Children of the Stones

Wonderful HTV series for children that still sends a shiver up the spine, Children of the Stones is a masterclass in how to create atmosphere on a low budget, although the plot, largely borrowed from Invasion of the Body Snatchers, doesn't make a great deal of sense. The brilliant soundtrack of wordless choral music contributes immensely, while the Avebury setting with its weathered stones is used to excellent effect. Some reviewers have suggested it is like a kids' version of The Wicker Man - not really, this is played very straight and has none of The Wicker Man's comedy or eccentricity. Night of the Demon might be a closer comparison.

Iain Cuthbertson puts in a trademark eye-rolling performance, while the parents Gareth Thomas and Veronica Strong are a bit too like the nice teachers at school. The child actors do well, and are less irritating than most. Freddie Jones hams it up like a good 'un, and Ruth Dunning is the housekeeper from hell.

The ending is truly awful, sci-fi gobbledegook that merely provides a form of words to allow them all to stop. It is all about atmosphere, leaving logic and coherence behind at the boundary of Milbury.

If you haven't seen Children of the Stones yet, I strongly suggest you do. It is appropriate for all age levels and is an extremely well written and well preformed miniseries. As was the case with the BBC and other british TV production houses in the '70's, they operated on a shoestring budget. While this limited any serious use of special effects, it allowed for great script writing with a well thought out storyline. Children of the Stones will draw you into an odd, sometimes surreal, story about a small country town with a strange history centering around the ancient standing stones in and around the town. What begins as a simple scientific survey of the stones by an "outsider" and his teenage son soon becomes an investigation of a number of oddities with the townfolk and the strange history of the area. The local museum curator, another "outsider", joins in experience. The past and present mingle. The town and it's people have a tale to tell. Spellbinding and sometimes spooky, Children of the Stones will draw you in and keep you riveted, wanting for more! The plot is not as thin as one might think when beginning the journey. What is the secret of the town? Why are the people wary of visitors, but at the same time try to entice strangers to stay and live there? What happens to a person for them to suddenly change their minds and make them decide to become a permanent resident? How are the ancient standing stones connected with it all? If you appreciate a great plot, this miniseries is a must-see.

I was 5 when I saw this, far too young and It certainly scared me.

Watching 30 years later, I could remember many of the scenes. This is quite a disturbing piece of childrens TV.

Scientist Adam and his bright son Matthew move to the small, sleepy, happy village of Milbury. An attractive little place, slap bang on the site of an Ancient Stone circle, it's a village with a secret.

A really enjoyable series for people of all ages, I find it such a shame that series such as this aren't made for today's youngsters, back in the 70's there seemed to be a wealth of programmes made for teens, some pretty memorable, iconic programmes.

I'm sure those that watched this during its transmission remember it fondly, and for good reason, it's a very watchable and enjoyable series. Enough good stuff going on for first time viewers too.

Very 70's in terms of production values, music and clothing, so expect plenty of dodgy ties and haircuts.

8/10 definitely one to watch.

I remember watching this series when it was first aired many years ago - In fact while I was still at school! I find it hard to believe its for kids, as the plot is a complex one that most young kids probably would not follow. The story is father & son visit milbury, (actually its Avebury, Wilts - Not far from Stonehedge), a village surrounded by a circle of stones. Once people enter the village they cant leave! Adam brake is the scientist who saves the day.

The series was run mid 90's several times on the Childrens Channel. I managed to pick the entire series up on video a few years ago, now I want the DVD versions (somehow i dont think this will happen!!)

Catch it if you can!