AHHHH this takes me back. It reminds me of christmas when i was 7or 8. It was a very atmospheric TV show. The begining was a bit creepy but it was made by the people that made Dr Who after all. The story feacherd several episodes about a boys mysterias journey through the advent calender days leading up to Christmas. Its pure 1980s BBC prop room at its best!!!! I love it.
OK yes I found it! This section of the piece starts just after 2 minutes into what is referred to as the third movement of the carol symphony, aka, Andante quasi lento e cantabile. Exact version. Thanks for your help!
Thank you for the details on how one might obtain this song. However, it seems to be harder than I thought. I listened to the Naxos songs for Hely-Hutchinson on their website but none are this song. The Youtube video for "Box of Delights Music" says that this is Barry Rose conducting the "Pro-Arte Orchestra" but again, no luck. Was there ever a soundtrack for this show? I would love to purchase the album with this exact version on it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thnx, Happy Holidays!
It's easy to find on Spotify, Zune or iTunes. Look for 'A Carol Symphony' by Victor Hely-Hutchinson. Use that exact name to search on Amazon. You'll find it.
Oh this was pure quality! The people in charge at the BBC back then were giants compared to the ones running it now. What excellent, atmospheric programmes they used to put out. Its only when you look back at programmes such as this, The Children of Green Knowe and all the other dramas and comedies that we used to take for granted that you realise what a falling-off there has been.
Time to get this one out for watch again, reminds me of better days. When kids TV was actually worth watching and didnt treat it's audience like they are dumb as dog shit. Remember The Phoenix and the Carpet? Classic.
Children's Television in the 21st century has become safe, predictable, unispiring and devoid of originality... just my opinion ;P This on the other hand was a treat and always makes me think of possets :)
The early 80's was a great time to be a kid , what with this , Doctor Who , Chocky , The Tripods etc. Well written intelligent drama's . Patrick Troughton & Patricia Quinn were ace in this . Christmas 1984 ( when this was first shown) was one of my favourites.
Jesus, you twat! It was just a kids' show about a magic box and you shove your brainless agenda onto it. Pathetic! It is scary what happens to people when they can't get laid...ever.
Such a beautiful programme. I bought this for my children for Chistmas last year. It was so nice to watch something clean and pure, without all the homosexual perverts and coons on the TV corrupting their young minds.
Bravo! you have used the haunting Victor Hely-Hutchinson music they always used for the BBC radio version on Children's Hour way back in the 1940s!!! The TV version was splendid, but honestly it was e v e n m o r e magical on steam radio
OH WOW!!! Brings it all back! Why on earth has this not been repeated on the BBC in 30 years???!!! I remember it being fantastic - that opening still sends shivers up my spine. Thanks for posting! :)
I think this series from what i can remember of it, having only seen repeats as i was too young when it was originally aired was fantastic, which is why i have ordered the DVD. I think it is a great pity that this page is littered with comments that are deeply offensive and against the law, to use language like this would be classed as a hate crime especially towards minority groups. I hope the uploader and You Tube take action swiftly.
Something that Childrens BBC are sadly lacking. A good family drama especially a christmas one like this good old 1984 classic. Nowadays, i feel that the BBC Childrens progs have become patronising of late, sadly.
@AndreHiltre RASIST PIG I hope your children grow up to be more educated than you. Clearly you lack simple intelligence. Your poor children, to have a father as thick as pigshit
Such a creepy christmas theme tune. The visuals help to make it quite nightmarish. No wonder it's so vividly remembered!
The music is from Victor Hely-Hutchinson's Carol Symphony. It's on the Naxos label, and you can get it easily on iTunes or on Spotify.
The tune's unique sinister effect comes from the inspired blending together of the beautiful Coventry Carol (heard quietly behind the harp at the begining) and the delightful The First Noel. The Coventry Carol is reprised in a much more ove
@TheConspiracyMan8 get 'JDownloader' google it, its free. Fire it up and copy the url of this (or any other youtube vid) page, it will give you the option to save the video or just the audio as a file on its own (as an mp3)
I "borrowed" the dvd from my sister, gone sit and enjoy this over the next week or so... REALLY brings back memories of childhood, no idea how old I was when this came out, But I think I was in primary school and the 1st Noel is my FAVOURITE christmas carol.. if it is one :-)We spend a lot of time hatin on the beeb these days.. They did and DO still make some magic stuff!
no theme tune has ever made me feel as nostalgic as I do now! I'm 18 and my dad used to play me this video every christmas when i was a kid. absolutely love it, despite the effects and the questionable acting!
A truly magical series! I first watched it when I was 13 years old. The Box of Delights is always a great start to Christmas. Its true they don't make stuff like this anymore!
@allyplumb I feel the same way. I lived in the UK back in the late 80's-early 90's, and although I missed all the American TV, films, and food, British TV had better quality. Especially children's TV shows.
Nowadays, the country is completely Americanized. Worse, your country has imported all of the WORST habits of mine; huge cars, conspicuous consumption, guns, etc.
I'm 20 so this was first shown 6 years before I was born...my Mum videoed it off the TV with the idea that when she had kids we would watch it together. 26 years on my brother, my parents and I have watched it every single Christmas...love it so much!!!
