hammondjh-00479

I recalled seeing this on tv when I was in hospital (on permanent bed rest!!) before my Son was born. It somehow made tv more interesting and definitely more musical. I've often wondered if a dvd of Ludwig is out there, because it would be just as entertaining for today's kids as it was with kids (and adults) of the 1970's. Who'd have thought a musicality inclined egg-shaped crystal existing among woodland wildlife could have hit the classical music spot with so many of all ages, cultures and tastes? By arranging Beethoven's music in a manner, making it a very enjoyable accompaniment to the cartoon and the characters, these arrangements open the classical music door to young children beautifully. The BBC hasn't shown anything as good since, which is a shame! Time for a CBBC repeat? PS: It also complies with all BBC politically correct rules and standards. Just saying.

I never review a film unless it's only fit for a sewer contribution or it's a truly outstanding example of acting, directing, production or all three plus more. In the case of Erin Brockovitch, it truly is the latter. It's well acted, produced and directed. The storyline is one of the finest Hollywood has taken and created into film with a professional time-served cast to carry it from beginning to end. What swearing there is has justification and fits well without it being out and loud in every other line. What's more, Erin's fight to pursue a career with running a family can be identified by many single parents everywhere. What isn't there to like about this film? American films I've seen since come nowhere near this! Riddled with sex, violence and swearing, implying every Police Officer is either corrupt or gun-happy or that every white person is a racist hyena, whilst all other races are victims doesn't make for quality films - Erin Brockovitch, although made in 2000, still shines as an example of what Hollywood can hit the world with, without pandering to violence and gunfire.

The moment it began to the last notes, a thoroughly enjoyable performance from all and the costumes defied authenticity itself! I cannot criticise this masterpiece at all; it wasn't overlong, it wasn't riven with CGi rubbish or foul language, the only 'violence' was the scene of the Japanese actors and the nearest think to sexual indecency you'll encounter is when Fanny Reynolds is about to leap into bed with Mr Sullivan himself. This is a family film rich in Victorian history, culture and language, beautiful in song and drama and the talents of well known and not so well known actors fulfilled to their artistic limits. Watch, enjoy and revel in its unequalled quality not even the masters of Hollywood could even dream of attempting without their invaluable CGi.