DVD Release of the '57 and '64 Famous Five Serials

[Petermax]

My '57 and '64 DVD's ordered direct from B.F.I some months ago landed on my doormat this afternoon, what a pleasant surprise. I've watched a couple of episodes of Five Have a Mystery To Solve already, but the rest can wait until I replenish my supply of fine ales. One cannot watch a good film without suitable liquid refreshment!

So far I am very impressed, for here is a Famous Five film version that I assumed would never see, having missed last years screening at the N.F.T. The two DVD's are very nicely presented and come with a booklet that includes a short article by Norman Wright, Enid Blyton and the Moving Image. The picture quality of the DVD's are an absolute treat, very crisp definition and only occasional scratches. Clearly, great care indeed has been taken with the video transfer.

Overseas Blyton fans may be interested to know that the DVD's are not region coded and therefore playable anywhere. As an added bonus, English subtitles are included, easily activated via the DVD setup menu.

[Eddie Muir]

My two have just arrived in the post from BFI. What a pleasant surprise, as you say Petermax! The presentation is very impressive and I look forward to viewing them in the next day or so.

[Nick]

My two have just arrived in the post from BFI. What a pleasant surprise, as you say Petermax! The presentation is very impressive and I look forward to viewing them in the next day or so.

Grrrrr - I ordered from amazon and still have a week or so to wait!

[Julie2owlsdene]

I ordered mine from Amazon, but not long to wait now.

[Lucky Star]

Grrrrr - I ordered from amazon and still have a week or so to wait!

Same here. I'm glad you are enjoying Five Have a Mystery to Solve Petermax, for me the intriguing one will be Treasure Island as its the one I haven't seen.

[Anita Bensoussane]

I was wondering how many forumites managed to go to the showing of Five on a Treasure Island at Wareham this afternoon? Hope those who went had a smashing time! I'd be interested to know how many dogs were entered for the "Timmy Lookalike Competition" - I imagine it could be rather hard for people to combine viewing a film with entering their dog for a contest!

[Tony Summerfield]

I can answer that as I was there. I didn't see anybody I knew at all apart from Norman Wright and Viv. It was pretty full, the cinema holds 130 and they reckon that there were 110 there. Four dogs entered the Timmy competition, but one only appeared in a photo so there were only three on stage. More about this later.

The BFI have done a fabulous job and you wouldn't have known that this film was made over 50 years ago and it was great to see it on a big screen.

[Julie2owlsdene]

I'd forgotten this was being shown, today. I would have liked to see it on the big screen also. Not too worry, my DVD should arrive on Monday, hopefully. I wonder if Morgan would have made a good Timmy!!!

[RDMorrell]

Overseas Blyton fans may be interested to know that the DVD's are not region coded and therefore playable anywhere. As an added bonus, English subtitles are included, easily activated via the DVD setup menu.

I'm very glad indeed to know that! Think I might go to Amazon UK and put in an order now. Many thanks!

[Lucky Star]

My DVD of Five Have a Mystery to Solve arrived from Amazon this morning. No sign of the other one yet, I wonder when that will arrive. I haven't had time to examine it fully but the booklet with essay from Norman Wright and lots of pictures looks very good indeed. The disc is handsome as well with images of the Five on it. All in all well worth the money.

[Julie2owlsdene]

Both my DVD's arrived together from Amazon this morning. I wonder why they didn't post yours together, John?

[Wayne Pyer]

I'm the same as you John. I had the same one yesterday, but as of yet, no sign of the other.

[Nick]

My DVD of Five Have a Mystery to Solve arrived from Amazon this morning. No sign of the other one yet, I wonder when that will arrive. I haven't had time to examine it fully but the booklet with essay from Norman Wright and lots of pictures looks very good indeed. The disc is handsome as well with images of the Five on it. All in all well worth the money.

Snap, although mine arrived yesterday morning.

I'm 2 episodes in and have to say it's a real joy to see something that I thought I would never see. The transfer is pretty top notch, although the upscaling feature on the Playstation 3 does seem to magnify the few blips that are present.

What has really stood out for me throughout the 2 episodes is how prominent the charachter of Wilfred was in the serial. The young actor that plays him has really stolen the show so far. Not so sure about the casting of the 5 though - Dick looks to be about 8 and is much smaller than Ann and George appears to be more "women" than tom boy!

[Lucky Star]

[

What has really stood out for me throughout the 2 episodes is how prominent the charachter of Wilfred was in the serial. The young actor that plays him has really stolen the show so far. Not so sure about the casting of the 5 though - Dick looks to be about 8 and is much smaller than Ann and George appears to be more "women" than tom boy!

Those things were commented on extensively last August when a group of us saw that film at the BFI in London. I will have to watch it again to be sure but I remember thinking that all the actors did very well, if anything it was Julian who was a bit subdued. He didn't come across as a leader at all.

I'm not going to re-watch it until I've received the first one, Treasure Island. I haven't seen that one at all so I will watch it first and then compare. Julie it looks like you are the lucky one to have got them both. Amazon's postage policy looks a bit odd to say the least.

[Lucky Star]

Ok My copy of Five on a Treasure Island has now arrived. It looks just as impressive as the other one so I think I know what I will be doing on my next days off.