An expensive collaboration between Radio-Canada and similar broadcast operations in France, Belgium, and Switzerland, the weekly CBC historical drama D'Iberville was one of the few French-language programs to be telecast over the Canadian network's English-language service. Albert Millaire headed the large and distinguished cast (175 speaking parts!) as Pierre Lemoyne, aka Sieur d'Iberville, eminent 17th century Canadian soldier, naval commander, explorer, and patriot. Despite his preoccupation with matters of war and the inner workings of the Hudson's Bay company, Lemoyne found ample time for romance with several French-Canadian beauties. Although the CBC was predominantly a black-and-white TV service when the series was produced, D'Iberville was lensed in color, in hopes of future international rerun sales. Following a documentary about the making of the series, which aired on August 7, 1967, the 39-week D'Iberville aired on Monday afternoons from October 7, 1968 to June 23, 1969, then was retelecast in 1970.
by Hal Erickson
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