I was an avid fan of the Famous Five books as a kid. Although I noted even as a kid Enid Blyton's peculiar view of society. Those queer folks, those dodgy gypsies and peculiar foreign types.
Since getting lampooned by The Comic Strip on the opening night Channel 4, Five Go Mad in Dorset back in 1982. The goose was truly cooked for the Famous Five at a midnight feast with lashings of ginger ale to boot.
Filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn is not a name you would associate with children's television. He has decided to update Enid Blyton's characters with the blessing of her estate. I'm sure they could do with additoonal book sales before copyright expires in 2038. Kids these days they are into Harry Potter.
Set just before the second world war. Tomboy George rescues a dog called Timmy and finds something strange is going on in Kirrin Island. The island is owned by his father but he refuses to step foot in it.
Joined by her three cousins from London for the summer. Julian, Dick and Anne band together to find out more about the curse of Kirrin Island that dates back to the Knights Templar.
Hot on their heels is the dastardly Wentworth. He is after a goblet which could allow someone to see the future and even bend time.
Despite being aimed at kids. This beautifully filmed, much better than some primetime dramas. The inspiration is obviously Indiana Jones/Harry Potter/The Da Vinci Code.
Although it is a wonder why the kids never twigged the hammy Wentworth is up to no good much earlier.