This brings back such happy memories. I watched this in 1984 when I was still in junior school and always thought the titles to be wonderfully bewitching. Great series!
You can download the MP3 of the theme tune on Amazon as part of the album, A Classic Christmas. The title is, "The Forst Nowell" and it's by Barry Rose/Pro Arte Orchestra. I can recommend the album actually, it's very good value.
Great memories, this and The Frog Chorus/Paul McCartney, as well as Band Aid summed up this Christmas (1984). This was when Christmas was magical, before it was so very commercialised like now. The simple things mattered and I remember the small things, when we didn't have/need Nintendo DS's and iPods.
The title music is the Carol Symphony by Victor Hely-Hutchinson. The entire symphony is terrific. Perfect choice for this adaptation. The original books by John Masefield are a great read. The Midnight Folk is the first Kay Harker story; The Box od Delights is the second, with a few characters recurring from the first story. I understand there were to be new TV productions of both stories for release at Christmas 2010. Have also heard rumors of s film adaptation of The Box of Delights.
I vaguely remember tuning in for this as a wee boy but I have to admit, that intro is pretty sinister for a kids tv program and always creeped me out a bit. Thanks for uploading!
I remember watching the Box of delights way back in 1984 and it scared the crap out of me especially the end credits where it showed the close up of the Wolf and it eyes I just was so scared
i always loved this as a child. i haven't seen it for decades, but at the time i think the acting and story really worked for me. (compare some of the appalling acting in other children's dramas, like those "narnia" adaptations!)
i really wish they'd given abner an american accent, though. a really smooth, southern accent. if i ever get to read the books aloud to my own children, that's how i'll do it! ^^
I loved this as a child! Bought it a few years ago on DVD and it's now part of my build up to Christmas every year. Best enjoyed with a good hot posset! ;)
I love this - it has a timeless charm and innocence that belongs to the world i grew up in, everything on television is just so cynical these days. I have a dvd collection of over 2000 discs, full of classics like this, and me and my 9 yo daughter watch these on cold rainy nights instead of those awful and disgraceful celebrity/reality things!
watched all of this just before xmas,wrapping xmas presents,great nostalgia and apart form some dodgy effects,it still holds up and somethign the BBC doesn't make anymore...
@memoir4you - This brings back memories of Christmas in the mid-80s, back when I was too young to understand what was going on in the World. The BBCs version of the Chronicles of Narnia happened during the start of my Teenage Years so I guess I hold onto that more. I have them on DVD.
@MrHawksmoor I always try and watch the BBC 80s adaptation of 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' just before Christmas for exactly the same reason. The dodgy special effects don't seem to matter.
Watched the first two episodes last two days (three days before Xmas) It's good and the plot is better than I remember. There's a good 1940s nostalgiac vibe about it. The only real downside so far is that the 'not so special' effects are extremely dated and so bad in fact that they ruin the subtle ambience built up by the music and excellent outside location 'snow' shots.
I agree. Some people say that the tackiness of the effects make it - and it's good to remember what technical effects were like in the early eighties, but I think when they remastered it for dvd they could have spent a bit of money at least on some proper snowfall - it would have gone far better with the real snow they used
Yes, something truely sinister. It stays with you. It is a feeling of child hood which never leaves some people. That if you just found the right lock and turned the right key, at the right time a world beyond this one would be open to you. But there is a price, there is always a price. We don't see this these days. Everything is cute and cuddly or hard as nails. There is no little left for the sinister fary tale.
I remember watching the first episode (I was 11) and it blew me away. However, I also remember it going downhill after about three episodes and the plot getting a bit stupid. I'd be interested to watch it again now in my mid-30s to see if it still holds up and also to see if it really does go a bit rubbish after three episodes.
@LimaLima95 I've actually just downloaded the whole series for free, so I'll watch them over Xmas - to see if they still retain some of their original 'delights'.
I agree too. The meet up with the man in the sand etc was dull. Much preferred the adventure with the kids during the first few episodes- then the final one
I have now watched the whole series again and my original thoughts still hold. The effects are terrible and some of the later plot just gets ridiculous - talking heads, greek soldiers, etc. However, I think the film they are making of this in 2011 could be something a bit special - if they do it right, i.e get the 1930s Xmas atmosphere across, etc. The original idea has a lot of potential and Kay Harker could even rival the Harry Potter franchise!
I was 10 when this was first shown and loved it then. Haven't seen it since but we've just got it on DVD and are going to watch it over Christmas. Hopefully it'll be as good as I remember.
This has become a christmas eve classic in our family, I'm 33 with no kids .
we all get get together and dress the tree(polite way of saying drunk people throw stuff at it), xmas songs and a good dose of xmas cheer and then sit down and watch the box of delights ( oh how i wish i could get my hands on the radio recordings of 'The Midnight Folk' my mum read it to me as a child and it remains my favourite childrens book of all time ) good times, looking forward to this year's assault on xmas !
I remember this all those years ago. Every time I hear Silent Night it reminds me of this serial. I didn't realise when I first saw it, that Patrick Troughton was in it - possibly the best Dr Who ever.
