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Meet the Famous Five: Julian (Marcus Harris), Dick (Gary Russell), Anne (Jennifer Thanisch), their cousin George (Michelle Gallagher) and her dog Timmy.
Ruined castles and rolling moors; mysterious islands and hidden caves: the five can find adventure wherever they are. Join them at Kirrin Cottage, or away on their holidays as they encounter smugglers, scoundrels and spies. Thankfully, Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny are always around to offer lashings of ginger beer.
Based on the best-selling Enid Blyton series of books, this classic 70 s TV series also features the talent of classic British actors, including; Patrick Troughton, Ronald Fraser, Brian Glover, David Rappaport and an early appearance from Rupert Graves.
All 26 episodes of the Famous Five!
Contains english subtitles
Ruined castles and rolling moors; mysterious islands and hidden caves: the five can find adventure wherever they are. Join them at Kirrin Cottage, or away on their holidays as they encounter smugglers, scoundrels and spies. Thankfully, Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny are always around to offer lashings of ginger beer.
Based on the best-selling Enid Blyton series of books, this classic 70 s TV series also features the talent of classic British actors, including; Patrick Troughton, Ronald Fraser, Brian Glover, David Rappaport and an early appearance from Rupert Graves.
All 26 episodes of the Famous Five!
Contains english subtitles
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 83 people found the following review helpful
By M. A. Craig
Format:DVD
It is amazing how this gem of a series has been bypassed by DVD distributors for so long. This classic series was shown only once on ITV in 1978 (episodes 1 - 13) and in 1979 (episodes 14 - 26), and NEVER repeated following the demise of the regional ITV company that made it (for those too young to know, every 10 years, various companies had to bid to transmit their programmes on the ITV network, hence the old fashioned regions of "Granada, HTV, Anglia, etc; Southern TV which made this disappeared in 1981 when the franchise for the south of England was won by TVS). Interestingly, many viewers never got to see the very last episode, part 2 of "Five go Down to the Sea" as - just days after part 1 was screened - ITV was hit by a long and protracted strike through several months of the summer of 1979.... the days when, with only 3 channels in the UK, we had to make do with just BBC1 and BBC2. When ITV flickered back to life in the early autumn, some ITV stations showed the last two episodes, but some didn't.
At least viewers were lucky enough when the series was one of the first to be released on sell-thru video when the home video market took off in the early to mid 1980s. So how come it has taken until now to be officially released on DVD? According to the Enid Blyton Society website, it was "copyright issues" which prevented this from happening, with DVD distributors apparently reluctant to release it incase someone popped out of the woodwork claiming the copyright belonged to them.
So Congratulations to the German company Koch Media for finally doing what UK distributors should have done over 10 years ago. "German?" you ask! This is because the series has remained extremely popular in Germany where it was repeated on tv a number of times over the years.... Read more ›
At least viewers were lucky enough when the series was one of the first to be released on sell-thru video when the home video market took off in the early to mid 1980s. So how come it has taken until now to be officially released on DVD? According to the Enid Blyton Society website, it was "copyright issues" which prevented this from happening, with DVD distributors apparently reluctant to release it incase someone popped out of the woodwork claiming the copyright belonged to them.
So Congratulations to the German company Koch Media for finally doing what UK distributors should have done over 10 years ago. "German?" you ask! This is because the series has remained extremely popular in Germany where it was repeated on tv a number of times over the years.... Read more ›
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Papermate
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
My favourite programme as a child of the 1970s and early 1980s, I often wondered whether this would ever materialise on DVD. Not only has it finally arrived, but on receiving my copy, I was releived to see that this has been treated as something special, with its packaging and extras.
THE BOX SET: It does not come in a slip-case box, but is made in the form of an A5 book that unfolds into four panels which hold the six discs, and has a full-colour, high quality 10-page booklet attached in the middle. This contains cast and location photographs from the shows, covers of the various annuals, video tape covers and original film cannisters. Co-writer Gail Renard gives a lengthy account from the time with updates on where key figures are now. There then follows a brief synopses of each of the twenty six episodes.
THE DISCS: The twenty six episodes are spread over the six discs. DISC THREE contains a trailer and 50 minute interview with Gail Reynard, Marcus Harris (Julian), Gary Russell (Dick) and my childhood and teenage crush, Jennifer Thanisch(!). For fans and the curious alike, this is the jewel in the crown. It's wonderful to see them as they are now, all together and giving some wonderful accounts of this time which they all fondly remember. Their comparisons of the changes in Health & Safety is particularly amusing for people of my generation! DISC SIX contains numerous stills of the cast on-set and locations both then and now, various annual and video covers, a short 'Tribute to actors' which is basically just a segue of scenes of the locations today with some moving music. For some reason, there is also a repeat of the trailer.... Read more ›
THE BOX SET: It does not come in a slip-case box, but is made in the form of an A5 book that unfolds into four panels which hold the six discs, and has a full-colour, high quality 10-page booklet attached in the middle. This contains cast and location photographs from the shows, covers of the various annuals, video tape covers and original film cannisters. Co-writer Gail Renard gives a lengthy account from the time with updates on where key figures are now. There then follows a brief synopses of each of the twenty six episodes.
