THE BOX OF DELIGHTS is another fine example of BBC children's drama of the 1980s. This six-part series is an adaptation of the John Masefield novel and features the adventures of a young boy, Kay, who comes into possession of the titular device and must use it to evade and outwit the forces of evil.
You know you're in for something special from the very first scenes in which Kay finds himself encountering a pair of creepy priests in a train carriage. From there on in THE BOX OF DELIGHTS barely pauses for breath as it carries the viewer along on a magical adventure involving trips to the historic part, the machinations of a sinister schemer, half-human half-rat creatures, a kindly and magical stranger, and shape-changing. All in the run-up to a snowy Christmas Eve!
It's fair to say that this is a show which has dated since release. Not so much the trappings - it was set in the historical past of the 1930s after all - but rather the quality of the special effects. They're not so special anymore, but I still find them infinitely more enjoyable than your average CGI effect just because of the effort that has gone into their making. I also love the use of hand-drawn animation when needed and the effects on a whole bring to mind the KNIGHTMARE TV gameshow.
Cast-wise, the viewer is in for a treat with Patrick Troughton on fine and friendly form as the mysterious stranger (sadly, he's given way too little screen time) and Robert Stephens as the scheming master villain. THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW's Patricia Quinn also appears in support, and even child star Devin Stanfield isn't too shabby. Altogether THE BOX OF DELIGHTS is a delightful slice of children's television and up there with the exemplary likes of other BBC fare such as THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA and MOONDIAL.
