Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas. I'm having a bit of a break at the moment while I try and ...
Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas. I'm having a bit of a break at the moment while I try and sort out some things (perhaps Ciao will do the same!), but will hopefully be back in the new year.
Member since:15.11.2006
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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!
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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 ...
![Around The World With Willy Fog [DVD] [1981]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/117879773.jpg "Around The World With Willy Fog [DVD] [1981]")
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