Malory Towers

I thought this was excellent, and a really good example of how to adapt a much-loved but dated original. Almost everything that happened in the book is preserved, and the Blytonian spirit of optimism is definitely there. But the writers have made some changes that actually improve on the original: focusing on the complicated relationship between impulsive tomboy Darrell and icy drama queen Gwen, working in hints of danger and darkness, and making the moral hinge on forgiveness and second chances.

Given that Enid Blyton was a slightly "problematic" author even at the time, it's a real achievement to make that source material work in 2020.

It is a slow burner - it takes a few episodes to get the hang of who's who and what's going on beneath the surface. But I recommend it for anyone willing to invest their time in the world that's been created, and hope they will get to make a second series.

Hello, I first read the entire series of Malory Towers in 1957. I was 7 years old. I was born and raised in a poverty stricken Salford, Near Manchester - times were hard, yet my mother spent money we couldn't really afford to buy me these second hand books. You might think that I read these books and felt envious of the characters - they did, after all, have so much more than I - but no. I was intrigued, captivated and laugh-out-loud entertained by their antics. I've always been a prodigious reader - but some themes', some ideas stay with you a lifetime - in this case it's the 'rose tinted glasses' ideal of an England where the Summers last forever... where friendships never fade and justice is served. The acting was... as has been noted... occasionally poor - but not exceptionally so - and the editing could have been far better. To summarise - this show holds true to the very essence of the books - and I believe that Enid Blyton would have been extremely happy with this outcome.

Loved the book growing up and this is such a well done adaptation. Really hoping they adapt the rest of the books!

I never read the books, or any of Enid Bouton's books, so I was able to watch Malory Towers without comparing it.

Most of the characters annoyed me. Alicia, Jean, Bill, and Sally were my least favourite. My favourite ended up being... Gwen. I know, she's supposed to be the girl everyone hates because she's selfish and spoiled, but she was the only one who wasn't a goody-two-shoes. Well, she was, but in her own way. She reminded me of how I felt about Ethel Hallow in the Worst Witch. Ethel wants to be the best and is constantly one-upped by Mildred. Gwen isn't clever like Ethel, in fact she's lazy and shallow, but what she wants more than anything is for her family to accept her. And unlike Ethel, she seems to learn from her mistakes and is definitely growing into a slightly better person.

I also really liked Miss Johnson, who was simply a horrendous person- or should I say, I liked the actor. I could listen to her voice all day. Plus, I hated the Bill and her precious horse storyline (probably because I was in the horse-obsessed girls group for a year at school and it was the worst year of my life and brought back a lot of repressed trauma), so I was secretly pleased every time Bill got reprimanded by Miss Johnson about seeing her stupid horse.

In terms of other characters, I adored Mary-Lou, Miss Grayling, and Ron. I also liked Gwen's parents. As other reviewers have said, it's very PC. I'm sure there were POC students and possibly teachers in England in the late 40s, but it seemed like they were trying to be too diverse. The editing was also a bit jarring, but oh gosh, those shots of the Cornish countryside and water were simply stunning.

Malory Towers feels nostalgic to me somehow, and as I watch it I feel a sort of toffee-and-caramel-cream cloud that I can't explain enveloping me. It's worth a watch, at least once.

Delightful! Enjoyable entertainment for the whole family. Characters are charming and fun. Well written. Enjoyable!