THE DISCS: The twenty six episodes are spread over the six discs. DISC THREE contains a trailer and 50 minute interview with Gail Reynard, Marcus Harris (Julian), Gary Russell (Dick) and my childhood and teenage crush, Jennifer Thanisch(!). For fans and the curious alike, this is the jewel in the crown. It's wonderful to see them as they are now, all together and giving some wonderful accounts of this time which they all fondly remember. Their comparisons of the changes in Health & Safety is particularly amusing for people of my generation! DISC SIX contains numerous stills of the cast on-set and locations both then and now, various annual and video covers, a short 'Tribute to actors' which is basically just a segue of scenes of the locations today with some moving music. For some reason, there is also a repeat of the trailer.... Read more ›
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Bill Hutchin
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
At last, I get to see the final minutes of each episode I had to miss in order to get to cubs on time! This beautifully presented collectors set (laid out as a book) is capable of taking pride of place on any book or video shelf. After searching through many other productions for some years (including some poor VHS issues) I must say that, in my opinion, this is the definitive production.
On viewing again after 30-odd years the first few stories did sit a little uncomfortably (it is all too easy to see the inspiration for the irreverent `Five go Mad...') but as the style settled and as the actors matured in their roles I really did find the stories exciting and quite gripping. Or maybe I was simply revisiting my childhood mind-set?
Anyway, with some pretty good production values (both originally, and in this DVD edition), superb character actors, classic 70's incidental music, and super scenery around the South Coast (such as the Solent and New Forest) it is almost a shame that the episodes were never longer. And this collection, at 700 minutes, is great value for money. I thoroughly recommend `The Famous Five - The Complete Collectors Edition', especially to those who wish to recapture their youth!
On viewing again after 30-odd years the first few stories did sit a little uncomfortably (it is all too easy to see the inspiration for the irreverent `Five go Mad...') but as the style settled and as the actors matured in their roles I really did find the stories exciting and quite gripping. Or maybe I was simply revisiting my childhood mind-set?
Anyway, with some pretty good production values (both originally, and in this DVD edition), superb character actors, classic 70's incidental music, and super scenery around the South Coast (such as the Solent and New Forest) it is almost a shame that the episodes were never longer. And this collection, at 700 minutes, is great value for money. I thoroughly recommend `The Famous Five - The Complete Collectors Edition', especially to those who wish to recapture their youth!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Wow,this is great and long overdue. I grew up in the 80s so missed this series. It is brilliant-so true to the books and reflects the books so well.
It arrived today and already on episode 5!
Lovely packaging and info too
A must buy for any Famous Five fan!
It arrived today and already on episode 5!
Lovely packaging and info too
A must buy for any Famous Five fan!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Unlike the adventure series I bought recently, the Good old Famous Five, hold precious memories for me. The episodes are good adaptations of Blytons books, the dvds are remastered and the quality of picture and sound are excellentm especially when one considers these were shot back in the 1970s.
Brilliant for kids and adults alike who grew up with the tv show or reading the books.
Brilliant for kids and adults alike who grew up with the tv show or reading the books.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Famous Five-excellent dvd-white elephant in the room though
I have always been a big fan of this show when I was a child and was delighted to see it released finally on DVD (no more paying the internet pirates for copies of the show taped... Read more
Published 2 days ago by stickman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Famous Five
watched it when I was young,brings back great memories.what an annoying theme song, but you have to laugh. quality stuff
Published 13 days ago by el
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for kids of all ages
My children had read all the books and we are all now really enjoying watching the DVDs together. A great watch to share with the children
Published 21 days ago by Fionnuala
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent productions
This is a must watch for all Famous Five fans, or just plain fans of Enid Blyton. The Famous Five at their best, not forgetting Timmy, and a great bunch of well picked actors who... Read more
Published 22 days ago by MRS R SIMPSON
5.0 out of 5 stars
VERY WELL RECEIVED
I bought this DVD for my grand-daughter who lives abroad. She absolutely loved the stories and hoped there were more available, but, from what I can see, there does not appear to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by MAMA
5.0 out of 5 stars
Timeless Telly
OK I'm a child of the 70's and I liked this programme then. Having watched the series again I think it stands up well against todays offerings, and I'm sure children of today... Read more
Published 2 months ago by SunnyW
3.0 out of 5 stars
Well Received
My eight year old daughter watched these dvd's back to back and enjoyed them very much..I tried to watch them with her, but found them very dated. Read more
Published 2 months ago by R. Kerr
5.0 out of 5 stars
German version - subtitles are fixed
This item has soundtracks in German and English. The English soundtrack has automatic German subtitles (i.e. they cannot be switched off).
Published 2 months ago by C. X. Linton-Willoughby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bring back Famous Five
My 8 year old son loves The Famous Five books and kept asking about a video. I was so happy when I found this set on amazon. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs P L Wiggin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Famous Five
Bought for my grandaughters ages 7 & 9, they rated it 5 stars and loved it, they look forward to weekends watching it over and over.
Published 2 months ago by karen
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