Johan en de Alverman (Johan and the Alverman) was aFlemish children's TV series, broadcast on the BRT (now theVRT) from 1965 to 1966.

Johan en de Alverman
Book cover of the series
Genre	Children's TV series, historical adventure series
Created by	Lo Vermeulen,Karel Jeuninckx[1]
Directed by	Bert Struys (footage),Senne Rouffaer (actors)[1]
Theme music composer	Miklós Rózsa[1]
Opening theme	"The Duchess of Brighton" fromThe V.I.P.s.[1]
Country of origin	Belgium
Original language	Dutch
No. of episodes	16[1]
Original release
Network	B.R.T. (nowadays theVRT)
Release	October 23, 1965 (1965-10-23)[1] – June 12, 1966 (1966-06-12)[1]

Together withCaptain Zeppos, it is considered one of the classics of Flemish children's television. The show was very popular and has been rerun numerous times. It also achieved significant success inItaly,Germany, theNetherlands,Sweden andNorway.^[1]

The story is set in 1650.^[1] A localsurgeon, Johan Claeszoons, meets a strange dwarf in the forest who is unable to speak his language. After sharing some food, the dwarf becomes Johan's friend. He turns out to be analverman, who was banished from the kingdom of Avalon for being too curious. He is only allowed to return to his people when he can bring something of value to the entire kingdom. The help of his magical flute and ring,Fafiforniek, aid him.^[2]

Later in the story, Johan meets Rosita, the beautiful daughter of Don Cristobal de Bobadilla, and falls in love with her. However, he must contend with her suitor, the evil Guy de Sénancourt as well as Cristobal, who sends his Native American servant Otorongo after him.

• Johan Claeszoon:Frank Aendenboom^[3]
• De Alverman:Jef Cassiers
• Don Cristobal de Bobadilla:Cyriel Van Gent
• Rosita de Bobadilla:Rosemarie Bergmans
• Otorongo:Dolf De Winter
• Guy de Sénancourt:Alex Cassiers
• Oom Willem:Ward de Ravet
• Tante Liezelotje:Fanny Winkler
• Ome Ben:Vic Moeremans
• Cipolla:Walter Moeremans
• Pietro:Jos Mahu
• Simone:Chris Lomme
• De Baljuw:Marcel Hendrickx
• Farmer Janus:Jan Reussens
• Marquis:Roger Bolders
• Knight servant:Raymond Bossaerts
• Alberic van Avalon:Robert Maes
• Elf:Marilou Mermans
• Royal servant:Jacky Morel
• 'Guard:Jaak Van Hombeek

Originally,Luc Phillips was to play the Alverman, but he had other commitments, soJef Cassiers replaced him.^[4]

The actors Aendenboom and Bergmans became a couple in real life during the recordings.^[1]

The show was recorded in several historical or nature resorts in Belgium, including inGaasbeek, theCaves of Han-sur-Lesse,Brussels,Orp-Jauche andBokrijk.^[1]

The story was also adapted into a series of novels.

The theme music, "The Duchess of Brighton" was taken from the filmThe V.I.P.s (1962) and composed byMiklós Rózsa.^[1]

The success ofJohan en de Alverman inspired the Dutch children's TV seriesFloris, which is also a costume drama.^[5]

• Johan en de Alverman atIMDb