If there is anyone over the age of 25 reading this review who has not heard of Trumpton, Chigley or Camberwick Green - whatever were you doing during your early childhood?
I am leaving myself open to a lot of potential ribbing with this review because I bought this DVD for my son (honestly) - when he was two months old! Ok, I accept that the recommended age group is a little more in the region of four years old, but it was a case of seeing it and deciding to buy it there and then in case they sold out (well, you can never be too sure can you?)
Ok, so at two months old, my son was never going to be interested in watching it, but as a 'responsible' mother, I thought I should have a very quick glance through the DVD, just to make sure it would make acceptable viewing for him, you understand. Now, for those of you who are getting suspicious at my reasons for buying this DVD, I freely admit that it did take me on a short nostalgia trip back to the 1970's when I would watch these programs to my heart's content. Ah, happy days…
*** So what is it all about? *** =======================
Trumpton, Chigley and Camberwick Green are three neighbouring English villages in kiddies' t.v. land. Each episode tells a story which centres around a specific character. This is the land where the characters talk via the narrator. Just as well really as you will note that none of the characters have a mouth. The characters themselves are not really puppets, but are animated characters made of what looks like sponge. Something you never notice when you
are watching it at 5 years of age!
*** DVD Layout *** ===============
The set comprises three DVD's, one relating to each village.
The menu to each disc is set out in relatively the same way. The characters are moving and doing various things while you look down the episode list to decide which episode you wish to wash. There are three 'signposts' pointing you in different directions to the three villages.
*** Disc 1 - Camberwick Green *** ===========================
Camberwick Green is a small village in the county of Trumptonshire. Each episode begins in the same way with a clown rolling the credits up, and a music box from which the central character in the episode arises from.
There are 13 episodes on this disc relating to the following characters:-
Peter the Postman Windy Miller who runs the windmill* (see note below) Mr Crockett the mechanic Dr Mopp with a beard that completely encircles his whole face Mr Murphy the baker Mrs Honeyman the local gossip PC McGarry the local bobby Mr Carroway the fishmonger Farmer Bell Paddy Murphy who helps his dad in the baker's shop Captain Snort (no drugs jokes please) captain of the military academy Roger Varley the chimney sweep Mr Dagenham the salesman (yes, they get everywhere)
*Although most of the cast have taken early retirement, you may have noticed that Windy Miller is making good use of his equity card by appearing in a bread advert and contemplating taking up jogging, if only to pursue the young blonde who runs past his windmill every day! Next stop - Hollywood!
*** Disc 2 - Trumpton *** ====================
Again, there are 13 episodes on this disc and the stories are fairly similar to those of Camberwick Green. On this disc, each episode has been given a title, rather than merely the name of the main character, and each episode begins with the immortal words "Here is a clock - the Trumpton clock". And who's heard of those hunky firemen Hugh Pugh Barney McGrew Cuthbert Dibble & Grubb? Well, Chigley is where they all live and serve the community in the event of fire.
The episodes are as follows:-
Nick Fisher the Bill Poster Miss Lovelace & The Mayor's Hat Mrs Cobbit & the Ice Cream Man Miss Lovelace & the Statue The Mayor's Birthday Telephones The Rag & Bone Man (young children may not know what these are) Mr Platt & the Painter The window cleaner Cutherbert's Morning off The Plumber Pigeons The Greenhouse
*** Disc 3 - Chigley *** ==================
Still running with the same genre of Camberwick Green and Trumpton, this disc also contains 13 episodes.
Lord Bellborough's Secret Bessie to the Rescue The Balloon The Fountain The Garden Wall Binnie and Bessie Lord Bellborough's Lucky Day Trouble with the Crane Clay for Mr Farthing A Present for Lord Bellborough Apples Galore Willie Munn The Broken Bridge
*** Presentation *** ===============
I really cannot fault the way in which this DVD trio has been put together. The case itself is threefold, and each DVD comes in a vibrant colour. The Camberwick Green DVD is red and contains drawings of the characters on the actual disc. The Trumpton DVD is blue and the Chigley DVD is green, again, each containing drawings of the characters on the disc.
The back of the case basically describes characters in each of the villages and gives an overall description of the village life itself.
But that's not all! The DVD case itself is also contained in an outer box, vibrant red in colour and very colourful pictures of the main characters on the front.
*** Why I would recommend this DVD *** ================================
This is REAL children's t.v. entertainment. I dare anyone to watch just one episode, and then compare it to some of the programs for young children today. You have the likes of Teletubbies who only seem to be able to manage gibberish. With these three DVD's, the characters are supposed to represent real people who have proper conversations (well, sort of) and there is actually a story in each episode. These programs were made in the days when program writers concentrated on pure entertainment and fun, rather than having to get a point across, unlike nowadays.
The episodes are also just long enough for the child not to get bored. They get on with the story and that's it. Finished.
*** Any bad points? *** ==================
Only one. Although all the episodes have been put onto DVD, they are the original episodes ,so if you look closely, you can see a bit of a grainy picture so it is not the high quality that you would expect from a DVD.
I bought this DVD in February 2005 and paid £9.49. A bargain in my opinion considering you are buying three DVD's of original programs.
*** Overall Opinion *** =================
I think this is an excellent DVD. It is of course intended for young children, and the one drawback therefore is the fact that they will not recognise any of the characters as it has not been on t.v. for many years. However, it does make good viewing and they should enjoy it. On the other hand, if you buy it for your child and they are not interested, my recommendation would be to stick the kettle on, settle down and take a trip back in time…
Thanks for reading.
Carol
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
My mum used to force me to watch stuff like this and i'm glad she did, the amount of times the firemans names have come up in pub quizzes is unbelieveable. the clangers and noggin the nog were amongst others..Ahh happy days......Krisp
anonymili 03.12.2005 22:14
Ah memories! Thanks for the reminder! x
soamiguy 03.12.2005 08:34
I love trumpton!! Grew up with these amazing programs. Watching kids tv the second time round with my little boy I have to say I'm a bit dissapointed with what I've seen. Ah well at least we have these classics on DVD now! Great review, Rob
![The Complete Collection - Trumpton / Chigley / Camberwick Green [DVD] [1969]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/70100668.jpg "The Complete Collection - Trumpton / Chigley / Camberwick Green [DVD] [1969]")
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