User reviews

I used to love the classic series with Jon Pertwee, so I had my reservations about a reboot, in reality I totally enjoyed it, as did the whole family. It was fun, entertaining and just lovely. Mackenzie Crook was excellent as Worzel Gummidge, I thought he looked incredible, and gave a very good, sincere performance. I wonder what the future holds for this show, it was pure escapism. Steve Pemberton gave a fine performance, the youngsters were very good also.

Instantly made me feel nostalgic, and dig the original series out.

A charming series. 8/10

A very good hours of TV. Beautifully acted and filmed. Would love to know whereabouts it was filmed (recognised Luton Museum in Wardown Park) but scenery was stunning. British TV at its best

When i heard it was being remade i had my doubts but this is very well done. The story the scenery the music and the acting are all good. Its an English folk tale in essence. Well done Mackenzie i look forward hopefully to more episodes.

I have just watched the first episode of this two part series and found it wonderfully imaginative even for a near 70 year-old like me. Mackenzie Crook played Worzel to perfection with his words of wisdom and the robin chicks in his pocket was a nice touch. The two children, having experienced a little bit of magic in their lives, reacted with a sense of wonder that I would have felt at that age. I hope that a longer series is planned for 2020/21. I will be watching!

I remember the original from years ago and it bought back memories. The casting was good and although a simple story it's very enjoyable and entertaining. Mackenzie Crook makes a good worzel and it would be nice for the BBC to explore making a series of it as it's different from some of the things on telly today.

Just watched the first episode, a gentle, funny and engaging adaptation. Mackenzie Crook has captured the essence of Worzel perfectly, a kindly but scatty scarecrow, looking after the balance of nature. The CGI effects are cleverly done, really bringing alive the illusion of the scarecrow. The only problem - it's really made me wish for summer in the English countryside again!

We watch as an adult family and laughed all the way through it, Brilliantly written and acted. BBC, please make it a series.

Watched this with my grand children - we were all enchanted with this version. Very gentle with lovely scenery. Faithful to the story. Utterly charming. Particularly liked the gathering of the scarecrows and the folk song while they worked their magic!

Excellent work by Mackenzie Crook in this updated Worzel Gummidge. I loved the original as a child but I like this even better. Two unhappy children are fostered to a farm where they are mistaken for fellow scarecrows by Worzel. The plot, about the seasons being locked, is simple enough for the youngest child to follow but the pace is cracking and the characters well drawn. Vicki Pepperdine is superb as the cantankerous Aunt Sally. There are some laugh out loud lines, as when Worzel enquires at the meeting with a murder of crows what they want in return for a favour "Cash...and guns." Scorsese, eat your heart out!

Jan 2022

Oh dear, what have they done to Wurzel Gummidge. I have watched all 6 episodes there have been so far, they have made too many changes from the originals and i have to say every change was a mistake.

The comedy has gone, its become a drama, Aunt Sally is now a nothing character and not the same character at that, the children no longer have a father and the list goes on.

The worst thing is the lack of the crowman, here replaced by the green man but only used in 1 episode.

Look its watchable but if we are going to make comparisons to the originals then this is a failure and no comparison.

The only real positive is they have managed to keep technology like mobile phones pretty much out of it.

6 out of 10.

The wholesomeness of Mackenzie's writing is something to be cherished! Absolutely wonderful episode we've just watched together (with 8 year old daughter and wife). This simply has to be made into an ongoing series. This in the kind of TV I remember watching growing up - totally magical and absorbing.

No idea how anyone can watch this and give it a bad review - thankfully it looks like the majority of people get it!

Well done Mackenzie! Another excellently written piece.

I'm a massive Worzel Gummidge fan of the original John Pertwee TV series, I have them all on DVD plus a few books (from my childhood). So I was naturally intrigued as to what this remake, or re-imagining to be more accurate, would be like. I didn't go much on the first episode, Mackenzie Crook just wasn't doing it for me, but the two child actors were well done, as was Aunt Sally (pretty creepy) and Steve Pemberton is always great. Thankfully the second episode was better, story wise and content. Michael Palin as the Green Man (Crow Man in the original series), excellent. What I really did like was the beautiful camera work and the terrific folk music, truly magical. It certainly grew on me, hopefully we'll see more of Worzel and friends in the near furure.

