The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾

I first read The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 when I was about 14 and decided to have another read 10 years on. When I discovered that a TV series had been made and that it was filmed in Leicester (where the author of the book is from, where the story is based and where I live) I decided to buy the VHS from Amazon.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this adaptation of the book! Gian Sammarco (who plays Adrian Mole) is spot on and I was very surprised to find that he hasn't done a lot else apart from this. And indeed I recognise bits of Leicester - The Sainsbury's Supermarket on Humberstone Gate and the City Centre Clock Tower to name a couple.

But the one thing that drove me absolutely crazy about this is the actor's putting on Birmingham accents! Why oh why were they made to do this? None of the characters are from Birmingham or even know anyone from Birmingham - they are Leicester born and bred (just like myself). HOW FRUSTRATING!

But apart from that I can't complain about the acting at all - they were very good and the casting is simply superb! A lot of the characters are exactly how I imagined them to be.

I don't think Adrian Mole fans will be disappointed by this at all. Very well done.

I clearly remember this when it was on TV here in NZ (about 1987). This is an amazing piece of TV history. I was only at primary school, but everyone I knew was talking about this nonstop! Some years later I remembered it and purchased all the books, managed to find a copy of The Secret Diary (first series) and watched again. It is amazing how close they were to the book, in some cases almost word-for-word.

All in all an excellent series, that follows the novels very closely, and makes the characters behind the words seem much more life-like and real (the actor they chose for Adrian was almost exactly like I imagined him to be!)

I agree with Ben Spencer - I lived in Leicester for some time in 1981, and while it's obvious Adrian is a local a lot of the other accents on the show sounded just wrong - not Midlands at all. Glad it was not just me that thought this.

However this series is a classic gem. The characters are brilliant - Bert, Queenie, Grandma, and the parents. It captures that time in Britain just beautifully.

I am buying a copy of the DVD as all I have is an old video. Recommend this show - at least 8 out of 10.

Tessie

This was actually on the telly as a TV Series in 1985 but was repeated in 1987. Certainly helped me along the way as i was the same age and could relate. I think we were all in love with Pandora, Attractive and forthright with a strong spirit. Sue Townsend writes very well and keeps you buried in the book, page after page. The Screen adaption was done very well and the people chosen to play the characters were, in my opinion, perfect. Julie Walters does an outstanding job as Adrians mum and Gian Sammarco was perfect for the role of Adrian. Such was the impact that even now at 34&3/4(funny) i still read them and they are still very funny. A Must read/watch for anyone suffered through being called a nerd!!!!! and I am sure will be appreciated even by the last two generation of kids after my generation.

Contrary to a few peoples views although books are based in Leicester the tv series was filmed in London And I suppose Julies brummie accent is a point of derision as Leicester don't have such accent But Julie exaggerated accent would actually be her natural accent as she was born and bred in Birmingham Nevertheless its still a good watch .....