The Borrowers - Series 1 (DVD)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Good
Special Effects	Good
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Short Episode format
Disadvantages:	Only 2 series were made

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

What started as a quick flick through available programmes to watch on Teleport TV has led to a mild obsession with early 90's BBC series The Borrowers. Adapted from the novels by Mary Norton (which I haven't read) The Borrowers was made into a 6 part series for children and was originally screened in 1992.

The Borrowers are basically little people (around 6 inches high) who like to borrow things from human 'beans' to use in their own homes. The Borrowers stars Ian Holm (most recently as Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings) as Pod Clock, the father, Penelope Wilton (recently in the new Doctor Who) as Homily Clock, the mother and Rebecca Callard as Arrietty Clock, the daughter and follows them through the trials and tribulations of being the only ones of their kind left in the house, having relatives who'd been seen and had had to leave the house. Being seen themselves and actually finding out that some human beings were not too bad after all.

Holm gives us a lovely performance as Pod, he is the one that has to provide both food and accessories for all of the family on his borrowing sessions, yet he manages to show a stubbornness and tenderness quite out of character from the first episode as the series progresses, even a slight vulnerability is easy to see. His caring nature for his on-screen wife is present at all times and I was not all that surprised to find out that Holm and Wilton were married off screen at the time The Borrowers was filmed and released onto our screens.

Pod loves the outside (in his roots) but lives indoors under the clock (hence the Clock family), his love of the outdoors has been passed on to daughter Arrietty who longs to learn how to borrow and to leave the family home under the kitchen floor. Arrietty spends most of her time sitting by a grate in the wall gazing at the outdoors and writing in her diary. Pod is very protective of his daughter yet sees the benefits of teaching her to borrow. This is where the story really begins. Pod stresses to Arrietty the dangers of being upstairs and how it is important to not be seen by any human beans.

Rebecca Callard plays Arrietty well, with just the right amount of cheek and humour which complements Pod's slightly worrying nature very well. Callard also manages to portray a sense of awe in Pod's abilities and knowledge of borrowing, something that makes the 'family' unit seem more normal, almost as if it were real.

Penelope Wilton really annoyed me at the beginning of the programme but perhaps this was because she was unable to do anything but. Homily is rather a worrier who wants to protect herself from worrying about Arrietty, so fights Arrietty's desire to go out and borrow. What we do see is that the character of Homily is allowed to develop away from this and become more independent and proud of her daughter and husband's achievements. Wilton is a delight to watch as Homily and interacts with Holm as if they were really wife and husband (which they were at the time). Whether this is down to the superb screenplay (Richard Carpenter of Catweazel fame), which has some lovely comedic moments thrown in, or acting I'll leave up to you to work out.

The only slight disappointment is the casting of George (Paul Cross), who befriends the Clock Family. I just can't see past his nasally whiny voice and certainly can't understand why Arrietty seems to value his friendship so much. I would much rather go for the enigmatic Spiller (played by Daniel Newman).

The 'baddy' of the series, Mrs Driver played by Sian Phillips, reverts to type and is dressed in black most of the time, she also speaks with a slight hiss. With all the characters in the programme she makes you believe that she actually really hates the little people and would love to do them lots of harm. Phillips plays Mrs Driver with just the right amount of bitterness, and contempt towards George and the mistress of the house (who you never get to see).

The series works mostly because of the way that the Clock Family are able to use the items that they have 'borrowed'. The programme is not all about making the actors small but rather about making the props BIG. I seem to remember seeing a 'Making of…' type programme about The Borrowers when I was younger and the BBC did actually make items that were scaled up models of the real thing. Thus when you see Pod with ½ a pair of nail scissors, they are actually recognisable for what they are and seem real. We see Arrietty writing holding the lead of a pencil stump, with the pencil bit resting on her shoulder (she is the only Clock that is able to read by the way) matches lighting candles (both of which are huge in comparison to the little people) that take 2 people to extinguish.

The interaction between the Borrowers and Humans (yes there is some!) is slightly less realistic but by switching to the actors faces you don't actually notice it that much. Seeing as this series was made in the early 90's the effects are actually quite good. The differences between the obvious 'borrower set' and what must have been 'green' screen work are plain to see, some of the definition and quality is lost in comparison to modern film. The Borrowers did however walk away with 2 BAFTA's, one of which was for best photography (the other for best Children's series).

The storytelling is lovely and each episode ends with a cliff hanger that makes you nervous for the family (I won't spoil any of the story). The series is compelling viewing and something I would recommend for families of all ages. If you have seen the Hollywood film of the Borrowers you will be amazed how different (and better) the BBC series is. You will certainly not be disappointed.

The Borrowers does stand up to the test of time and has been released on DVD under the BBC Children's Classics although those of you with Telewest will be able to catch it on Teleport TV.