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Monkey! - Thirteen Re-Dubbed Episodes [1979]
![Monkey! - Thirteen Re-Dubbed Episodes [1979]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51b1DAlMV2L._SL160_.jpg)
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Editorial
Synopsis
The thirteen episodes of MONKEY previously unseen in English, have been re-dubbed by the crew who originally dubbed the rest of the series, first broadcast in the UK back in 1979. Join the veritable voices of Miriam Margoyles, Burt Kwouk, Andrew Sachs and David Collings, as Monkey, Sandy, Tripitaka and Pigsy, on these previously missing adventures of mystical Monkey magic in the ancient orient.
Monkeys missing 13 episodes come home ...
Review date: 2007-07-17 Rating: 10 out of 10
So here at last are the missing 13 episodes from the second series of Monkey - the Japanese interpretation of a famous book about a Holy Priest from China who is accompanied by three spirits in human form on a journey to India to recover some scrolls that will enlighten the world. The BBC acquired all of the first seasosns 26 episodes, but mysteriously only 13 of the second seasons 26 episodes, and had them dubbed into English by such people as John Sachs (Manuel, Fawlty Towers) and Miriam Margoyles (Lady Whiteadder & The Spanish Emphanta from Blackadder) and ran them as one series. Anyone from the early and mid 80's will remember this show with affection; its unusual blend of mysticism, magic, battles and arrays of colourful demons and monsters was a winner for school kids and some adults alike. Although it was in some places tacky, and the effects were pretty basic sometimes, it never took anything away from its charm, and the series developed a massive cult following, possibly due in no small part to the hilarous lines of dubbing which enlivened the show. In the late 90's Fabulous Films released 13 DVD's of the complete two series, each containing three original episodes as done by the BBC, and one of the missing episodes, albeit undubbed and in its original Japanese voices. Now this release reunites those people who did the dubbing for the BBC and they have dubbed these thirteen episodes in the style of their predecessors.
The thirteen episodes themselves are great to see, posessing all the Monkeyisms that abound in the shows previous episodes, although some of the story lines do seem a trifle darker (perhaps the reason the Beeb only picked half of them). There are some great episodes, one which stood out for me was Monkey's duel with a giant vulture type bird in "The Land With Two Suns" - a typical example of how charming, crazy and yet hysterically funny the show could be. As for the dubbing, its great to hear those original voices again 20 years on, and they sound pretty good, especially the rasping no-nonsense voice of Monkey. The only voice that seemed rather laboured was that of Pigsy, which seemed to lack some gusto, but well you cant have it all. Also, in 20 years, a few new mild 'profanities' have been added, which don't seem to do it any harm (Sh*t being an example !). The last disc also contains two small featurettes about the reuniting of the dubbing cast and behind the scenes.
All in all, a great boxset to own. I'm not sure its worth Amazons current price of £40, but if you see one cheap, go for it - a true Monkey fan wont be disappointed.
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Product Details/Specifications
Artist(s):
Monkey
Recording label: Fabulous Films Ltd.
Manufacturer: Fabulous Films Ltd.
EAN: 5030697007735
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2004-09-27
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Running time: 625 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1979
Language: English (Original Language)