Underground overground, Wombling free. The Wombles of Wimbledon common are we. Undoubtedly, the Wombles have made an impression since their first publication in 1968. The eco message of recycling and tidying is as relevant now as it was then. Elizabeth Beresford’s books have crossed over into other media many times. It could be said that the Wombles truly hit the big time when they set paws onto the small screen via a stop-frame animated series.
Fabulous Films has issued a complete box set of FilmFair’s The Wombles on DVD and Blu-Ray, making its debut on the latter. All 60 series episodes aired between 1974 and 1975 have been remastered and restored from the best film elements available. This means a complete overhaul from previous physical media releases and the show’s first time in high definition.
My Personal Connection to The Wombles
I have been a Wombes fan for as long as I can remember. I loved watching The Wombles on an old hand-me-down VHS I had at home. The adventures of Uncle Bulgaria, Tobermory, Bungo, Tomsk, Wellington, Madame Cholet and (most importantly) Orinoco were enduring parts of my childhood. The mix of humour, slapstick and important but not exaggerated eco message was made possible thanks to the stories of Elizabeth Beresford, Ivor Wood’s direction and Bernard Cribbins’s narration. Top that off with a catchy Mike Batt theme song, which propelled The Wombles to conquer the Pop world.
I had the previous DVD release of the series, which came out over 15 years ago. These would have been sourced from old masters that were beginning to look a little tired even by then. Once the talk of a Blu-Ray remaster began circulating, I sold my old set and have waited over a year for its release.
The Show Itself
What can be said about The Wombles that hasn’t already been told thousands of times? Very little. These were five-minute episodes that aired in the 1970s just before the 6 o’clock news. They would have been made with children in mind but still had enough for adults to enjoy.
The stop-frame animation of Ivor Wood is timeless, and has lost none of it’s appeal. It may appear a little uneven at moments, but it only adds to it. The execution of the stories are timeless in theme but tinged with nostalgia. The Wombles usually find an object that can be recycled for another use, Throw in witty dialogue and impressive slapstick, and you have The Wombles.
Blu-Ray Picture
These episodes have been remastered from the best surviving 16mm film elements. As someone who has seen these episodes multiple times, I was astonished by the quality of the picture on this set. The recent Paddington Bear release was impressive, but this one felt like another level thanks to the differences in set design. Paddington is characterised by his model standing out on white backgrounds with drawn figures and occasional 3D props. The Wombles utilises more colour and props, which pop even more in HD.
The most impressive feature of this restored image is the Wombles themselves. Individual strands of fur are distinguishable from one another, and additional texture on clothes. With the improved clarity comes a better depth of field, each character feels like they’re right there for you to touch.
Some viewers may dislike this window-like vision of a TV show from the 70s. I’ve previously seen comments about people sometimes preferring the dusty old print because it has a nostalgic quality. I can understand this, but I also cannot recommend this set highly enough. It adds a whole new appreciation to the skills of the people who made it and the work involved.
Blu-Ray Sound
The audio has been restored from the best available elements. This has been the case with other recent releases from Fabulous Films. The audio tracks by Kenneth Williams and Michael Hordern on Willo the Wisp and Paddington Bear respectively have sounded brighter and clearer than I could have imagined. Bernard Cribbins can now join the list of crisply restored soundtracks that sound better than ever.
Mike Batt’s theme music sounds as polished as ever. I recall seeing old prints where the theme was a little worn, this isn’t the case here. Everything sounds nicely uniform, and as it should.
Blu-Ray Packaging
Correcting the fault of previous releases, they have used an era-appropriate image of the Wombles for the front cover. The text is unobtrusive, but I would have preferred the 3-disc set and the accompanying image to have been omitted.
The Blu-Ray set comes in a case enclosed in a cardboard outer cover. From the copy I bought, the inner box fits loosely into the sleeve so be careful when handling it as it can slip out easily. I do question the necessity for an additional sleeve as the other recent animation releases from Fabulous Films don’t have one, so it (rightly or wrongly) sticks out on the shelf.
Extras
The special features here are plentiful considering the age of the material. An interview featuring Barry Leith discusses his contributions at FilmFair, particularly highlighting his work on Paddington and The Wombles. This interesting feature, offering intriguing insights, is also part of the latest Paddington release.
The next bonus is Mike Batt: The Wombles and Me, an intimate interview that discusses his involvement. There is also a feature on author Elizabeth Beresford. I always love the attention to detail on these releases, and the willingness to include bonus content.
Interestingly, the box set includes a DVD of the 1978 film Wombling Free, directed by Lionel Jeffries. This is not a new transfer, but rather just an addition of a previously released disc. While it may be disappointing that the film is not presented in HD, one must commend Fabulous Films for choosing to include it. It’s an addition which makes the set feel a little more bulky, a welcome bonus.
I have observed calls from fans asking why The Wombles‘ music videos or Top of the Pops performances weren’t included as an extra. This would have involved licensing from the BBC and any other relevant rights holders, an expense that would have possibly exceeded the budget for the whole release.
Conclusion
Fabulous Films has compiled an amazing release that features The Wombles‘ 1970s heyday looking better than ever. These episodes are timeless, and can now continue entertaining fans and newcomers for the foreseeable future. There is also a DVD available, but I’d opt for the Blu-Ray simply to get the best experience possible. Highly recommended. The Wombles is available on Blu-Ray from Fabulous Films.
The Future of These Releases
Based on the quality presented in this set, I would love to see Fabulous Films dive further into Ivor Wood’s catalogue. The outstanding details seen in the outdoor scenes of The Wombles make me think The Herbs and The Adventures of Parsley would be next level. The extra detail on props and background objects could really enhance the artistry of Woodland Animations productions including Bertha and Charlie Chalk. Lastly, the brighter-sounding narration would work well on a restored Postman Pat.
