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The Borrowers
RRP: £24.99
Our Price: £16.20 (subject to change)
One of our all time favourite BBC adaptations - Both seasons
Review date: 2005-12-09 Rating: 10 out of 10
Faithfully based on Mary Norton's books from the 50's, my son (9) and daughter (11) loved the two BBC 'borrowers' series, first screened in 1993 and 1994 - this twin DVD has both series (6 separate half hour episodes per season, 12 in all). Picture quality is quite good (better than the older BBC Narnia sets). If you don't want to buy, the DVDs are ideal for renting.
My kids really enjoyed the 1997 film version, but to be honest this BBC series is far darker, being played straight with no slapstick. Despite the Borrower's amusing antics and the witty script, it's got many quite tense moments and is all the better for it. The special effects in The Borrowers are actually very good - certainly more than adequate - although a lot of the atmosphere is derived from the superb 'miniature' sets. It's also set in the original isolated 1920'ish shires countryside, about the time of Norton's childhood, in a period when children were more strictly brought up and would think nothing of keeping big secrets from the adults.
The 'Borrowers' are a family of tiny people, just a few inches high, who live in a miniature world under the floorboards of an old country house in England. Pod, Homily and their thirteen-year-old daughter Arrietty collect things for their miniature home by "borrowing" food scraps and oddments which are no longer missed by the humans in the house. There are many famous faces in the cast, including Ian Holm (simply great as the sensitive and secretive Pod), Penelope Wilton (the house proud Homily), Sian Philips (the sinister and strict 'human' Mrs Driver, scourge of the human boy George unfortunate enough to be left in her care) and Gemma Jones ('human' Muriel Menzies). The principal child actors who play Anrietty, George and Spillar are also top notch, interacting completely convincingly with humans and borrower alike. These adaptations are a real delight both for any new audience, adult or child, and for those revisiting the series ten years on. Personally I slightly preferred the first seasons (DVD 1) storyline, although season two (DVD 2) follows on straight from the end of the first one (from memory the same as the books).
Being presented in serial form as screened, the Borrowers DVD is ideal for one or two episodes a night before bedtime. The pretty beginning and end credits and catchy theme tune really set the pace as the serials are always scripted to the cliffhanger. Plus there's no adverts, previews giving away the main plot elements from next week's episode or anyone prattling over the credits and music. The original 'Borrowers' books are a good fairly easy read as well for later preteens. Just a shame the BBC didn't continue with a few more of the Borrower's books with this superb cast.
Similar Products
- Five Children And It
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- The Borrowers [1997]
- The Complete Borrowers: "The Borrowers"; "The Borrowers Afield"; "The Borrowers Afloat"; "The Borrowers Aloft"; "The Borrowers Avenged"; "Poor Stainless"
Reviews
Highly imaginative
Review date: 2005-11-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
This highly imaginative story really entranced my 5 year old, he couldn't wait to get the second series. Quite dramatic stories about the struggles of being 6 inches tall. Well acted and highly recommended.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Penelope Wilton
Ian Holm
Rebecca Callard
Creators:
Ian Holm (Primary Contributor)
Penelope Wilton (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503157920
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2004-10-04
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 343 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)