One of my favourite books has always been Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. Have never really minded its episodic structure and relative aimlessness (two of the reasons as to why adapting the book is not easy, as well as Alice potentially not being an interesting character), because there is so much imagination, a wonderfully odd atmosphere, unforgettably colourful characters and encounters and prose that never failed to engage and entertain me and provoke thought.
As said already on the most part, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', 'Through the Looking Glass' also, has been adapted most laudably, most are not 100 percent faithful adaptations but as someone who always tries to something on its own merits most don't fare too shabbily. Anybody who at least attempts to adapt the story, no matter whether they screw up and how badly if so, deserves an ounce of credit for the effort. There are a few average or below versions, especially the atrocious Video Brinquedo version, but most are enjoyable, though have yet to see a "perfect" one.
Do think that it is not one of the best adaptations as a standalone, but this undeservedly relatively rare Anglia series from 1985 is still immensely charming, engaging and entertaining as well as being technically interesting and one of the few to adapt the book closely, a lot of it is like the source material come alive.
The crudeness and restrictions in some of the puppetry are still obvious, especially for the Queen of Hearts.
Loved everything to do with the Mock Turtle (though the character is crudely designed), the "Lobster Quadrille" chapter being especially well done and suitably melancholic, while finding that the "Who Stole the Tarts" didn't quite have the same impact (the tension and intrigue is still there though).
Even though the production values are not perfect, a lot of it is impressive. The amount of detail and technical that was put into the production with limited budget is a big achievement and worthy of a lot of praise. The live action court setting is a particularly well done set, while the garden is colourful and picturesque and the beach setting is atmospheric and like looking at a photograph. Setting the action against these kind of backgrounds and also using Tenniel's illustrations as inspiration for the puppetry was a stroke of genius and shows a wide-ranging technical ability. The live action is charming and lovingly filmed.
Music has a lovely understated whimsy, while the dialogue flows naturally with Carroll's writing shining wonderfully (the writing in the live-action bookend scenes with its telling-a-story device similarly charms). The storytelling has the fun, nostalgia, colour charm and wonderfully oddball natures of the source material, especially in "The Lobster Quadrille". "The Mock Turtle's Story" is also poignantly melancholic. Again a lot is packed in in a short running time but it doesn't feel cluttered or rushed.
The Alice of Giselle Andrews avoids being bland and her winsome spirit is appealing. Although Joan Sanderson battleaxe Queen of Hearts still shines, Bernard Cribbins gives my single favourite performance of the adaptation as a touchingly mournful Mock Turtle.
In conclusion, very well done fifth and final episode. 8/10
As said already on the most part, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', 'Through the Looking Glass' also, has been adapted most laudably, most are not 100 percent faithful adaptations but as someone who always tries to something on its own merits most don't fare too shabbily. Anybody who at least attempts to adapt the story, no matter whether they screw up and how badly if so, deserves an ounce of credit for the effort. There are a few average or below versions, especially the atrocious Video Brinquedo version, but most are enjoyable, though have yet to see a "perfect" one.
Do think that it is not one of the best adaptations as a standalone, but this undeservedly relatively rare Anglia series from 1985 is still immensely charming, engaging and entertaining as well as being technically interesting and one of the few to adapt the book closely, a lot of it is like the source material come alive.
The crudeness and restrictions in some of the puppetry are still obvious, especially for the Queen of Hearts.
Loved everything to do with the Mock Turtle (though the character is crudely designed), the "Lobster Quadrille" chapter being especially well done and suitably melancholic, while finding that the "Who Stole the Tarts" didn't quite have the same impact (the tension and intrigue is still there though).
Even though the production values are not perfect, a lot of it is impressive. The amount of detail and technical that was put into the production with limited budget is a big achievement and worthy of a lot of praise. The live action court setting is a particularly well done set, while the garden is colourful and picturesque and the beach setting is atmospheric and like looking at a photograph. Setting the action against these kind of backgrounds and also using Tenniel's illustrations as inspiration for the puppetry was a stroke of genius and shows a wide-ranging technical ability. The live action is charming and lovingly filmed.
Music has a lovely understated whimsy, while the dialogue flows naturally with Carroll's writing shining wonderfully (the writing in the live-action bookend scenes with its telling-a-story device similarly charms). The storytelling has the fun, nostalgia, colour charm and wonderfully oddball natures of the source material, especially in "The Lobster Quadrille". "The Mock Turtle's Story" is also poignantly melancholic. Again a lot is packed in in a short running time but it doesn't feel cluttered or rushed.
The Alice of Giselle Andrews avoids being bland and her winsome spirit is appealing. Although Joan Sanderson battleaxe Queen of Hearts still shines, Bernard Cribbins gives my single favourite performance of the adaptation as a touchingly mournful Mock Turtle.
In conclusion, very well done fifth and final episode. 8/10