No cups a'tea. No slices a'cake. Gutted. I even think the makeup in the original is better than in this reboot. Worzel use to make me laugh. I might be harsh but I felt cheated and wouldn't give it the time of day. Really disappointed because the casting seems good.

As I've been saying for weeks on social media Worzel Gummidge is in safe hands with Mackenzie Crook. Most people have dismissed it without even watching , an absolute triumph in story telling. Hopefully more to follow please

Mackenzie crook has taken a series I watched as a kid and brought it bang up to date without making it a platform to preach what bad people we are. There are messages there that are relevant but he does it with subtlety so you hear it and listen. All that aside it is beautiful to look at, funny and a good way to spend two hours of your life. This is what Christmas tv should be - original programmes that are good.

This is the best TV programme I have seen in ages. The whole production is top notch! The cast, the stories, the music, it all works together so well. For a brand new programme I am impressed and I find it better than the original series. Crook is far better than Pertwee, IMO. It's good to see TV is still capable of childhood magic without being stupid or patronising to the audience.

Loved this episode and I sincerely hope there will be more. Cleverly written and educational in places. I watched the original but this is more than a worthy continuation of the books. Full marks and credit to the beeb and Mackenzie Crook for bringing something fresh and original back to our screens. More please and ignore the fuddie duddies who can't move on from the original. Excellent

Great program for children and adults alike. The child actors are fantastic and Mackenzie Crook in the lead role is brilliant. If you've seen the detectorists you'll know how much Crook loves the countryside and some of the shots in this are lovely. It's funny and warm. The whole cast are brilliant.

Bring on a full series, it would be well received in this household.

Still prefer the original before the BBC went down the left wing route but for what it's worth it's a decent remake of a classic kids TV show from my childhood. Not a bad effort at all.

Loved the original, times have changed and it could never be made again. That said I really enjoyed this, aunt Sally's roll has changed so I can't see how this could be an on-going series. Nice and easy telly and I enjoyed it

Overall this is a wonderful series. It's biggest success is that it is so English and wears this proudly. It features so much scenery of beautiful English countryside, the stories are about English traditions and folklore (e.g. Bonfire night, village fetes, etc), and features English-style folk music. This is totally unique I can't think of any fictional programs like this celebrating English-specific heritage in this way. I am really grateful to Mackenzie Crook and crew for this and am really proud of this show because of this.

In terms of enjoyability, the characters are memorable, the actors are good, and the storylines original and engaging. Each storyline is somewhat educational in a way, I noticed this particularly so in the second series where there was a lot of talk about environmentalism and practical ways children and families can help to reduce waste etc to help nature and wildlife. Some may find it a little bit preachy in this regard but I think this is responsible and appropriate for a show made for children to be educational as well as entertaining. There is a danger of it trying to be woke but I think it has towed the line well and doesn't veer into that.

I am not a child nor watched it with children but the first few episodes I found genuinely entertaining and warm in a way that is just not found in TV for adults. And I enjoyed spending the time in the safe and vivid English countryside and atmosphere created by the show. The last couple of episodes that have aired this year (2021) however didn't quite keep me engaged in the same way. The quality was still the same but perhaps I am too old to enjoy it for a continuous amount of time. But for what it does and achieves I think it is brilliant.

Very disappointing and boring... instead of trying to badly recreate a timeless classic, they should have made a new series about a scarecrow to avoid ruining expectations. Not sure if I'll even watch the second installment... Very poor.

Yes, I'm old enough to remember the original tv series and no, I'm not making any comparison between the two. That would be unfair as both should be viewed on their own merits. What an amazing modern day take on Worzel Gummidge. Great acting, beautiful music score and brilliant story writing; especially with today's ecological themes threaded throughout! Well done!

Forget the original version and wallow in the excellent casting, leisurely pace and beautiful countryside. There are hints of The Detectorist's subtle humour and use of camerawork to bring the best out of the rural locations but by and large it is just gentle storytelling to please young and older viewers alike. A pleasant antidote to other TV programmes and a treasure unearthed this Christmas.