The wolves are running...

In 1984, the BBC debuted a new children's TV serial, an adaptation of John Masefield's The Box Of Delights. It was a huge hit, and made a major impression on a whole generation of school children. Then, for many years, it remained in the vaults; fondly remembered, but lurking unseen. Ten years ago, when it was released on DVD, something of an internet tradition grew up around it - that of recreating those old Children's BBC screenings, by watching one episode a week, timing it so that the last episode is on Christmas Eve. That means that the first episode is watched on November 19th.

I haven't seen the show for four or five years now. I can't watch something every year, the way that some people can! I don't like to overdo it. But this year is the show's thirtieth anniversary. So, what better way to say a happy birthday to one of the most gloriously atmospheric bits of children's telly than to jump back in and give it a spin? Beneath the cut is episode one, courtesy of YouTube. Whatever you celebrate at this time of year, I recommend giving this show a watch. The SFX are very 1984, it's true, but nobody in their right mind cares about that. This is children's TV at its finest.

( Look out, Master Harker, and see that you don't get bit! )