Once Upon a Time... Life — Season 1NR
Once Upon a Time... Life·Season 1·1987·26 episodes

Season 1

Once Upon a Time... Life
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Premiere
13
Sep1987
Season 1

Synopsis

Once Upon a Time... Life (Il était une fois... la Vie, 1987), Season 1 — watch all 26 episodes online on iFILM. An animated educational series co-produced across France, Belgium, Canada, and Japan.

A tiny cast of cells, sentinels, and a patient Teacher guides viewers from the very first cell division through the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, immune system, skin, digestion, and on to sleep and the food chain. Each episode zeroes in on one system: how platelets seal a cut, why the liver works around the clock, what the lymph network does when bacteria show up uninvited. The science never dumbs down — it just animates.

Produced in 1987, the series became a biology fixture in classrooms across Europe and beyond. Kids who grew up with it remember the red blood cell characters longer than any textbook chapter. Stream Once Upon a Time... Life Season 1 online on iFILM.

Season 1

26 episodes

  • The Planet Cell
    S1·E1

    The Planet Cell

    September 13, 1987 · 24 min

    The world of cells is incredible! Activating enzymes, stopping viruses, and managing the body’s police force: it’s all in a day’s work for Teacher.

  • Birth
    S1·E2

    Birth

    September 20, 1987 · 24 min

    After the first cell is fertilized, division and diversification take place to create the 60 trillion cells of the human body.

  • The Body Sentinels
    S1·E3

    The Body Sentinels

    September 27, 1987 · 26 min

    The body’s police force is taught to neutralize its enemies (microbes and viruses), which reproduce at an alarming rate! It’s a very complex task.

  • The Bone Marrow
    S1·E4

    The Bone Marrow

    October 4, 1987 · 26 min

    Red blood cells, the body’s police force, are created in the bone marrow but sometimes, the factory breaks down and wayward policemen come out. Uh oh!

  • The Blood
    S1·E5

    The Blood

    October 11, 1987 · 25 min

    The steadfast red blood cells have come down with the flu! Pedrito and Psi get some help from the Teacher’s antibodies to beat the enemy.

  • The Tiny Platelets
    S1·E6

    The Tiny Platelets

    October 18, 1987 · 24 min

    Pedrito cuts his finger with a dirty knife. While the platelets try to cure the wound, the white blood cells fight off the filthy invaders.

  • The Heart
    S1·E7

    The Heart

    October 25, 1987 · 26 min

    Globus takes Hemo and Globina on a tour through the human body’s cathedral: the heart and circulatory system. It’s an impressive adventure.

  • Breathing
    S1·E8

    Breathing

    November 1, 1987 · 26 min

    Air bubbles travel from the nose to the lungs. In the swampy, mucus-filled areas, they meet the red blood cells that transport them around the body.

  • The Brain
    S1·E9

    The Brain

    November 8, 1987 · 26 min

    Teacher introduces Hemo and Globina to the most mysterious organ: the brain. They learn about behavior, the senses, and much more.

  • The Neurones
    S1·E10

    The Neurones

    November 15, 1987 · 26 min

    The body’s messengers run around sending and receiving information about feelings like hunger and cold. They work day and night and never take breaks.

  • The Eye
    S1·E11

    The Eye

    November 22, 1987 · 26 min

    Eyes are magical! They break down and transmit images to the brain. What happens if a speck of dust gets into one? It’s tear enzymes to the rescue.

  • The Ear
    S1·E12

    The Ear

    November 29, 1987 · 26 min

    The ear is composed of cells that sense vibrations and transmit them to the brain. Then, the brain transforms them into words and sounds.

  • The Skin
    S1·E13

    The Skin

    December 6, 1987 · 26 min

    Skin is the first barrier against external aggression and helps eliminate waste. From cuts and scrapes to bug bites, it stays pretty busy.

  • The Mouth and the Teeth
    S1·E14

    The Mouth and the Teeth

    December 13, 1987 · 26 min

    Yum! Candy! But sugar strengthens the bacteria around the gums and attacks the tooth enamel, which can cause cavities.

  • The Digestion
    S1·E15

    The Digestion

    December 20, 1987 · 26 min

    After a tasty meal the food starts its journey to the stomach where it will be broken down depending on what properties it has. But don’t overdo it!

  • The Liver Factory
    S1·E16

    The Liver Factory

    December 27, 1987 · 26 min

    The liver is fundamental. It doesn’t weigh a lot but it uses almost as much oxygen as the heart! It makes proteins, corpuscles, and helps heal cuts.

  • The Kidneys
    S1·E17

    The Kidneys

    January 3, 1988 · 27 min

    Toxic elements head to the kidneys where they are categorized. The good ones are salvaged but the bad ones are sent to the bladder. Have a good trip!

  • The Lymphatic System
    S1·E18

    The Lymphatic System

    January 10, 1988 · 26 min

    The huge lymph network transports everything to the body’s factories. Infectious intruders beware! This place is well protected.

  • The Bones and the Skeleton
    S1·E19

    The Bones and the Skeleton

    January 17, 1988 · 26 min

    The architecture that protects the body’s organs is magnificent! However, even the slightest fracture can cause significant damage.

  • The Muscles and the Fat
    S1·E20

    The Muscles and the Fat

    January 24, 1988 · 26 min

    Muscles account for almost half the weight of the human body. They also need a ton of energy to do their jobs correctly.

  • Toxin Wars
    S1·E21

    Toxin Wars

    January 31, 1988 · 26 min

    Combat teams act as preventative barriers and are prepared to defend the cell’s nucleus against toxic gases and contaminants.

  • The Vaccination
    S1·E22

    The Vaccination

    February 7, 1988 · 26 min

    Vaccines bring us so many benefits! People who don’t get vaccinated run the risk of contracting a disease that is stronger than our natural defenses.

  • The Hormones
    S1·E23

    The Hormones

    February 14, 1988 · 26 min

    At the heart of the hypothalamus, Teacher shows us how this region sends out orders to satisfy all the body’s needs.

  • The Chain Of Life
    S1·E24

    The Chain Of Life

    February 21, 1988 · 26 min

    A walk in the forest is the perfect way to learn about the extraordinary food chain that exists between the sun, vegetation, animals, and man.

  • Repairs and Changes
    S1·E25

    Repairs and Changes

    February 28, 1988 · 26 min

    Pedrito is 8 years old and is tired after a long day. When he goes to bed, Teacher and his helpers observe the activity that continues during sleep.

  • And life goes on...
    S1·E26

    And life goes on...

    March 13, 1988 · 27 min

    Pedrito wants to know why his grandpa can’t play ball anymore, so he tells Pedrito an old story about a sphinx.

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