The
lowdown: 'The Box of Delights' is based on the classic children's
fantasy story of the same name, by John Masefield.
The six-part series was
first broadcast on BBC1 between 1 November 1984 and 6 December 1984, and
starred the late
Patrick Troughton as a mysterious
Punch and Judy man named Cole Hawlings. He is in possession of a small
box that
has magical powers. Hawlings
is in reality a 500-year old alchemist, and he is determined to keep the
box out of the hands
of his arch-nemesis, Abner
Brown, who will go to any lengths to get his hands on the box.
'When the Wolves Were Running'
is the first episode of the series, and introduces the key players in the
show. It begins
with schoolboy Kay Harker
returning home from boarding school for the Christmas holidays in 1934.
He befriends a strange
old man (Troughton) at a
railway station, who seems to know his name, and invites him to give a
performance of Punch and
Judy at his family's home.
Hawlings shows him the magic box, which can perform tricks such as showing
Kay a Phoenix,
the fabled bird of mythology.
Hawlings also uses the box to bring a painting to life, stepping into the
picture. Hawlings warns
Kay that the wolves are
running, and enlists young Kay's help to ensure that Abner Brown and his
wolf henchmen do not
get their hands on the box,
and Kay embark on a series of adventures as he seeks to avert the disaster
that Brown wants
to bring upon the world.
The
verdict: Patrick Troughton is brilliant as Cole Hawlings, and
the series is a marvellous example of British children's
television at its best.
Indeed, watching 'The Box of Delights' has become a family Christmas tradition
for many people,
young and old. While the
special effects are rather dated by today's standards, they are still quite
impressive (especially
given the budget that was
most likely available), and the story should appeal to children (and many
adults) of all ages.
Fans of the Harry Potter
series should enjoy the show, as there are many similiarities between them.
Trivia:
'The Box of Delights' was nominated for five BAFTAs in 1985, and won the
categories of Best Children's Programme (Entertainment/Drama), Best VTR
Editor and Best Lighting.
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