"Octopus from II. Floor" is a four-part Czechoslovak television series from 1987, directed by Jindřich Polák and based on the book by Ota Hofman. The series was made in co-production with West Germany and is still one of the most popular works of children's television today.
Series content
The series follows the stories of two magical plasticine octopuses, Zelená and Modrý, and their adventures. The story takes place mostly in the setting of the second floor of an apartment building, where they meet children and other characters.
Episode List
- Project IV.
- Flashes over the Devil
- All in Half!
- Happy Christmas wishes to Green and Blue
The making of the series was documented in the report "How the Octopuses Were Filmed", which premiered on 3. January 1988, just after the last episode aired.
Film adaptations
Along with the series, two abridged film edits were made:
- The Octopus of II. Floor (1986) - a cut of the first two episodes of the series.
- Happy Christmas to the Octopus (1986) - a cut of the third and fourth episodes.
The four-part serial version is approximately four hours long, while the two films together are three hours long. The film versions were shortened by dropping the story line of the holiday at grandfather's, which is included in the series in the second and third episodes. This part was replaced in the films by a quick summary.
Various versions and premieres
International versions
There are two versions of the series in West Germany:
- The ten-part version (each episode lasts 25 minutes) - this version was never broadcast in Czechoslovakia.
- Four-part version (each episode lasts 60 minutes).
Series and film premieres
- West Germany: 21. to 28. December 1986 (4 episodes).
- Czechoslovakia: 1. July and November 1987 (2 films).
- West Germany: 17. September to 19. November 1987 (10 parts).
- Czechoslovakia: 25. December 1987 to 2. January 1988 (4 episodes).
- Soviet Union: 26. July to 29. July 1988 (4 episodes).
Christmas Broadcast
The series "Octopus from 2nd Floor" became a popular show during the Christmas season. The Czechoslovakian premiere of the four-part version was on December 25, 1987, with the last episode airing on January 2, 1988.
Comparison with the series "Lucie, the Street Fear"
The story of "Octopus from II. Floor" has many features in common with the series "Lucie, the Street Frightener"
- Both series exist as serials and abridged film versions (however, the serial version of "Lucie, the Street Frightener" has never been broadcast in Czechoslovakia).
- Both series were co-produced.
- The director of both series was Jindřich Polák.
- The screenplay for both series was written by Ota Hofman.
- The music for both series was composed by Angelo Mikhailov.
- Both series feature magical plasticine figures.
- Jiřina Bohdalová voices the green plasticine figure in both series.
- The lead role in both series is played by Žaneta Fuchsová.
While "Lucie, the Street Monster" was intended for younger children, "The Octopus from the Second Floor" appeals more to an older child audience.
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