| Genre: | Children's TV series, historical adventure series |
| Creator: | Lo Vermeulen, Karel Jeuninckx[1] |
| Director: | Bert Struys (footage), Senne Rouffaer (actors) |
| Theme Music Composer: | Miklós Rózsa |
| Opentheme: | "The Duchess of Brighton" from The V.I.P.s. |
| Country: | Belgium |
| Language: | Dutch |
| Num Episodes: | 16 |
| Channel: | B.R.T. (nowadays the VRT) |
Johan en de Alverman (Johan and the Alverman) was a Flemish children's TV series, broadcast on the BRT (now the VRT) from 1965 to 1966.
Together with Captain 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 in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.[1]
The story is set in 1650.[1] A local surgeon, 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 an alverman, 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.
Originally, Luc Phillips was to play the Alverman, but he had other commitments, so Jef 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 in Gaasbeek, the Caves of Han-sur-Lesse, Brussels, Orp-Jauche and Bokrijk.[1]
The story was also adapted into a series of novels.
The theme music, "The Duchess of Brighton" was taken from the film The V.I.P.s (1962) and composed by Miklós Rózsa.[1]
The success of Johan en de Alverman inspired the Dutch children's TV series Floris, which is also a costume drama.[5]