According to wikipedia theyre gona 'remake' this! fuck sake, new age bollacks, writers are too stupid to think up new ideas so they destroy classics! theyre remakeing the carry on's aswell! Bastards
I'm thinking of asking the BBC to show this again at Christmas (2009). It's 25 years since it was first shown in Christmas 1984! Everytime I watch it, it always takes me back. I love this programme.
themember chocky? thats on here as well plus chockys children. Also moon dial and green Knowe. the one i really want to see again isnt tho. the machine gunners.
oh and stig of the dump. stig of the dump lol. but i loved watching this again so much takes me right back in time. never seen any of the one off kids dramas from ten years prior they were repeated i remember. magic tshirts 2 boys fishing and tracing an underground river with a deviner rod. and model airoplanes shooting each other down with darts class
I used to really like this - a good mix of adventure, mystery and danger with some intense cliff-hangers. I seem to remember the bbc made a number good kids christmas drama series in the eighties. I'd love to see some again.
I remember this was one of those quality kids dramas that the beeb used to put on every year in the run up to Christmas. Used to love these programmes and every week it was on it was one week closer to Crimbo.
The opening music to this programme was the most magical, bewitching and captivating I had ever heard at the time, the series first began, It was a wonderful time of my life, as a carefree child with a wild imagination. I wish I could go back! fantastic series
i agree - used to love this. It was paramount in our house that what ever else happened my little brother and i could not miss this. We lived in an old house in a tiny country lane which was very woody and spooky and I used to pretend this was all happening around us. Childhood imagination.......sighhh
I read that the BBC are going to film another Box of Delights along with its prequel, Midnight Folk, aimed for 2010, presumably Christmas time.
In response to tardistuner's question, Cole Hawlings is the name of the mysterious owner of the Box and Kay Harker is the young protaganist of the story.
This is a lovely mysterious version of the hymn the first noel.patrick troughton who played the 2nd doctor who is very good as the wizard character what is his name? is it cole hawlings or is that the name of the young boy?
The music, if any of you have any interest in such, wasn't specifically commissioned for the programme.
It's by the little-known but extremely talented South African-born, English-bred composer Victor Hely-Hutchinson, written in 1927.
This particular piece is a movement - Andante, based on The First Nowell - from his Carol Symphony. Listen to Classic FM this time of the year and you'll hear it virtually very hour!
Just seen this comment! wow thanks for your info on this, I will try and get this piece of music. Just for myself! It's nice to have some magic in your life, even if it is just from a piece of music!
even though it is incredibly dated- even tho its set in the 40s/50s what kid there days would get worked up about a church service? deserves a remake but theyd have to change the ending...maybe it could be a xmas rave!
the zenith of children's TV...it has never been bettered...the sad thing today is that the BBC doesn't even want to try and better it
hugodrax71 3 hours ago
AHHHH this takes me back. It reminds me of christmas when i was 7or 8. It was a very atmospheric TV show. The begining was a bit creepy but it was made by the people that made Dr Who after all. The story feacherd several episodes about a boys mysterias journey through the advent calender days leading up to Christmas. Its pure 1980s BBC prop room at its best!!!! I love it.
plutobrandy1 1 day ago
Full of magic.As every kid's drama should be!.Big shout out to u kids of the 80's!.xx
MrJoe1176 3 weeks ago
quite creepy
geodon11 4 weeks ago
0:59
that's the SVR which runs at Kidderminster to Bewdley.
LordGeorgeRodney 1 month ago
OK yes I found it! This section of the piece starts just after 2 minutes into what is referred to as the third movement of the carol symphony, aka, Andante quasi lento e cantabile. Exact version. Thanks for your help!
tvbabay 1 month ago
Thank you for the details on how one might obtain this song. However, it seems to be harder than I thought. I listened to the Naxos songs for Hely-Hutchinson on their website but none are this song. The Youtube video for "Box of Delights Music" says that this is Barry Rose conducting the "Pro-Arte Orchestra" but again, no luck. Was there ever a soundtrack for this show? I would love to purchase the album with this exact version on it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thnx, Happy Holidays!
tvbabay 1 month ago
It's easy to find on Spotify, Zune or iTunes. Look for 'A Carol Symphony' by Victor Hely-Hutchinson. Use that exact name to search on Amazon. You'll find it.
mangatank 1 month ago
Oh this was pure quality! The people in charge at the BBC back then were giants compared to the ones running it now. What excellent, atmospheric programmes they used to put out. Its only when you look back at programmes such as this, The Children of Green Knowe and all the other dramas and comedies that we used to take for granted that you realise what a falling-off there has been.
TruckOnTyke1 1 month ago
@TruckOnTyke1 absolutely! well said, and there were others,too, like the December Rose and the Cuckoo sister, quality dramas with quality actors.
memoir4you 1 month ago
This is bloody terrifying.
scouseyclark 2 months ago
This makes me feel old!!! Nostalgia overload!
Please check out my new Christmas song, The Christmas Light by Paul Mayo.
