I wasn't too keen on the changes to the Famous Five for the new BBC TV show. The first episode is a 90 min story that appears on the BBC. It's set before WWII and the locations, sets and costuming is up the the usual standards of the BBC. The show was created by Nicolas Winding Refn and Mathew Read, Read wrote the 1st of 3 episodes, Tim Kirkby directed the 1st episode. I haven't really seen much of anything by any of those guys.
I really didn't like the flashy credit title. Big letters in bold and florescent colors flash quickly by, totally annoying. The cinematographer, on the other hand, is a star, he's got some absolutely great shots. Almost worth watching just for that. The show is shot in the South-West of England and in Gloucestershire.
I like the actors playing the kids and most of the adults were fine. Kip the Dog played Timmy, he's a good boy. I still don't care for Jack Gleeson, he played Joffrey Baratheon on Game Of Thrones. He just looks like he needs slapping. In GOT he was a real POS, I was glad to see him die. He's character in the TFF is not much better, he's the spoiled son of some rich folks, who needs a lot of slapping. He'd do anything to get the treasure of Kirrin Island, including trapping the kids underground to stop them getting to the treasure before him. He gets some punishment but hardly enough.
I enjoyed it but thought it was a bit pokey at times. Despite that it's a fairly good story, parts of which are like the Blyton books and some parts not not as much. If you haven't read the books or seen the previous TV series you might be entertained more. I'll watch the other two episodes but I don't think I'll like it as much as the two earlier adaptations.
Comments