Only 5 episodes on DVD, animation is an acquired taste
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
One of my earliest reviews on Ciao was of volume 1 of "Around the World With Willy Fog". This animated series probably most famous for its catchy theme tune was first shown in the UK on Children's BBC in 1987, and brings back many happy childhood memories for me.
Introduction to Willy Fog
The series had 26 episodes, and with one being shown each week it seemed to go on forever (enough time in fact to go around the world and back again). The series is based upon the classic book "Around the World in 80 days" by Jules Verne, with all the characters in this version being animals.
Without wanting to plagiarise myself, a bit more background information and some possibly interesting but useless information can be found in my previous review - http://dvd.ciao.co.uk/Around_The_World_With_Willy_Fog_Vol_1_Animated__Re view_5614546
If you have no desire to read that, then I suppose I still need to introduce the story, so will copy and paste that part of the review here (apologies if you have just read it!):
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.
Willy Fog with his new manservant Rigadon (and Tico) set off round the world. But in addition to the challenge of travelling around the world in 80 days, Fog also has to contend with Transfer (evil trickster and master of disguise hired by Sullivan to ensure that Fog fails), and Inspector Dix from Scotland Yard who thinks that Fog is the Bank of England thief.
Buying the DVD
I got each DVD as it came out (back in 2004) at approximately £3 per DVD, although now it can be purchased as a box set available currently for approximately £10 on Amazon, which works out cheaper. You will therefore probably not be purchasing this DVD unless you have already bought volume 1 separately.
Willy Fog Volume 2
Episode 6 - Bombay adventures - With 62 days remaining, the citizens of London are following Fog's progress and making bets as to whether or not he will do it. Fog and his companions (Rigadon, Tico and Brigadier Corn) sail into Bombay, and have made up for any lost time. They are well on track for completing their task! However, the evil Transfer is disguised as Fog and once more tries to sabotage the trip, but of course doesn't succeed as his disguise is so convincing!
Episode 7 - The End of the Line - 61 says to go, and Willy Fog and his companions are on the train to Calcutta. However, the train comes to an unscheduled stop in the middle of the jungle (the railway has not yet been completed) and they are stranded. How will they get to Calcutta now? Transfer comes up with a plan involving an elephant.
Episode 8 - A Deadly Jungle - 60 days left to complete the journey and Willy Fog is starting to get suspicious that their elephant (led by a disguised Transfer) doesn't seem to be going in the right direction. Meanwhile the owner of the elephant and Inspector Dix and Constable Bully are trying to catch up with them.
Episode 9 - The Remarkable Rescue of Romy - There are only 59 days yet and the people of London are still eagerly following the progress of Willy Fog - there has been no word from them since they entered the jungle. Willy Fog and his companions fear that they are in grave danger as a funeral procession is coming by - it is the funeral of a very important man, and the widow Princess Romy is being forced to join her husband on the funeral pyre. Willy Fog cannot allow this to happen, and puts himself and the others' lives in danger to save the beautiful Romy - besides, they are 12 hours ahead of schedule, and Fog is a true Englishman!
Episode 10 - A Present for Parsi - As Romy is nursed back to health, Fog and his companions manage to escape their predators. But they don't know which direction to go in - thankfully the elephant's owner (and best friend of the elephant) finally catches up with them and guides them the rest of the way to Allahabad (where they can get a train to Calcutta). Fog rewards the Parsi guide generously for his help. Still in fear for her life, Princess Romy decides to continue the journey with Fog. Meanwhile Transfer has not given up!
Extras
The Story So far - a written summary of the 5 previous episodes. Character Profiles - very brief profiles of Willy Fog, Rigodon & Tico Gallery - Some random stills from the cartoon - not really sure of the point of this! Web information - a link to www.revfilms.com is given.
Conclusion
This is a great series, although as I said in my review of volume 1, it might not appeal to those who didn't see it first in the 1980s. The animation is somewhat dubious, as is the picture quality. But it's certainly worth investing in the set if you did enjoy it the first time round.
Although I am saying that I would recommend this DVD, in reality I wouldn't recommend it unless you have bought volume 1 already. Actually, even then I wouldn't as if you buy all 5 DVDs it'll cost £15, and if you've already bought volume 1, then you still might as well pay £10 for the complete set and save £1, and give volume 1 to someone else as a cheapskate birthday present.
Look out for reviews of volumes 3, 4 and 5 - they will be pretty much exactly the same - enjoy!!!
Other
DVD lasts approximately 120 minutes
For some reason, while volumes 1, 3 and 5 have a U rating whilst volumes 2 and 4 have a PG rating - as the complete set has a U rating I think we can assume that this really should be a U rating too!