It is a charity download out soon. Just trying to remind people the true meaning of Christmas.
wondermayo2009 2 months ago
Time to get this one out for watch again, reminds me of better days. When kids TV was actually worth watching and didnt treat it's audience like they are dumb as dog shit. Remember The Phoenix and the Carpet? Classic.
goesworth 2 months ago
@goesworth Watch this every year with my sister, its brilliant, I remember the Phoenix & the Carpet too, loved it :) Nadolig LLawen
RikAlessi 1 month ago 2
Children's Television in the 21st century has become safe, predictable, unispiring and devoid of originality... just my opinion ;P This on the other hand was a treat and always makes me think of possets :)
neutralizor 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Please check out my Christmas song, The Christmas Light by Paul Mayo. Hoping to get it released as a charity download.
Many thanks
wondermayo2009 2 months ago
Nostagic, festive and scary!!
MrSeyerus 3 months ago
I'm 8 again!
topbanana188 3 months ago
This reminds me of Christmas as a child. I felt all warm and fuzzy for a moment but i'm alright again now.
matrags 3 months ago
Victor Hely-Hutchinson's A Carol Symphony, 3rd mvt. Should you ever wish to dig out the whole thing :)
GedUK 4 months ago
@talcy too right about the radiophonic workshop, their screetching noise was on everything in the 80s gave me tinitis !
iosnick 4 months ago
Brilliant music, Brilliant story and of course the Brilliant Patrick Troughton! Got this on dvd box set and watch it every Christmas, pure magick!
milbury55 5 months ago
Brilliant, evocative music ruined by that Radiophonic Workshop tat at the end. Still, a lot of memories. Should watch this again nearer to Christmas.
talcy 5 months ago
The early 80's was a great time to be a kid , what with this , Doctor Who , Chocky , The Tripods etc. Well written intelligent drama's . Patrick Troughton & Patricia Quinn were ace in this . Christmas 1984 ( when this was first shown) was one of my favourites.
rockdave2007 5 months ago 2
Andrehiltre
Jesus, you twat! It was just a kids' show about a magic box and you shove your brainless agenda onto it. Pathetic! It is scary what happens to people when they can't get laid...ever.
jamesfelixdupont 5 months ago
Such a beautiful programme. I bought this for my children for Chistmas last year. It was so nice to watch something clean and pure, without all the homosexual perverts and coons on the TV corrupting their young minds.
AndreHiltre 5 months ago
Comment removed
SuperHelga66 5 months ago
@AndreHiltre You deluded bastard.
pufferfishish 4 months ago
@pufferfishish It is You, who is deluded. With society collapsing around us, blind idiots like you will soon be a victim of the chaos.
AndreHiltre 4 months ago
@AndreHiltre The tragedy is that your comment was lovely until halfway through the second line. I pity your narrow-mindedness, really.
pufferfishish 4 months ago
@pufferfishish Yeah, the real tragedy is the fact that children growing up today are bombarded with sex and violence on TV, in movies and in music.
AndreHiltre 4 months ago
@AndreHiltre Yes, I agree with you, but that's no reason to attack gay or black people.
pufferfishish 4 months ago
Damn they don't make anything like this anymore
Maltray 6 months ago
noseybonk im avoiding this, never liked the look of him, what is it...a mental elephant man ?.
peterpeterxxo 6 months ago
box of delights was first on tv dec 1984, this is good enuff to watch in 600yrs time,
peterpeterxxo 6 months ago
Ah Mister Abner Brown and the scrounger - with a thing that goes round and round - turns you to dogmeat!
alanstarkie2001 6 months ago
Bravo! you have used the haunting Victor Hely-Hutchinson music they always used for the BBC radio version on Children's Hour way back in the 1940s!!! The TV version was splendid, but honestly it was e v e n m o r e magical on steam radio
CharlotteinWeimar 7 months ago
OH WOW!!! Brings it all back! Why on earth has this not been repeated on the BBC in 30 years???!!! I remember it being fantastic - that opening still sends shivers up my spine. Thanks for posting! :)
WaftyHippyLass 7 months ago
I love how the music starts off sounding really creepy but then resolves itself into 'The First Nowell'. Cool!
Sozymandias 7 months ago
And this one- no wonder im fooked up- i did blame my parents but i blame this & Nosey bonk now!
yoginiclare 7 months ago
Children's programmes will never be the same. It's all sex sex sex.
Littlelambism 9 months ago
When the Dark is Rising,
Six shall turn it back...
Ooops wrong book...
(I've read both "Dark is Rising" and "Box of Delights", many similarities of theme)
rozniy 9 months ago
I think this series from what i can remember of it, having only seen repeats as i was too young when it was originally aired was fantastic, which is why i have ordered the DVD. I think it is a great pity that this page is littered with comments that are deeply offensive and against the law, to use language like this would be classed as a hate crime especially towards minority groups. I hope the uploader and You Tube take action swiftly.
DaveyC95 9 months ago
Huge respect to Robert Stephens, a most under appreciated actor.
steve1976ification 9 months ago
Something that Childrens BBC are sadly lacking. A good family drama especially a christmas one like this good old 1984 classic. Nowadays, i feel that the BBC Childrens progs have become patronising of late, sadly.
