The Box of Delights

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.

I was fortunate enough to be a child when this first appeared on BBC and for the life of me i cant understand why it isn't repeated around the festive season.

I lived in a house in Scotland, we had snow knee deep, a coal fire to keep me warm and while we had no wolves to worry about we did have the occasional nosey fox or foraging badger to add to the mix of realism this gem of a classic children's drams. Every night myself and my two sisters who despite being ten years older than me would sit all snug and toasty and be transported away by what can only be described as the closest you will come to believing in magic as you ever will in your life.

While the pace of this can be charmingly laid back there are enough moments of wonder and tension to make you wonder where those 30 minutes went.

I wont go into the story as so many others already have and lets face it, this has dropped of the radar of television so only those that watched it or even just caught a glimpse of it know about it already.

Im thirtymumblemumblemumblemumblefour now and like others i watch this every year. Because of its setting, a kind of famous five version of england that really only existed in literature the box of delights doesn't age as it was already in that in-between place of time so viewers of all ages can enjoy this.

This is a fine tribute to those actors sadly no longer with us who gave this story life and gravitas and a true sense of magic.

If you're feeling jaded about the whole concept of Christmas then this would be a great tonic. The innocence and wonder of the fantastic storyline and themes are a perfect counterbalance to today's commercial festival.

There's some wonderful acting (especially from the older cast members) and some classic set pieces (Herne The Hunter was the coolest when i watched this first time round as a youngster).

Take the 80s special effects with a pinch of salt (they're still not completely awful despite the budget/technology of the time) and prepare for a journey that will make you feel like a kid again, in the best possible way.

This has been one of my favorite Christmas movies since I ran across it on the PBS "Wonder Works" series almost two decades ago. I was fortunate enough to have taped it at the time and I've watched it every Christmas since!

Devin Stansfield is Kay Harker, a young Briton from an affluent family who is travelling by train to spend the Christmas holiday with relatives. Taking a nap in an empty compartment, he unexpectedly finds himself in the company of two apparent clergymen (Jonathan Stevens & Geoffrey Larder) who cheat him out of a shilling and then steal his wallet! Appearances continue to prove deceiving as an old tramp (Patrick Troughton) turns out to be the ancient alchemist Raymond Lully, and Kay plunges into a wonderful adventure of magic and mystery.

The acting (mostly perfect) is occasionally a little wooden, and the special effects are a tribute to the demands a limited budget makes on the imagination. However the cinematography is superb and the screenplay does justice to the rich novel by Mansfield. The plot is excellent and the story taps a rich vein of English mythology.

It's unfortunate that this video is apparently only available from England, where it is only for sale in British video format - which is not compatible with U.S. machines! I hope that "The Box of Delights" will soon make its debut on DVD.

The Box of Delights to my brother and I is as traditional at Christmas as The Wizard of Oz or indeed The Queens speach!! Every year since 1984 we have "delighted" in watching The Box armed with sweets in our formative years and beer in our latter. Even now as grown men missing The Box for 1 year would be regarded as sacrilige. To us The Box epitimises Christmas with its magic and mayhem,villains and heroes and ultimately allround Christmassy feel. The casting is outstanding, try to read the book after watching the show and you can't imagine anyone else in the roles. Devin Stansfield is excellent as Kay,unfortunately it appears it was the pinnacle of his career as he doesn't appear to have acted since. The late great Patrick Traughton and Robert Stephens excell in their roles and it is in The Box I'll remember them not Dr Who or Shakespeare. The musical score is fantastic the composer has captured the spirit of a pre-war Christmas amazingly well, the version of The first Noel is magical. We love The Box because it enables us to hang onto our childhood.As there are 2 of us it enables us to protect each other from the mockery of our respective spouses who believe we're like a couple of kids.Both have tried and failed to take our one and only recording to tape over it with Coronation Street. Now wouldn't that be the Purple Pim........