Toonhound - Brambly Hedge (1996-2000)

   Adapted from the best selling books from Jill Barklem, the Brambly Hedge films
   were exquisitely animated for HIT and the BBC by Cosgrove Hall. The dormice,
   mice, and critters of the hedge share seasonal adventures, mishaps and
   marriages in eight half-hour films. Young Wilfred Toadflax and Primrose Woodmouse
   lead us through the travails, together with a regular cast which includes Basil, Lady
   Daisy, Mrs Eyebright and Poppy, Mr and Mrs Toadflax, and Mr and Mrs Apple.

   No one can better the Cosgrove Hall team when it comes to "naturalistic" animation
   and settings. Here, the magnificent puppets move around decoupage cut-out
   scenery fashioned after the original illustrations. It gives the films a unique and very
   attractive storybook appearance.The little movements, the twitching whiskers, the
   embroidered clothes, the classical furnishings, the seasonal lighting - cold blue
   light for winter, golden for autumn - the craftsmanship here is extraordinary,
   surpassing even the world of The Wind in the Willows and racking up the
   naturalistic bar once more for others to attain or surpass if they can.

   As one now expects of Cosgrove Hall, the sumptuous visuals are accompanied
   by a sumptuous soundtrack. Celebrity actors adding their voices to proceedings
   include Neil Morrisey, Jim Broadbent, the late Charlotte Coleman, June Whitfield,
   Anton Rodgers and Robert Lindsay.

   Of course, the "Brambly Hedge" films aren't really a series at all. They are
   instead a cosy collection of film specials created over a five year period and
   initially broadcast by the BBC during the holiday schedules. The first film,
   "Winter Story", was broadcast on BBC1 on Christmas Day 1996, and
   "Poppy's Babies" brought the tales to a close in 2000...

   The Brambly Hedge Films

   Highlighted links lead to a more comprehensive review and
    credits for each film:

   Winter Story (1996)       The Secret Staircase (1998)
   Spring Story  (1997)     The High Hills (1999)
Summer Story (1997)       Sea Story (1999)
   Autumn Story (1997)       Poppy's Babies (2000)

   15min Specials

    These additonal shorts were compiled for the films'
    home video and DVD appearances:

   The World of Brambly Hedge
   The Mice of Brambly Hedge
   The Celebrations of Brambly Hedge
   The A-Z of Brambly Hedge

     Further reading

    Brambly Hedge books at Amazon.co.uk

     Brambly Hedge on DVD

     The "Brambly Hedge" films haven't had a co-ordinated UK release,
     as yet. But six stories have been made available, in various formats:

     Brambly Hedge: Spring Story
                 Region 2 / HIT Entertainment / April 2007

     Brambly Hedge: The Classic Collection
                Region 2 / "The Secret Staircase", "The High Hills", "Sea Story"
                and "Poppy's Babies" / HIT Entertainment / January 2004

   Christmas Children's Favourites
                This compilation DVD includes "Winter Story"
                Region 2 / HIT Entertainment / December 2005

     Cosgrove Hall films for HIT Entertainment PLC
    in association with the BBC

     based on the books by Jill Barklem

     key credits:

     exec producers:   Theresa Plummer-Andrews (for the BBC)
                                Mark Hall (for Cosgrove Hall)
                                Kate Fawkes, Peter Orton (for HIT)
     director:               Brain Little
     producer
      & sup dir:            Jackie Cockle
     prod design
      & art dir:              Bridget Appleby
     screenplays:        Jocelyn Stevenson
     music:                 Ernie Wood
     sup animator:      Sue Pugh

     voices:
     Robert Lindsay (narrator)
     Neil Morrisey (Wilfred Toadflax / Dusty Dogwood)
     Charlotte Coleman (Primrose Woodmouse / Poppy Eyebright)
     Jim Broadbent (Basil / Old Vole)
     Rosemary Leach (Lady Daisy Woodmouse / Old Mrs Eyebright)
     Anton Rodgers (Lord Woodmouse)
     June Whitfield (Mrs Apple)
     Michael Williams (Mr Apple)
     Alun Lewis (Mr Toadflax)
     Noreen Kershaw (Mrs Toadflax / Mrs Crustybread)
     Kate Harbour (additional voices)
     David Holt (additional voices)



    On the web


      The World of Brambly Hedge
      The official site including some handy details on the
      development of the films...