BuddyFantastic 10 months ago
Not the first time some people have seen Patrick Troughton's grim face looming towards them from the distance, lol.
doctorwhoobawooba 10 months ago
these opening title images are like a series of psychologists prompts to try to trigger long forgotten abuse.
38Highbury 11 months ago
this was excellent television - i think the bottom 2 comments you both need to sort it out -
geoffdoor 11 months ago
Comment removed
AndreHiltre 11 months ago
@AndreHiltre RASIST PIG I hope your children grow up to be more educated than you. Clearly you lack simple intelligence. Your poor children, to have a father as thick as pigshit
BARRINGTON2000 11 months ago
Comment removed
AndreHiltre 11 months ago
@AndreHiltre get a life you you sad twat dick head ur ive got a well paid job ur wot a looser bye bye twat......
MrBrucelee1978 11 months ago
Comment removed
AndreHiltre 11 months ago
magic pure magic you haff to grow up with this sort of thing
to understand im 32 now but i remember all this sort of tv
so clearly i wish it was the same now.....
MrBrucelee1978 1 year ago
Such a creepy christmas theme tune. The visuals help to make it quite nightmarish. No wonder it's so vividly remembered!
The music is from Victor Hely-Hutchinson's Carol Symphony. It's on the Naxos label, and you can get it easily on iTunes or on Spotify.
The tune's unique sinister effect comes from the inspired blending together of the beautiful Coventry Carol (heard quietly behind the harp at the begining) and the delightful The First Noel. The Coventry Carol is reprised in a much more ove
mangatank 1 year ago 2
Comment removed
tvbabay 1 month ago
anyone know how i can get this as a ringtone on my phone?
TheConspiracyMan8 1 year ago
@TheConspiracyMan8 get 'JDownloader' google it, its free. Fire it up and copy the url of this (or any other youtube vid) page, it will give you the option to save the video or just the audio as a file on its own (as an mp3)
ZoltarSoulFunk 8 months ago
I "borrowed" the dvd from my sister, gone sit and enjoy this over the next week or so... REALLY brings back memories of childhood, no idea how old I was when this came out, But I think I was in primary school and the 1st Noel is my FAVOURITE christmas carol.. if it is one :-)We spend a lot of time hatin on the beeb these days.. They did and DO still make some magic stuff!
gsa974 1 year ago
no theme tune has ever made me feel as nostalgic as I do now! I'm 18 and my dad used to play me this video every christmas when i was a kid. absolutely love it, despite the effects and the questionable acting!
patrickacoustic1 1 year ago
A truly magical series! I first watched it when I was 13 years old. The Box of Delights is always a great start to Christmas. Its true they don't make stuff like this anymore!
OwenLawDragonLine 1 year ago
Shame the bbc does not bother making good drama like this anymore they are more interested in reality rubbish and importing American crap now.
allyplumb 1 year ago 2
@allyplumb I feel the same way. I lived in the UK back in the late 80's-early 90's, and although I missed all the American TV, films, and food, British TV had better quality. Especially children's TV shows.
Nowadays, the country is completely Americanized. Worse, your country has imported all of the WORST habits of mine; huge cars, conspicuous consumption, guns, etc.
MondoBeno 1 year ago
I'm 20 so this was first shown 6 years before I was born...my Mum videoed it off the TV with the idea that when she had kids we would watch it together. 26 years on my brother, my parents and I have watched it every single Christmas...love it so much!!!
Sophie364 1 year ago
this programme made christmas when i was much, much younger - really got me in the mood
78rikkers 1 year ago
if you go to GARNETHILL1 you can hear the whole theme . i have its great, going there now ENJOY
hants68 1 year ago
Just purchased this again to watch with the kids.. Fantastic...
beefybotham121 1 year ago
Magical indeed.
jonascord11 1 year ago
This brings back such happy memories. I watched this in 1984 when I was still in junior school and always thought the titles to be wonderfully bewitching. Great series!
MattJMcDade 1 year ago
@safariman
the dvd has been out 5 years at least - the box set i was meaning. was a 3 disk special edition....disk 3 being the making of box of delights..
stussyhuff 1 year ago
You can download the MP3 of the theme tune on Amazon as part of the album, A Classic Christmas. The title is, "The Forst Nowell" and it's by Barry Rose/Pro Arte Orchestra. I can recommend the album actually, it's very good value.
Vennegoor10 1 year ago
It was first shown in 1988, wasn't it?, coz that was my first year in Secondary school, and it was shown before Christmas that year.
mattnemski 1 year ago
@mattnemski No. 1984 was the 1st yr :)
richieh1980 1 year ago
kev75uk you are absolutely right. Couldn't agree with you more!
charliefarley1000 1 year ago
god doma
EltBerserker 1 year ago
Great memories, this and The Frog Chorus/Paul McCartney, as well as Band Aid summed up this Christmas (1984). This was when Christmas was magical, before it was so very commercialised like now. The simple things mattered and I remember the small things, when we didn't have/need Nintendo DS's and iPods.
kev75uk 1 year ago 12
@kev75uk Very well expressed.
aliensintheloft 2 months ago
@kev75uk So very sadly true.
