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Manuel on the Island of Wonders

1984·Show
3Episodes in1Season
75
GreatGoodWatch score

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Manuel on the Island of Wonders fingerprint

Immersive world, strong craft.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Spectacle6
  • Tension5
  • Adrenaline3

Heart

Awe-inspiring

  • Wonder9
  • Wholesome6
  • Hopefulness6

Humor

Plenty of absurdist humor and sharp wit

  • Absurdist Humor8
  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Satire & Parody3

World

Fantasy

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Novelty10
  • World Immersion9
  • Rewatchability9

Craft

Standout direction and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Direction9
  • Narrative Structure9
  • Complexity9

Style

Standout visual style, cinematography, and editing

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Visual Stylization9
  • Cinematography8
  • Editing8

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensPure EscapismThought-Provoking

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Episode ratings

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SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3

About

This three part French TV serial for children (alternate versions exist as a feature, Manoel’s Destinies, and a 4 part Portuguese TV serial, Adventure in Madeira) is the favourite of many devotees of Raúl Ruiz. This is because it ties the enchantment and mystery of Lewis Carroll, Carlo Collodi and the Brothers Grimm to the filmmaker’s experiments with narrative strategies and what he calls the pentaludic model of storytelling (where characters are thrown dice-like into combinations and situations governed by the play of Chance and Destiny).
Experimental NarrativeSurrealist Children's FantasyArt-HousePhilosophical StorytellingDreamlikeEuropean CinemaAllegoricalWhimsicalNon-LinearLiterary Adaptations

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Manuel on the Island of Wonders

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Manuel on the Island of Wonders legally?

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Is Manuel on the Island of Wonders worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75/100 (IMDb 7.8). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How many seasons does Manuel on the Island of Wonders have?

1 season

It has 1 season with 3 episodes.

When did Manuel on the Island of Wonders air?

It ran from 1984 to 1984 and has ended.

What language is Manuel on the Island of Wonders in?

FrenchPortuguese

It was made in French, with some Portuguese. Produced in Portugal, France.