The magician holds a dice in El Rescate del Talisman.

International Knightmare Differences

By Keith McDonald

The French and Spanish adaptations make for an interesting contrast with the original gameshow. See the 10 key differences.


The similarities lie in the dungeon. Based on the much-loved Series 3 (1989), the handpainted backdrops enchanted European viewers just as they did UK viewers.

While the French version had a smaller cast and fewer characters, the Spanish version developed an expansive cast. Like Knightmare, several supporting cast members played (or voiced) multiple characters.

The differences lie in the gameplay. In most cases, quests lasted for a single episode. Each team had several 'lives' rather than one, making it a very different sort of game.

With multiple lives came greater difficulty. Despite the set-length quests, French and Spanish knights would regularly encounter Level 3 challenges - some rarely seen in Knightmare!

See the 10 key differences below.

The magician (El Mago) played by Eduardo MacGregor in the first series of El Rescate del Talisman.

1. Extra lives

2. Turning back

3. The set

4. Levels

5. Prizes

Le Chevalier du Labyrinthe board game, by MB.

6. Music

7. Magic

8. Continuity

9. Seasonal

10. Winners

You Might Also Like...

The Knightmare Before Christmas

Pickle and Treguard, Series 4 end, Christmas

Many Knightmare fans aren't so fond of the Christmas ending to Series 4 (1990). Chris Ballard explores a more positive connection between Knightmare and Christmas.

Geek Week: Tim Child Comments

Knightmare creator Tim Child interviewed by Challenge TV in 2013

The creator of Knightmare shares some thoughts and news about the Geek Week episode.

Knighty Knight Mare

The Chuckle Brothers

The Chuckle Brothers become contestants on a new series of Knightmare.

See Also