TheMasterNo6 2 months ago
you can buy the box set off ebay and yeah a total xmas classic from 1984
stussyhuff 1 year ago
@stussyhuff
Now available on dvd too :)
safariman72 1 year ago
This reminds me so much of christmas growing up in the 80s... the music is really nostalgic and festive...
MrRichieq 1 year ago 9
Remember it this series from 1985 but hadn't got around to seeing it until last November when I bought it on DVD. And I'm glad I did.
jimmysherriff 1 year ago 2
forgot this one. thanks.
earthsunlover 1 year ago
I'm still in therapy. Yeah, thanks a lot childrens TV!
MirrorSymmetry 1 year ago
SCCCAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYY!
Fedaykin24 1 year ago 2
really loved this as a young child. Great memories
calumastra 1 year ago
my childhood has just come flooding back to me, i am sooo emotional!
BreakingGlassFilms 1 year ago
i tiled the actor who was the rats house in bath lol he got me into real coffee nice bloke too
moleworthy 1 year ago
The title music is the Carol Symphony by Victor Hely-Hutchinson. The entire symphony is terrific. Perfect choice for this adaptation. The original books by John Masefield are a great read. The Midnight Folk is the first Kay Harker story; The Box od Delights is the second, with a few characters recurring from the first story. I understand there were to be new TV productions of both stories for release at Christmas 2010. Have also heard rumors of s film adaptation of The Box of Delights.
dpej3 1 year ago
I wonder how this would work as a big screen film
gallafey 1 year ago
I vaguely remember tuning in for this as a wee boy but I have to admit, that intro is pretty sinister for a kids tv program and always creeped me out a bit. Thanks for uploading!
JayRage 1 year ago
what a haunting opening xx its just shiver down your spine and the the christmas theme, excellent
Shazam961 1 year ago
I remember watching the Box of delights way back in 1984 and it scared the crap out of me especially the end credits where it showed the close up of the Wolf and it eyes I just was so scared
Shazam961 1 year ago
i always loved this as a child. i haven't seen it for decades, but at the time i think the acting and story really worked for me. (compare some of the appalling acting in other children's dramas, like those "narnia" adaptations!)
i really wish they'd given abner an american accent, though. a really smooth, southern accent. if i ever get to read the books aloud to my own children, that's how i'll do it! ^^
ailblentyn 1 year ago
OMG Xmas as a kid coming back wow
Ske11en 1 year ago
OMFGGGGGGGGGGGG!
you found a piece of my childhood in its original form. thank you so much poster.
KnowsNothing613 1 year ago
@KnowsNothing613 It's on DVD! I have it and its great! Can remember it in Christmas 1984.
fraserkatie 1 year ago
I loved this as a child! Bought it a few years ago on DVD and it's now part of my build up to Christmas every year. Best enjoyed with a good hot posset! ;)
catpainblakudder 1 year ago
And I melt a bit inside when "the first noel" creeps into the theme tune. I hope my daughter watches this with her kids one day
robdavidwheeler 1 year ago
I love this - it has a timeless charm and innocence that belongs to the world i grew up in, everything on television is just so cynical these days. I have a dvd collection of over 2000 discs, full of classics like this, and me and my 9 yo daughter watch these on cold rainy nights instead of those awful and disgraceful celebrity/reality things!
robdavidwheeler 1 year ago 4
@robdavidwheeler So true, fantastic drama, The CHildren of Green Knowe is another great.
GaraGambini 1 year ago
This is arguably one of the most fu**ed up things I have ever watched on the internet.
TheBoondoggler 2 years ago
@TheBoondoggler
LOL, I agree. The intro sequence is definitely too unsettling for children.
GrandDizzy 1 year ago
@GrandDizzy ....very disturbing!! great show
71ibanez 1 year ago
Wow! I had no idea they were making a new film of this.
The intro is really quite scary until you get to the First Noel part!
GrandDizzy 2 years ago
watched all of this just before xmas,wrapping xmas presents,great nostalgia and apart form some dodgy effects,it still holds up and somethign the BBC doesn't make anymore...
memoir4you 2 years ago 9
@memoir4you Yeah man, I got this on DVD and watched it a couple of months back to see if I had remembered it correctly - and I had.
Brilliant ....
MrDORSETBOY 1 year ago
@memoir4you - This brings back memories of Christmas in the mid-80s, back when I was too young to understand what was going on in the World. The BBCs version of the Chronicles of Narnia happened during the start of my Teenage Years so I guess I hold onto that more. I have them on DVD.
soeffingwhat 1 year ago
I always try and watch this before Christmas. The music stirs such emotion. A truly haunting series, that will stay with me forever.
MrHawksmoor 2 years ago 43
@MrHawksmoor I did have this on video, but it's degraded quite a lot. Towards the end all the actors sound like Daleks from Doctor Who!
