Magpie (1968 – 1980/Network U.K./Region Two/2/PAL DVD Set)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C     Extras: C     Episodes: B-

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: This DVD set can only be operated on machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Two/2/PAL format software and can be ordered from our friends at Network U.K. at the website address provided at the end of the review or at finer retailers.

 

 

There are some fine child-friendly shows that talk to and not at a young audience and they used to be more common in the past than they are now.  U.S. TV used to have several of them and the U.K. market did too, like the BBC production Blue Peter, a show as long running as a Sesame Street or Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.  Every serious TV production company had such a show and in 1968, Thames debuted Magpie featuring a trio of hosts, news magazine segment and sections in and out of the studio showing how the world works.

 

Network DVD in the U.K. has issued a double DVD set with 12 episodes that have are among those whop have survived incomplete archiving; less than 100 of 1,000 have survived.  The show has dated on the point of some facts and styles change, but it is a remarkably solid series with no direct equivalents today.  Running from 1968 – 1980, the series is smart, fun, entertaining and never condescending or sadly hip like too much commercial programming for the same audience today.  No toy tie-ins or allusions to second-best, the show is built on the idea that learning is a great idea and the world is interesting if you care to look into it.

 

Helping are the hosts over the years, who deserve note.  They include Tony Bastable, Susan Stranks, Pete Brady, Douglas Rae, Mick Robertson, Jenny Hanley and Tommy Boyd.  The more you watch them, the more you like them.  Segments can be everything from on location trips, to exploring waterways, to animals, to farming, to motor vehicles, to geography, to racing, to science, to new discoveries and to history, including an interesting attempt to discuss the sinking of The Titanic.

 

A nice set, there are more shows in the vault and all should be made available in future DVD sets, so I hope this one does well.  Even though we have more books, TV networks and Internet sites than ever, nothing beats a smart, well-done series like this and I hope this set causes a revival in interest.

 

 

The 1.33 X 1 is varied throughout and shows its age, with most of the indoor footage shot on PAL videotape and more outdoor and location footage shot in 16mm, but here in analog film-to-tape transfers of the time.  Combine the age of the footage and tapes, then you get the idea of some of the flaws you can come across throughout, but it can look good in spots.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is monophonic throughout, but it is also at a slightly lower levels than you might expect, so be careful on switching sound sources.  Otherwise, it is as clean as can be expected.

 

Extras include a PDF edition of one of the hardcover annuals tie-in books issued on the show, the My Brother David episode that focused on a special needs child receiving high acclaim and you get orphan footage (27:41) of scenes that were found, but not attached to any complete shows.  Very good clips, they include a trip to see 35mm still film being processed on a Gretag 3116 printing machine after being developed.

 

 

As noted above, you can order this PAL DVD import exclusively from Network U.K. at:

 

http://www.networkdvd.net/

 

or

 

www.networkdvd.co.uk

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo