..."
The end music "Sail Away" is also memorable!
The story is based upon Jules Verne's classic "Around the World in 80 Days" (1873), but is an animated story with animals as the characters - there are a lot of different types! The story begins on the morning of Wednesday 2nd October 1872 ... Read review
When Willy Fog accepts a wager from four fellow members of the Reform Club to travel ... more
around the world in 80 days, he cannot have forseen what lies in store for him. Travelling with his valet Rigodon and tiny Tico. Fog believes that his journey against ...
When Willy Fog accepts a wager from four fellow members of the Reform Club to travel ... more
around the world in 80 days, he cannot have foreseen what lies in store for him. Travelling with his valet Rigodon and the tiny Tico, Fog believes that his journey against the clock is possible using only scheduled train and shipping services. But two unknown enemies are determined to stop him. One enemy is the disguise artist Transfer, who has been hired by Sullivan - one of the club members who bet against Fog - to stop Fog from winning his bet by all possible means. The other is Inspector Dix of the Yard, who mistakenly wants to arrest Fog for a recent bank robbery.Fogs chosen route takes him to Paris, Brindisi, Suez and Bombay. While crossing India he saves the beautiful Indian Princess Romy from certain death - and acquires an extra travelling companion. His eventful journey continues via Calcutta, Hong Kong, Yokohama, San Francisco and New York.Not only does Fog have to deal with Transfer's deliberate sabotage, but he also has to survive storms, accidents and even unfriendly Red Indians. Dix discovers his journey has been in vain when he tries to arrest Fog in Liverpool, and Fog makes it back to the Reform Club with seconds to spare. By then he has also fallen in love with Princess Romy...
When Willy Fog accepts a wager from four fellow members of the Reform Club to travel ... more
around the world in 80 days, he cannot have foreseen what lies in store for him. Travelling with his valet Rigodon and the tiny Tico, Fog believes that his journey against the clock is possible using only scheduled train and shipping services.But two unknown enemies are determined to stop him. One enemy is the disguise artist Transfer, who has been hired by Sullivan - one of the club members who bet against Fog - to stop Fog from winning his bet by all possible means. The other is Inspector Dix of the Yard, who mistakenly wants to arrest Fog for a recent bank robbery.Fog's chosen route takes him to Paris, Brindisi, Suez and Bombay. While crossing India he saves the beautiful Indian Princess Romy from certain death - and acquires an extra travelling companion. His eventful journey continues via Calcutta, Hong Kong, Yokohama, San Francisco and New York.Not only does Fog have to deal with Transfer's deliberate sabotage, but he also has to survive storms, accidents and even unfriendly Red Indians. Dix discovers his journey has been in vain when he tries to arrest Fog in Liverpool, and fog makes it back to the Reform Club with seconds to spare. By then he has also fallen in love with Princess Romy...
When the debonair Willy Fog accepts a wager from 4 fellow members of the exclusive Reform ... more
Club to travel around the world in 80 days, he cannot have foreseen what lies in store for him. Travelling with his valet, Rigodon and the tiny Tico, Fog believes that his journey against the clock is possible using only scheduled trains and shipping services. But, can Fog survive the ravaging storms, the suspicious accidents and the unfriendly Red Indians for long enough to make it back to London with time to spare?This timeless Broom Cupboard classic from Claudio Biern Boyd, who also created the excellent series Dogtanian and The Three Muskehounds, was originally shown in all its glory on BBC 1 in the 1980s, enthralling millions of children.Catch all 26 episodes included in this exciting box set, as we follow Will Fog on his exciting journey, Around The World!Based on Jules Verne's classic novel - Around the World In 80 Days.
Advantages: Theme tune, characters, and childhood memories Disadvantages: Only 5 episodes on DVD, animation is an acquired taste
...go away. 80 days around the world, we'll find a pot of gold, just sitting where the rainbow's ending. Time, we'll fight against the time, and we'll fly on the white wings of the wind….."
The end music "Sail Away" is also memorable!
