‘The Famous Five’ reviews round-up: ‘Enchanting’ adaptation is ‘tremendous fun’
The brand new version of The Famous Five is now streaming!
Based on the classic children’s novels by English author Enid Blyton, a trio of feature-length episodes were filmed across the UK’s South West this summer.
The first of these three films recently premiered on BBC iPlayer and the CBBC channel in the UK ahead of its New Year’s Eve broadcast on BBC One.
‘The Curse of Kirrin Island’ follows cousins George, Julian, Dick, Anne and Timmy the dog as they set out to investigate Kirrin Island, an uninhabited island that belongs to the family, after a body washes up on the beach, apparently the victim of a local curse.
Guest starring in the adventure is Jack Gleeson, who Game of Thrones fans will recognise as the evil Joffrey Baratheon.
Take a look behind the scenes with a fun preview here:
We’ve rounded up a selection of spoiler-free reviews here to help you decide if it’s worth a watch:
“The new film looks gorgeous – the production values are incredible, and it is tremendous fun. The level of jeopardy and adventure is startling, and outdoes the original book… There are nods to Swallows and Amazons, Indiana Jones, King Arthur, Moonfleet, Treasure Island…
“While it has departed a long way from the original plot, that doesn’t grate at all…
“Enid Blyton famously said that she didn’t care about the critical opinion of anyone over the age of 12: and what child wouldn’t be enchanted by this crazy adventure? ” ★★★★ – iNews
“Blyton purists will be relieved that the new show is set in the 1940s and contains enchantment and adventure.” – The Guardian
“Forgettable Enid Blyton update is an awfully boring adventure…
“The director of this adaptation may be – unexpectedly – Nicolas Winding Refn but the result is a mostly traditional, rather dull 90 minutes.” ★★ – The Telegraph
“It’s a solid, quaint adaptation imbued with a quintessential British innocence without the brashness or insistence of an American children’s movie…
“There is nostalgia here for those who know the stories well and while it’s been modernised with a diverse cast, the story and characters feel timeless.
“Even though, sure, probably no parent in 2023 will let four kids go off camping by themselves for a week. But that sense of discovery, adventure and righteousness, that rings true for any era.” – Perth Now
“It’s a Christmas treat for the whole family, a really enchanting family film, with very high production values, and top class writing and direction.” – Clothes in Books
We’re still waiting to hear where and when American viewers can watch the show, but in Germany it’ll be airing on ZDF, and in France it’ll be on TF1.
The complete collection of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books is available on Amazon.