{"id":6859,"date":"2021-11-06T19:45:52","date_gmt":"2021-11-06T18:45:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1492385"},"modified":"2021-11-06T20:04:11","modified_gmt":"2021-11-06T19:04:11","slug":"worzel-gummidge-guy-forks-review-this-tranquil-delight-is-family-entertainment-at-its-finest","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/worzel-gummidge-guy-forks-review-this-tranquil-delight-is-family-entertainment-at-its-finest\/","title":{"rendered":"Worzel Gummidge \u2018Guy Forks\u2019 review: This tranquil delight is family entertainment at its finest"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Morgan Jeffery\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 06 November 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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<\/div> 4.0 out of 5 star rating<\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div>

It\u2019s perfectly understandable that the BBC would want a gem like Mackenzie Crook\u2019s gorgeous reimagining of Worzel Gummidge<\/a> to form part of its festive schedule \u2013 with three previous episodes having aired over the Christmas period (in 2019 and 2020), and two more expected to follow suit this year \u2013 but actually it\u2019s difficult to imagine a more fitting slot for this series than Bonfire Night. From the golden hue of its visuals to the beautiful melodies of folk group The Unthanks, this wistful piece of programming is pretty much the most Autumn-y thing that ever Autumn-ed.<\/p>\n

This 5th November-themed instalment sees Worzel (Crook, who also writes and directs) encounter his cousin Guy Forks (Paul Kaye, making for a supremely appealing antagonist) and end up taking his place atop a bonfire stack \u2013 and though putting Worzel in peril effectively sidelines the misfit mannequin for much of this hour-long drama\u2019s second half, that allows this show\u2019s likeable young leads to take centre-stage: India Brown and Thierry Wickens remain spectacularly good as Susan and John, even if the latter\u2019s noticeable growth spurt (actually addressed on-screen via a brief gag) leaves you worrying how many more of these the BBC might practically be able to produce before the pair age out of their roles. Make more, Beeb, and quick!<\/p>\n

\""Worzel\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
BBC\/Leopard Pictures Ld\/Adam Lawrence<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

From the soft, soothing strains of its opening theme onwards, Worzel Gummidge is a tranquil delight \u2013 beautifully shot, perfectly cast (in the case of Toby Jones here, perfectly cast six times) and gloriously warm-hearted. There\u2019s nothing else quite like it being produced by the BBC or indeed any other broadcaster \u2013 like Worzel himself, it\u2019s a deeply charming oddity.<\/p>\n

But what marks it out as truly great television is that Crook\u2019s not satisfied for this to be mere good-natured fluff \u2013 what elevates this episode and the series as a whole is the way in which it celebrates nature in all its forms, seeking to lightly educate the viewer without ever patronising them. Worzel Gummidge has \u2013 whisper it<\/em> \u2013 a social conscience, with Guy Forks weaving in an anti-pollution message amidst the magic. There\u2019s even a nod to the pivotal part that today\u2019s young people are playing in highlighting the damage being wrought on our planet: \u201cI\u2019ve heard of this,\u201d scoffs Jones\u2019 Mayor when John and Susan protest against a bonfire that\u2019ll pollute the village. \u201cIt\u2019s a youth thing!\u201d<\/p>\n

If you were to have one \u201cgrumble grumble\u201d, it\u2019s that any moments where the show\u2019s amiable nature wavers feel all the more out of place given how endearing it is the rest of the time \u2013 an interlude involving snails and a slingshot feels out-of-character for a series that extols the virtues of preserving and protecting wildlife, and maybe I\u2019m just getting old but a scene which undercuts a character\u2019s delight that Susan and John are using a public library to research Guy Fawkes by having them immediately revert to using their smart phones for the sake of a quick gag feels unusually mean-spirited. (Would it have been unrealistic for them to break out the books instead? Possibly, but this is a show about a talking scarecrow.)<\/p>\n

These are minor quibbles, though. In all other respects, Guy Forks is another captivating adventure from Crook and company, family entertainment at its finest that leaves you feeling inspired to\u00a0wrap up warm, take a stroll in the October chill and crunch some leaves underfoot \u2013 possibly on the way to a fireworks display. Just keep a close eye on the \u201cguy\u201d\u2026<\/p>

Read more about Worzel Gummidge:<\/strong><\/p>\n