The story is based upon Jules Verne's classic "Around the World in 80 Days" (1873), but is an animated story with animals as the characters - there are a lot of different ... ...Wednesday 2nd October 1872 in Savile Row. Willy Fog (a rather posh lion based upon Phileas Fogg) is getting a new manservant (Rigadon) since he has fired his last one. At 11am (as Big Ben strikes), Rigadon is late as he is arguing with his friend Tico (a cute little hamster who he made friends with at the circus). While not impressed at the lack of punctuality (Fog is obsessed with the time) after listening to Rigadon's sob story, Fog hires him. ... more
If you're a child of the 1980s like myself, I'd be surprised if you don't remember Willy Fog. Although it was originally shown in Spanish in 1983, it was first shown in the UK in 1987 when it was on Children's BBC, and dubbed over in English. I think the series was popular in many countries, I remember watching an episode in Italian when on holiday in Venice!
The series has 26 episodes, and the first five are on this dvd. I bought the set (of five) as each one came out, but now you can buy a box set with all of the episodes which might be more convenient (put it this way, you can't just buy this one dvd as you won't find out what happens). However, I didn't mind the wait between dvds. After all, when it was shown there was only one episode per week. As a 5-6 year old, the 26 weeks seemed to go on for a lifetime!
For me (and many others) the highlight of Willy Fog was the theme tune. Research on the Internet has informed me that 28th April 1987 was declared national Willy Fog day by Andy Crane (who was at the time in the broom cupboard on Children's BBC with Edd the duck!) Apparently viewers could write in to get song sheets to sing along. Although I don't actually remember this (perhaps due to being 5), there is no need to fear - after watching 26 episodes I'd be surprised if anyone couldn't sing along - besides the dvd has subtitles! You might even remember this part: "Hey now the story must go on, 'cos a lot of time has gone, we must be ready to go away. 80 days around the world, we'll find a pot of gold, just sitting where the rainbow's ending. Time, we'll fight against the time, and we'll fly on the white wings of the wind….." The end music "Sail Away" is also memorable!
The story is based upon Jules Verne's classic "Around the World in 80 Days" (1873), but is an animated story with animals as the characters - there are a lot of different types! The story begins on the morning of Wednesday 2nd October 1872 in Savile Row. Willy Fog (a rather posh lion based upon Phileas Fogg) is getting a new manservant (Rigadon) since he has fired his last one. At 11am (as Big Ben strikes), Rigadon is late as he is arguing with his friend Tico (a cute little hamster who he made friends with at the circus). While not impressed at the lack of punctuality (Fog is obsessed with the time) after listening to Rigadon's sob story, Fog hires him. He then goes to the pretigious Reform Club (a gentleman's club).
There has been a robbery at the Bank of England. The owner of the bank (Mr. Sullivan) suggests that the thief is probably still in London. Lord Guiness (an elderly goat in a wheelchair) disagrees and thinks that a thief could already have got as far as India (a report by a London newspaper has suggested that one could travel round the world in 80 days. Mr Sullivan thinks that this is ridiculous. As Lord Guiness cannot prove that it is possible (due to his old age and failing health), Willy Fog challenges Sullivan to a bet. Five others also bet that it cannot be done, and the bet is accepted.
The unlikely trio Willy Fog, Rigadon, and Tico set off on their epic adventure (although Willy Fog is not aware of Tico until episode 3). Of course things do not go to plan. Sullivan has hired a trickster and master of disguise called Transfer (who has a scary eye!) to do everything he can to stop Fog succeeding. Fog is also being followed by Inspector Dix from Scotland Yard who thinks that he robbed the Bank of England!
On this DVD the following episodes are shown: 1. The Wager 2. Bon Voyage 3. The Mysterious Mademoiselle 4. The Temple of Doom 5. The Counterfeit These episodes show what happens at the start of the adventure, their travels on trains, boats, carriages, and camels,the people they meet, and the countries they visit.
