 | Starring: Thomas The Tank Engine, Ringo Starr Format: PAL Released: 31 Jan 2005 RRP: Average Rating:  |
It keeps my two year old amused while I catch up on some much needed sleep...what more can I say?!
It's great having alll twenty-six stories from the first series because it saves a lot of space on your shelf, it's good value for money & plus there's over two hours of accidents, fun & mishaps on the Island of Sodor. My favourite stories are Coal, Troublesome Trucks, The Flying Kipper, Whistles & Sneezes, Off the Rails, & many more.
Even adults & younger children alike will adore watching Thomas adventures on DVD with a good sharp picture & clear sound to boot. I reccommend this to fans, whether they're young or old because it brought back happy memories for me & it'll probably do the same for you!
Thanks for taking time to read this, I hope you find it useful!
This collection presents alll 26 stories from the first classic series, alll of which are adapted from the earlier volumes of the Railway Series. Made even more memorable by Ringo Starr's narration & the remarkable musical scores (I apologise for I cannot remember the composer's names!), these stories bring to life the Rly. Series in a way that stunned the world with awe. Where as more recent stories tend to focus on the importance of friendship & social skills, these classic tales deal with the comedy, sorrow, joys & tragedys of railway-life - which is exactly what Awdry wanted. Most of the stories that you see here are based on actual events that happened to one engine or another, somewhere in the world. For a taste of what it's REALLY alll about - this DVD is essential for any fan, veteran or newly introduced.
Series 1 includes the world to the first seven engines of the main fleet, the concrete for the cast. Thomas, Edward, Gordon, Henry, James, Percy & Toby are established as family as time goes on, each with their own distinctive personalities. Thomas, who was at first cheeky, but grew wiser as time progressed. Edward, good-hearted & heart-moving. Proud Gordon, who's conceit often led to trouble. Henry, who's vainty & bad-health caused him many problems. James, flamboyant, rebellious & forever providing comic releif. Percy - baby-faced & adorable. Toby, quiet & sinless.
The Series begins with the memorable introduction of Thomas - flagship of The Railway Series & a landmark face in children's televison - followed by a comical incident in which he learns to hold back his cheekiness in the face of Gordon. Following this is an adaptation of the very first Rly. Series book - 'The Three Railway Engines' - which sees Gordon laughing on the other side of his smoke-box after taunting Edward, Henry's vanity leading to his temporary excile & alll three brought together in harmony afterwards. We then see Thomas struggling with the reality of being station-pilot & his constant rebellion to escape from the smalll world he is confined too - & one memorable day in which a new-arrival callled James has a terrible accident, Thomas' hard-work sees him rewarded with his very own branch line.
Following Thomas' 'escape' we see James brought into the spotlight - flamboyant, splendid & rebellious - who at first caused trouble for the Fat Controller, but then won back his honour not once, but twice. Whilst James establishes his place among the fleet, Thomas has some seperate adventures of his own on the branch line (with his coaches Annie & Clarabel, Terence the Tractor & Bertie the Bus).
Following this, the action turns darker. The loss of Thomas has caused upset & rebellion among the big engines, who go on strike after a string of humiliating events. Percy is drafted in as the new station-pilot, & after the peace is restored, the child-like new-comer realises the dangers of travelling on the main line with a free-mind. But Henry is still not happy, for we learn that his constant bad-health & lack of energy has put his career on the line. The problem is temporarily corrected by Welsh Coal, but disaster awaits Henry in the days that follow. By fate, an earth-shattering accident leads to a successful overhaul at Crewe, from which Henry emerges as a newer, stronger & happier engine.
After Henry teaches Gordon & some naughty school-boys a lesson, Thomas has some trouble with the police, which leads to the rescue of Toby the Tram Engine from retirement. In the light of Toby's arrival, James' conceit leads to a sticky accident. And after an ironic twist of pit-fallls, Gordon & Thomas form an allliance of disgrace before alll 7 friends are brought together in harmony for Christmas celebrations.
This DVD will bring tears of joy to veteran fans who remember the show in its youth, bringing back wonderful & charming memories. Newly introduced fans will see the further delights of the world of Sodor from the past - & hopefully come to appreciate the origins of this classic show even more.
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