The Return of the Borrowers

I recently dug out the videos of this charming TV series and it's still as good today as it was 10 years ago! I used to watch this religiously when I was 7 years old. You don't get television programmes like this anymore - an amazing cast featuring the likes of Ian Holm and Penelope Wilton who are perfect in their roles as Mr and Mrs Clock - the clever and courageous Pod and the worried and tearful Homily, who along with their mischievous daughter Arietty set out on a hair raising journey through the English countryside, hoping to find a new home for themselves. They are 'Borrowers', who spend their days 'borrowing' everything and anything from 'Human Beans', in order to survive! Children's programmes today are simply too polished - Sian Phillips is perfectly cast as the devilish house minder Mrs Driver and at times the programme is surprisingly startling. Full of adventure and suspense, and special effects that were a masterpiece of their time (and still impress today), this BBC adaptation of Norton's classic novel is a favourite of my generation and is one for all the family!