This was a terrific show, and one of the reasons for this is it wasn't made just for kids, it was made for everybody to enjoy
reptongeek 1 year ago
@MrHawksmoor here here
gluepot66 8 months ago
@MrHawksmoor I always try and watch the BBC 80s adaptation of 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' just before Christmas for exactly the same reason. The dodgy special effects don't seem to matter.
runforthehills707 7 months ago
@MrHawksmoor
innit...its a cliché but they really dont make stuff like this anymore
bigmeuprudeboy 3 months ago
Watched the first two episodes last two days (three days before Xmas) It's good and the plot is better than I remember. There's a good 1940s nostalgiac vibe about it. The only real downside so far is that the 'not so special' effects are extremely dated and so bad in fact that they ruin the subtle ambience built up by the music and excellent outside location 'snow' shots.
milesdavisblackmx5 2 years ago
I agree. Some people say that the tackiness of the effects make it - and it's good to remember what technical effects were like in the early eighties, but I think when they remastered it for dvd they could have spent a bit of money at least on some proper snowfall - it would have gone far better with the real snow they used
jamieh1974 2 years ago
Yes, something truely sinister. It stays with you. It is a feeling of child hood which never leaves some people. That if you just found the right lock and turned the right key, at the right time a world beyond this one would be open to you. But there is a price, there is always a price. We don't see this these days. Everything is cute and cuddly or hard as nails. There is no little left for the sinister fary tale.
clymangus 2 years ago 4
I was well grown up when this was on the telly, still watched it though. Love the music.....
shrivel1 2 years ago
I remember watching the first episode (I was 11) and it blew me away. However, I also remember it going downhill after about three episodes and the plot getting a bit stupid. I'd be interested to watch it again now in my mid-30s to see if it still holds up and also to see if it really does go a bit rubbish after three episodes.
milesdavisblackmx5 2 years ago
im about to watch episode 4 next day off, so im hoping it doesnt go rubbish, but now you say... the dvd will prove it...lol
LimaLima95 2 years ago
@LimaLima95 I've actually just downloaded the whole series for free, so I'll watch them over Xmas - to see if they still retain some of their original 'delights'.
milesdavisblackmx5 2 years ago
I agree too. The meet up with the man in the sand etc was dull. Much preferred the adventure with the kids during the first few episodes- then the final one
still stuff of magic!
jamieh1974 2 years ago
I have now watched the whole series again and my original thoughts still hold. The effects are terrible and some of the later plot just gets ridiculous - talking heads, greek soldiers, etc. However, I think the film they are making of this in 2011 could be something a bit special - if they do it right, i.e get the 1930s Xmas atmosphere across, etc. The original idea has a lot of potential and Kay Harker could even rival the Harry Potter franchise!
milesdavisblackmx5 2 years ago
My most favourite thing to watch over christmas!! The music is so chilling!
Macaroon82 2 years ago
I was 10 when this was first shown and loved it then. Haven't seen it since but we've just got it on DVD and are going to watch it over Christmas. Hopefully it'll be as good as I remember.
stevenkeeley1976 2 years ago
The title music is an excerpt from Hely-Hutchinson's Carol Symphony. The whole thing is well worth a listen. The CD is £4.58 from Amazon
MogggyMorris 2 years ago
i remember rat face ,,,shat myself
dazzelknight 2 years ago 2
Proper shit-your-pants stuff this as a kid - don't think children could handle this these days...
macolypse 2 years ago
i watched the series in 84, whilst still at uni, got the vhs box set,, then last txmas got dvd box set. yes i`m still a child at heart...
stussyhuff 2 years ago
Oh my god, I couldn't sleep when i was a kid when this was on
seoulbadger 2 years ago
yeah - i remember it being freaky as well but I cant remember any episodes
supersoulls 2 years ago
This used to freak me out as a kid.
slick32 2 years ago
thats what garry glitter told the kids about his box of delights
JOCKATEO 2 years ago
This has become a christmas eve classic in our family, I'm 33 with no kids .
we all get get together and dress the tree(polite way of saying drunk people throw stuff at it), xmas songs and a good dose of xmas cheer and then sit down and watch the box of delights ( oh how i wish i could get my hands on the radio recordings of 'The Midnight Folk' my mum read it to me as a child and it remains my favourite childrens book of all time ) good times, looking forward to this year's assault on xmas !
lookoutkids 2 years ago
Hurray!! Nearly time to dig the dvd out again!
That scary clown face still chills my blood to this day..
MrBishop72 2 years ago 3
Great take on the christmas carol 'Noel, Noel'
CriticalHit43 2 years ago
Probably my favourite kids prog of all time( doctor who being a family prog)
cu16855 2 years ago
Doctor Who is a children's programme, complete with death and monsters. All children are interested in death and monsters!
randomdave30 2 years ago
WOW sorta rem this scary stuff dont rem what its about scary tho for a kid
danchapers 2 years ago
Ratty scared me as a kid, I loved this series.
HarryPartridge 2 years ago
This reminds me of christmas
TheDevilsGuard 2 years ago
I remember this all those years ago. Every time I hear Silent Night it reminds me of this serial. I didn't realise when I first saw it, that Patrick Troughton was in it - possibly the best Dr Who ever.
randomdave30 2 years ago
It's not Silent Night, it's Noel
thesoundboyedd 2 years ago
I didn't know that. I used to work for a chap called Noel.
randomdave30 2 years ago
Great chidhood memories for me this watching it with my mum just before xmas. The children of green knowe was ace too.
cnc2ooo 2 years ago
this takes me back ...
IMDBmoderator 2 years ago
I watch this every Christmas on DVD.
