"Look and see the sun rise on a new adventure,
     where will Belladonna fly today?"
 

   On a trip to the Zoo one day Emma Dollybutt, and her twin brothers Ivan and
   Conrad are met by their Great Uncle Lancelot. Only, he doesn't arrive on foot.
   Instead he breezes in on the wind, because Lancelot is a decidely clever chap.
   He has invented a fantastic flying machine which he has named 'Belladonna'.
   It's a giant balloon with all sorts of gizmos and gadgetry in its gondola.

   But Lancelot's achievements pale next to those of his brother Perceval. He has
   created a magic dust which enables humans to converse with animals. The
   problem is, Lucretia Moore, the head of the world's largest pet food company,
   also knows about Perceval's discovery and she wants that dust. That's why
   Perceval has gone in to hiding. And it's also why Lancelot whisks away the
   the three kids and a dog called Buster, off on a worldwide hunt for the chap,
   with Lucretia and her bumbling assistant on their heels. Fortunately, they
   can call on members of the animal world to aid them on their quest...

   First published in 1987, "The Fantastic Flying Journey" was written by naturalist
   Gerald Durrell and was sub-titled "An Adventure in Natural History". The gang
   encounter whales in the Polar Seas, rhinos in Africa, migratory swallows, snakes,
   they visit the Autralian Outback and more. The story featured illustrations by artist
   Graham Percy and this animated adaptation uses his work as a launching pad.

   This is a "classic" adaptation, with a lush soundtrack, rich colours and some
   quality talent providing the voices and steering the production through to the screen.
   Prominent on the credits is the name of John Coates, the prolific and influential
   producer of such films as "Yellow Submarine", "The Snowman", "The Bear",
   "Granpa" and so many others. And sitting atop those voice credits are the names
   of Miranda Richardson (Lucretia) and Simon Callow (Lancelot). Maybe it's
   a tad 'jolly hockey-sticks' for some tastes, with its bumbling villains and terribly
   polite children, but there's no denying the tale's appeal to just as many others.
   And there is something particularly attractive about serial adventures. So few
   seem to be made...
   
   Interesting to nore how Nickelodeon's "Wild Thornberries" came to the fore
   at around the same time as this. The two series share much the same
   concept, don't they? - But wait up, don't go calling your lawyers yet, because
   both of these series must surely doff their caps to a certain 'Dr Dolittle'
   who was travelling and talking with the animals long before these two
   were even a twinkle in their creators' eyes.

   TV-Loonland have recently brought us the likes of "Clifford the Big Red Dog",
   "Little Ghosts", "The Cramp Twins" and those medieval "Metalheads".

   As for Gerald Durrell, well he was a colourful and popular naturalist and
   author, wasn't he? His work has been animated before, of course. In 1978
   Cosgrove Hall produced their version of "The Talking Parcel"...

 

       based on the book by Gerald Durrell
       with cover art and illustrations by Graham Percy

       directors:   Catherine Robbins, John Coates     
       voices:       Miranda Richardson (Lucretia Moore)
                        Simon Callow (Great Uncle Lancelot)
                        Jack Stanley (Conrad)
                                

      On the web


       TV-Loonland
       http://www.loonland.com/
       'Journey' is here along with the rest of TV-Loonland's slate, plus all
       the relevant contact info for folks seeking broadcast rights. Not
       much series info online, but there is a clip...


 
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