I am not sure that this will appeal to people who didn't see it in the 1980s. It is certainly a bit dated, and the animation is an acquired taste. Watching the way the characters move (they do a lot of singing and dancing) is hysterical! The quality of the picture is not great, but perhaps if this had been digitally remastered it would have taken something away from the original. Perhaps this is where it is a good thing that you can buy the DVDs separately, so you can test the water so to speak.
However, if you have seen it before, perhaps you could get the complete set and watch one episode a week (preferably when some rubbish reality TV show is on), then it'll take you half a year to watch, and it will be like your childhood all over again!
The DVD extras aren't much to shout about, a written biography of Jules Verne, and a couple of still pictures from the series. So, I wouldn't bother much with these. But otherwise, a good buy!
Advantages: Memories, educational, amusing, the theme tune! Disadvantages: Might not appeal to those who didn't see it in the 1980s
Well, the time has come for my final WillyFog review, I couldn't keep you in suspense for any longer.
Introduction to WillyFog
"Around the World with WillyFog" is a children's animated TV series from the 1980s (1987 to be precise, although it was made in Spain in 1983), based on Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 days" (it is actually said to be reasonably close to the book) but using animals as the characters. The animation is somewhat dubious, and it might not appeal to those who didn't watch it the first time around, but since I did, I was eager to watch it again when it came out on DVD.
When the DVDs were released in 2004 they were released as five separate volumes, I presume to make more money. The first four DVDs each have 5 episodes on them, and this final one has six.
My previous four reviews can ...
Advantages: Theme tune, characters, and childhood memories Disadvantages: Only 5 episodes on DVD, animation is an acquired taste
For those who have already read my reviews of volumes 1, 2 and 3 of "Around the World With WillyFog" this will be starting to get a bit boring, and I apologise. Especially as after this there is still volume 5 to come!
For those of you who haven't, my previous reviews can be found if you copy and paste the addresses below. Please note, if you are reading this as you are considering buying the DVD I would suggest that you read my review of volume 1 rather than this one, and make an overall suggestion that you purchase the box set rather than the volumes on their own. Volume 4 will not work as a stand alone DVD.
http://dvd.ciao.co.uk/AroundTheWorldWithWillyFogVol1Animate dReview5614546
http://dvd.ciao.co.uk/AroundTheWorldWithWillyFogVol2AnimatedReview5770827
http://dvd.ciao.co.uk/AroundTheWorl dWithWillyFog ...
Advantages: Theme tune, characters, and childhood memories Disadvantages: Only 5 episodes on DVD, animation is an acquired taste
in this version being animals.
An introduction and details of the first 10 episodes can be found in my previous reviews:
http://dvd.ciao.co.uk/AroundTheWorldWithWillyFogVol1Ani matedReview5614546
http://dvd.ciao.co.uk/AroundTheWorldWithWillyFogVol2AnimatedReview5770827
To summarise the introduction (copied from my previous reviews):
There has been a robbery at the Bank of England. The owner of the bank (Mr. Sullivan) suggests that the thief is probably still in London. Lord Guiness (an elderly goat in a wheelchair) disagrees and thinks that a thief could already have got as far as India (a report by a London newspaper has suggested that one could travel round the world in 80 days. Mr Sullivan thinks that this is ridiculous. As Lord Guiness cannot prove that it is possible (due to his old age ...
Willy Fox accepts a bet from members of the Reform Club that he can make it around the world in 80 days. His plan however does not include being stopped by unknown enemies. Based on the Jules Verne novel.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
REVELATION FILMS; PINNACLE VISION
Release date
23/06/2003
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
PAR 61189
Barcode
5027182611898
Author
Jules Verne
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Jules Verne biography, Character profiles
Animated
Animated
DVD Description
This animated children's series from the 1980s is based on the Jules Verne classic AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS--with animals, rather than humans, cast as the main characters. Willy Fog is a lion and a perfect English gentleman who accepts a wager from his men's club to travel around the world in 80 days. Together with his butler Rigadon and the charming rodent Tico, Willy sets out for his globe-trotting adventure, followed by the evil weasel Transfer, who has been hired to sabotage the trio's expedition. This collection gathers the first five episodes of the beloved children's series.
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