagine the characters as anything other than a host of colourful animals.)  In the meantime, I think a re-watch of the original cartoon series is in order.  All together now: "One for all and all for one, muskehounds are always ready..."