Captain Zeppos (Kapitein Zeppos)

1 9 6 4 (Belgium)
16 x 25 minute episodes
1 9 6 8 (Belgium)
16 x 25 minute episodes

This Belgian children’s TV series – originally titled Kapitein Zeppos – ran for three series with Flemish actor Senne Rouffaer (who also directed) in the title role.

The mysterious and secretive Zeppos (real name, Jan Stephorst) arrived on horseback in the town of Belder to inherit Belderbos, a nearby castle, from his uncle Nico. But others had plans for the castle and its land and – most importantly – what lay beneath the Estate.

Pukkel (Fik Moeremans) is employed by Baral (Ward de Ravet), a rogue businessman who wanted the oil that was in the soil under Belderbos.

Baral received help from an unexpected source: Ariane Despinal (Vera Veroft), the other heiress of Nico’s inheritance.

Zeppos befriended a local called Ben Kurrel (Raymond Bossaerts) who – with his friend Rita Mees (Truus Demedts) – helps Zeppos investigated the mystery.

This first series was dubbed into English by the BBC and broadcast in the UK from Monday 17 October 1966.

The dubbed version was also shown in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica and New Zealand and was subtitled for broadcast in Japan, Egypt, Hong Kong and Nigeria.

In the later series – which was not dubbed into English – the Captain was married to Ariane and searched for the mystery behind a medieval painting.

In this series, he drove an Amphicar, an amphibious car-cum-boat that could both drive and sail.

The theme tune was Living It Up by Bert Kaempfert.

Captain Zeppos
Senne Rouffaer
Ben Kurrel
Raymond Bossaerts
Ariane Despinal
Vera Veroft
Baral
Ward de Ravet
Rita Mees
Truus Demedts
Oma
Henriette Cabanier
Gust the Postman
Cyriel Van Gent
Pukkel
Fik Moeremans

Episodes

The Black Water | The Riders | Black Jacket | The Music Box | The Mysterious Door | The Mask | The Inheritance | The Hermitage | Bend or Break | The Letter | The Driller | The Rose of Jericho | Meeting at the Opera | Where is Ariane? | The Letter ‘S’ | The Trap