Children of the New Forest (1998) User Reviews

A bit dark and moody film

[Sylviastel · 7/10 · 20 January 2018]

I didn't read the novel or am familiar with it. The story is about life long ago and far away in England during the time of Sherwood Forest. The family includes four children and a surprisingly discovery in the barn. Life was brutal there. The characters especially the children are sad in so many ways. There is a somewhat happy ending. Malcolm Storry does a good job in playing the children's uncle who cares for them. Death and starvation is common in the new forest for the children. They have to learn to survive by their wits and will. The movie is satisfactory.

Accurate adaption

[mickyg · 8/10 · 16 January 1999]

An example of the "Classic Childrens Sunday Afternoon Serial", so well done by BBC. True to Marryats book. Played for content rather than style.

Excellent programme despite plot changes

[hannah-doney · 10/10 · 8 August 2012]

The book is my absolute favourite, my parents read it to me when i was little, so when i saw this advertised i was extremely excited, and i was not disappointed! While the show doesn't 100% follow the storyline of the book, the changes made are very agreeable, -Making the characters a little older makes sense! -Leaving out Edward's journey to the King -Not introducing Chaloner and Grenville and to be honest they cut out the stuff that wasn't necessary, and added in things which complemented the storyline. This is my favourite TV show ever, and i'd totally recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the book, or anyone who loves the old Sunday night costume drama!

Marryat corrupted

[snaunton · 2/10 · 2 September 2001]

This is a miserable distortion of Captain Marryat's fine novel for young people; importing modern motivations and behaviour into this thoughtful and humane story, abandoning the theme of life in the forest for a wholly invented adventure yarn. This series is awful, bearing no comparison with the fine BBC series of the early 1970s. Avoid it - read the book.