Jack Holborn

They don't make children's series like this anymore and they might never again. It's a truly international production filmed on location in New Zealand and former Yugoslavia as a 5 hour movie split into 12 parts. There's a great plot with mystery, betrayal, mistaken identity, friendship and the odd bit of swashbuckling here and there. You see it all through the eyes of orphan Jack Holborn, nicely played by Patrick Bach as a kind-hearted boy who wins over everyone he meets with his honesty and bravery. It's not watered down like most kids series and despite the drawbacks of dubbing it still comes across as pretty real on the human level even 20 years on (recent French DVD release). The final moment never fails to bring a lump to my throat. Just terrific from start to finish.

I still do not know of anyone personally who remembers this brilliant series except me. It is a classic swashbuckling affair set (mostly) on a pirate ship, the central character being a young stow-away called Jack Holborn.

I have long wished to track down a copy of the series and have finally been successful in finding it for sale on DVD from Amazon Germany and Amazon France! The only problem is that there is no English Soundtrack and I don't speak German or French! However, it was amazing to see it again as what had mostly stuck in my mind was the imagery and scenery and the music. Watching it was like going back in time to the days of childhood TV on days off school with not much to do. I have also purchased the original book on which the series is based, by Leon Garfield.

Reading the book shall hopefully fill in all the gaps in my memory and also serve as a means of translation for me and all those who speak not in the Germanic or Franco tongues.

I first saw this series about 20 years ago, about 1984 I think, my parents taped them for my brother and me and I still own the old tapes. I haven't seen them in years though as I was afraid I could damage the tapes but gladly the series was released on DVD now and I could watch it in a much better quality then I used to. It impressed me a lot when I was a kid, watching it again now brings up some memories and I still have to say that for a mini series from the 80s it is a great one. Many shots made on sea, beautiful ships, solid made model works, good actors, it got all it takes and I still think it's not only for kids. Even without cgi they filmed on many locations that perfectly fit in the looks of the 18th century, clothing, uniforms and tools make the illusion perfect. It's a bit cheesy that most things turn out fine and too many things happen coincidental, the swordfights between the pirates and the crew of the Charming Molly don't look that convincing than they did back when I was a kid (Braveheart and Lord of the Rings set a new standart in hack'n'slash on the screen) but what the heck, it's still awesome and gets the full 10 points from me for nostalgic reason. Go Jack, go!

It's easy to forget just how old this series is. I remember watching this on TV in 1984, being the same age then as the principal character. Back then I concentrated on Patrick Bach's extraordinary performance as Jack, to this day it's impossible to see anyone else achieving what he did.

Viewing the DVD 30 years later on a wide screen TV there is so much more there that I missed first time round. Anyone who thinks being an actor is glamorous should watch the shipboard scenes. You can literally smell the dirt, grime and salt water. Contrast with the Hornblower films where everything is implausibly clean. Glorious performances by the adults, Monte Markam as Solomon Trumpet being the best of a great cast. Plus of course a superb music score by Christian Bruhn.

Even back as a 13 year old I appreciated the intelligent way the film makers treated the audience. For example, they didn't shrink from showing us close-ups of Judge Sheringham's injuries. Patrick Bach looks as if he really did want to be sick in that scene, rather than it being just an act. Not surprising - back in the day I felt queasy watching it.

At its heart Jack Holborn is a morality tale, the message being keep your humanity whatever the situation. Jack has his life threatened at every turn yet never speaks roughly to anyone else, or acts in a morally questionable way. Unrealistic you might think, but intentional. The stress of doing this while surrounded by pirates finally snaps in a very powerful scene where out of earshot Jack screams "I'm not a criminal !!" while smashing everything he can find.

All the episodes are great but the final one packs a series of emotional punches so powerful it is still hard work to watch.

I loved it. This is a great mini-series/movie. Clearly the best adventure movie I have seen. I don't know if is even available in the US. I saw it in Europe. I have never seen it here. But anyway, the cast is great, the plot terrific, and the designs and clothing as well as the sailships were GREAT!!!!!