Nonni und Manni

If you're looking for a clean adventure series, suitable for children and adults, this would be it. It can hold the interest of adults with its themes of law and love, yet children can keep up with the story just as easily, identifying with the main characters of youngsters Nonni and Manni.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series back in the late 1980s when it first aired on television, but have recently reconnected with it, and it's still one of my favourites. I was immediately taken in by the beautiful scenery, costuming, and charm of everyday life in mid 19th-century Iceland, and beyond that, even more so with the dramatic story that starts with their realization that their wayward father had died one year earlier. The message is brought to them personally by his best friend Harald, who poses as a threat to the greedy and manipulative character of Magnus, who is set on marrying the widow, Sigrid.

Harald is handsome, charming, and hard-working, and best of all, knew Nonni and Manni's father well, providing the warmth of good stories to tell the boys. Immediately, we know that Magnus' jealousy will start the series rolling with trouble, and soon enough it does.

Each episode is full of excitement with the boys doing what they can to help Harald stay safe from being killed, as they fight off henchmen, wildlife, and forces of nature along the way.

Though produced in the late 1980s, it has staying power with its trueness to the period of mid 19th century Iceland, with terrific hair, makeup, and costuming to transport the viewer back in time. It's just a wonderful series, and I only wish writers and producers would take note and create more like it today.