DESERT CRUSADER (1968-1969) – This French television series is also known as Thibaud, ou les Croisades, Thibaud, il Cavaliere Bianco, Thibaud, der Weisse Ritter and other variations of those titles. The color series ran two seasons of 13 episodes each, with those episodes lasting around 26 minutes apiece.
The setting for the storylines is the Holy Land and the trails leading pilgrims to and from that Middle East location during the fragile peace in between the First and Second Crusades. Our hero is played by Andre Lawrence and is named Thibaud (pronounced tee-bow, like Tim Tebow’s last name).
Thibaud and his sidekick Blanchot (Raymond Meunier) are part of the knightly efforts to safeguard people making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He often works alongside the Knights Templar but doesn’t seem to be an official member of their Order.
Our hero Thibaud is a fascinating departure from the standard full-bore Crusader ready to go to war. He is the son of a French Baron and an Arab Christian woman, so he grew up exposed to elements of both East and West. Most of his and Blanchot’s efforts center around keeping the uneasy peace by gallantly outfighting roving gangs of violent, conniving people with hidden agendas, be they Christian OR Muslim. Continue reading
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