      Cosgrove Hall Films
      The official Cosgrove Hall site...

        Mackinnon & Saunders
      They made the mousey models and props...

      index »    previous »   next »

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			Brambly Hedge (1996 - 2000) producers: Cosgrove Hall for HIT Entertainment in association with the BBC animation: stop-motion animation 8 x 25mins / 4 x 15mins
		Adapted from the best selling books from Jill Barklem, the Brambly Hedge films were exquisitely animated for HIT and the BBC by Cosgrove Hall. The dormice, mice, and critters of the hedge share seasonal adventures, mishaps and marriages in eight half-hour films. Young Wilfred Toadflax and Primrose Woodmouse lead us through the travails, together with a regular cast which includes Basil, Lady Daisy, Mrs Eyebright and Poppy, Mr and Mrs Toadflax, and Mr and Mrs Apple. No one can better the Cosgrove Hall team when it comes to "naturalistic" animation and settings. Here, the magnificent puppets move around decoupage cut-out scenery fashioned after the original illustrations. It gives the films a unique and very attractive storybook appearance.The little movements, the twitching whiskers, the embroidered clothes, the classical furnishings, the seasonal lighting - cold blue light for winter, golden for autumn - the craftsmanship here is extraordinary, surpassing even the world of The Wind in the Willows and racking up the naturalistic bar once more for others to attain or surpass if they can. As one now expects of Cosgrove Hall, the sumptuous visuals are accompanied by a sumptuous soundtrack. Celebrity actors adding their voices to proceedings include Neil Morrisey, Jim Broadbent, the late Charlotte Coleman, June Whitfield, Anton Rodgers and Robert Lindsay. Of course, the "Brambly Hedge" films aren't really a series at all. They are instead a cosy collection of film specials created over a five year period and initially broadcast by the BBC during the holiday schedules. The first film, "Winter Story", was broadcast on BBC1 on Christmas Day 1996, and "Poppy's Babies" brought the tales to a close in 2000... The Brambly Hedge Films Highlighted links lead to a more comprehensive review and credits for each film: Winter Story (1996) The Secret Staircase (1998) Spring Story (1997) The High Hills (1999) Summer Story (1997) Sea Story (1999) Autumn Story (1997) Poppy's Babies (2000) 15min Specials These additonal shorts were compiled for the films' home video and DVD appearances: The World of Brambly Hedge The Mice of Brambly Hedge The Celebrations of Brambly Hedge The A-Z of Brambly Hedge Further reading Brambly Hedge books at Amazon.co.uk Brambly Hedge on DVD The "Brambly Hedge" films haven't had a co-ordinated UK release, as yet. But six stories have been made available, in various formats: Brambly Hedge: Spring Story Region 2 / HIT Entertainment / April 2007 Brambly Hedge: The Classic Collection Region 2 / "The Secret Staircase", "The High Hills", "Sea Story" and "Poppy's Babies" / HIT Entertainment / January 2004 Christmas Children's Favourites This compilation DVD includes "Winter Story" Region 2 / HIT Entertainment / December 2005 Cosgrove Hall films for HIT Entertainment PLC in association with the BBC based on the books by Jill Barklem key credits: exec producers: Theresa Plummer-Andrews (for the BBC) Mark Hall (for Cosgrove Hall) Kate Fawkes, Peter Orton (for HIT) director: Brain Little producer & sup dir: Jackie Cockle prod design & art dir: Bridget Appleby screenplays: Jocelyn Stevenson music: Ernie Wood sup animator: Sue Pugh voices: Robert Lindsay (narrator) Neil Morrisey (Wilfred Toadflax / Dusty Dogwood) Charlotte Coleman (Primrose Woodmouse / Poppy Eyebright) Jim Broadbent (Basil / Old Vole) Rosemary Leach (Lady Daisy Woodmouse / Old Mrs Eyebright) Anton Rodgers (Lord Woodmouse) June Whitfield (Mrs Apple) Michael Williams (Mr Apple) Alun Lewis (Mr Toadflax) Noreen Kershaw (Mrs Toadflax / Mrs Crustybread) Kate Harbour (additional voices) David Holt (additional voices) On the web The World of Brambly Hedge The official site including some handy details on the development of the films... Cosgrove Hall Films The official Cosgrove Hall site... Mackinnon & Saunders They made the mousey models and props... index » previous » next »
© HIT Entertainment Ltd & Jill Barklem / F2007