JackTraven2525 2 years ago 3
So do I!
khirst007 2 years ago
Ahh I remember this. It was awesome!
Wow, there were some really fucked up shit on TV when I was a kid.
venger 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
some fairly frightening images to begin the programme with - a wolf, a horrid puppet and some assorted peadophiles.
I'd learnt the theme tune on my snazzy Casio VL-tone synthesiser. Fuck you Little Boots.
38Highbury 2 years ago
nice comment +1 ;)
electtrickabuki 2 years ago
According to wikipedia theyre gona 'remake' this! fuck sake, new age bollacks, writers are too stupid to think up new ideas so they destroy classics! theyre remakeing the carry on's aswell! Bastards
mcflurey667 2 years ago
They're going to ruin it arent they :(
khirst007 2 years ago
great show. id love a copy if anyone can help, to show my kids.
tadge72 2 years ago
You can get it on DVD, at least I do of Amazon UK a couple of years back.
LurkingCrassZero 2 years ago
I'm thinking of asking the BBC to show this again at Christmas (2009). It's 25 years since it was first shown in Christmas 1984! Everytime I watch it, it always takes me back. I love this programme.
sgmack1969 2 years ago 4
I am a new user.Thank you for posting this i have always loved this programme.
patrick troughton was great in it.
busbybird 2 years ago 2
themember chocky? thats on here as well plus chockys children. Also moon dial and green Knowe. the one i really want to see again isnt tho. the machine gunners.
gluepot66 2 years ago
oh and stig of the dump. stig of the dump lol. but i loved watching this again so much takes me right back in time. never seen any of the one off kids dramas from ten years prior they were repeated i remember. magic tshirts 2 boys fishing and tracing an underground river with a deviner rod. and model airoplanes shooting each other down with darts class
gluepot66 2 years ago
I used to really like this - a good mix of adventure, mystery and danger with some intense cliff-hangers. I seem to remember the bbc made a number good kids christmas drama series in the eighties. I'd love to see some again.
Love that theme tune too.
theestever 2 years ago 2
What a creepy yet awesome beginning to the popular Xmas hymn... Great show too!!
philcross73 2 years ago 2
this was a seriously creepy programme-hated it was so trippy!
speakforyourself85 2 years ago
por fin vuelvo a escuchar esa música, después de 20 años.....
pgraf07 2 years ago
wow this was amzing tv show.......loved the intro and music
artyruthy 2 years ago
I remember this was one of those quality kids dramas that the beeb used to put on every year in the run up to Christmas. Used to love these programmes and every week it was on it was one week closer to Crimbo.
Fages1 2 years ago 5
i miss my childhood, they don't make kids programs like this anymore. Very fond memories
hosslar79 2 years ago 7
The opening music to this programme was the most magical, bewitching and captivating I had ever heard at the time, the series first began, It was a wonderful time of my life, as a carefree child with a wild imagination. I wish I could go back! fantastic series
baberconnew 3 years ago 25
Comment removed
sunkat76 2 years ago
i agree - used to love this. It was paramount in our house that what ever else happened my little brother and i could not miss this. We lived in an old house in a tiny country lane which was very woody and spooky and I used to pretend this was all happening around us. Childhood imagination.......sighhh
Truly magical :)
sunkat76 2 years ago
I read that the BBC are going to film another Box of Delights along with its prequel, Midnight Folk, aimed for 2010, presumably Christmas time.
In response to tardistuner's question, Cole Hawlings is the name of the mysterious owner of the Box and Kay Harker is the young protaganist of the story.
spoonful50 3 years ago
Love this music
Narnialover4 3 years ago 5
From the days when TV wasnt dumbed down - patrick troughton was superb in this show! even in my late 30`s this tune still gives me the "willies"
darrowby1972 3 years ago 6
Wonderful childrens programme. They just don't make them like this anymore. R.I.P. British TV :(
NuckinFuts666 3 years ago 2
This is a lovely mysterious version of the hymn the first noel.patrick troughton who played the 2nd doctor who is very good as the wizard character what is his name? is it cole hawlings or is that the name of the young boy?
tardistuner 3 years ago 2
this used to scare the b'jesus out of me!
daji79 3 years ago
The music, if any of you have any interest in such, wasn't specifically commissioned for the programme.
It's by the little-known but extremely talented South African-born, English-bred composer Victor Hely-Hutchinson, written in 1927.
This particular piece is a movement - Andante, based on The First Nowell - from his Carol Symphony. Listen to Classic FM this time of the year and you'll hear it virtually very hour!
ftmgriff 3 years ago
Just seen this comment! wow thanks for your info on this, I will try and get this piece of music. Just for myself! It's nice to have some magic in your life, even if it is just from a piece of music!
baberconnew 2 years ago 3
Still sends a shiver down my spine listening to that. Or maybe I just need to turn up the heating.
And could you imagine today that the first thing featured on a Children's TV programme would be a picture of a snarling wolf?
tantive4 3 years ago
even though it is incredibly dated- even tho its set in the 40s/50s what kid there days would get worked up about a church service? deserves a remake but theyd have to change the ending...maybe it could be a xmas rave!
tadge72 3 years ago