Early 2000s?! This was an advert on Saturday mornings in late 80s early 90s! Lol. Brings back memories of a simpler time when all u had to worry about was stayin away from matches! 😂
@@sarah-jaynemcdonald2594 I agree; I'm guessing this was from the late-80s or early-90s. The art style here is very similar to the Poddington Peas, which actually aired roughly around the same time. I wonder if it was animated by the same person way back when.
I wrote and directed this film and the accompanying book while working for the COI. I undertook masses of research to asses its effectiveness with children before it was released. I visited many schools and read the story to the kids before asking them what it was about and what they had learned from. It was one of many public information films I wrote while at COI but Francis is the one I remember most fondly.
@@vaughananderson4527 The book you're referring to has a very similar name 'Frances Firefly' and I dont know when it was written. I wrote a produced 'Frances the Firefly' back in the mid 1980s
I love how grown up Frances was on the inside at the end of the story. Takes a grown firefly to admit her mistakes. I think the searing pain and having her wings burnt from her escapade that night that made her unable to fly again for a while was actually punishment enough.
Also, the narrator of this cartoon, is still a voice I much miss, even nearly 3 years on from his passing. His voice was such a joy, even on a such a subject as this.
I had no idea this had an animated version! I only ever read it in picture story form in a booklet that was given to us in school on fire safety training day
I know Richard Briars, he was the narrator of Rurbarb and Custard and in some Little Red Tractor stories, he was also the audio narrator in Percy the park keeper, in audio stories to be honest and I’d say he had a very good impression
And the voice over for this film is the late Mr. Richard Briars. (The star of TV's "The Good Life" TV series). Yes - it's me, Denise Rayner. I hear you saying "who?". Well, I used to work for the Central Office of Information and promoted all these life-saving films to the TV stations. I also used to work for Thames TV.
I remember watching this at school along with "Safe with SuperTed" and "Sky Hunter" along many others. I also had the book of this as well which I kept for years. Memories indeed. I remember at secondary school a lot of similar fire safety videos which were live-action and a lot more sinister (e.g. seeing children getting burnt etc). At least these videos left a lasting impression. There really does need to be more public information videos on TV nowadays.
+jack kemp Such good memories in a somewhat innocent way. We had to sit on the floor watching this and the others on a old Panasonic TV on a roller in the music room. I can also remember watching the 1970s cartoon Charlotte's Web during wet play too at the time.
I remember these when l was in primary school an If it was wet play we would sat in the dinner hole an watched them.. they were the day,s when school was school and kid,s were kid,s unlike today,s generation where kid,s on their mobile phone,s...
So many memories from when i first saw this on tv at 5am. Remember kids, never play with matches. (Trying to remember what the second one i saw was -- i remember the sea safety one)
Anchorman Charleston : BREAKING NEWS: Our top story tonight, there was a fire had ignited in the Kingdom of Insects. It was from two children; a young firefly named Frances, and a roach named Cocky Roach. We go to Leah Arachnid to tell you this tragic story of how it happened. Leah: Thank you Charlie, it was a massive devastation to the kingdom. Young Frances had a lit up match just so she can be like the other fireflies. It wasn't until she burned her wings and dropped the match close to the kingdom. The fire had spread wider, and everything was completely destroyed: homes, belongings, churches, even their workplaces were burned down to the ground. Sadly, nothing was left. Stoner grasshopper: I was at my friends house, playing FIFA and stuff, and then all of the sudden, WHOOSH, there was a fire outside, and then, KABOOM, I heard an e'splosion. Ah, it was so bad, bruh, my friend and I had to get out of here before we get cooked alive! Civilian ladybug : It was miserable! My kids were sleeping when the fire appeared. My husband had to quickly get our kids out of the kingdom before it gets worse. I'm so glad we were able to make it on time. Leah : Only 50 civilians were killed in the fire, but miraculously, 70 were severely injured. The two children were tried in court, and Frances was set free, but Cocky was sentenced to exile for eternity to the concrete jungle. This is Leah Arachnid from the Kingdom of Insects, CB 4 News. What do you guys think? Too much?
I know this is an important public awareness video but I can’t get over the fact the N on the beancan was the wrong way round. That’s what I’m taking from this!
Another later version of Frances the Firefly saw Charlie/Cocky Roach getting smoke alarms (it was the version on Directgov Kids, it didn’t go to print)
2:52 Am I the only one who thinks that part of the music sounds like when Mario loses a life in Donkey Kong when he gets hit by DK's Barrels? Poor Frances :(
Two of the insects seem to be really displeased with Frances for burning the whole kingdom and the king is really disappointed with her as well but she has learned her lesson so the king decides not to punish her.
I always used to see this at about 4 and 5 o' clock in the morning after a night spent watching 4Later on channel 4 and then Prisoner Cell Block H on channel 5. After a night spent watching weird cult TV my brain would be frazzled, then this would come on!
True, but unlike Norman Price from the CGI seasons of Fireman Sam, where he learns his mistakes but yet forgets about it every now and then, Cocky does get his comeuppance, which is him being sent away from the insect kingdom, and him being forced to live in the litter bins in towns and villages.
i remember watching this on beeb 2 every night i was awake through the night all night every night watching all that bbc learning shite that was all i had to watch. i may have gone mad but at least im intelligent ☺ 🖕🏻
I remember the short length version of this British safety cartoon. It teaches people especially kids not to play with matches or lighters because the fire is extremely dangerous as we know. I'm glad Frances has already learned her lesson. I am watching it from Ireland 🇮🇪
![Roller Coaster Rabbit - Roger Rabbit Short [HD]](/img/1.gif)
remeber watching this at primary school loads back in the early 2000s
Early 2000s?! This was an advert on Saturday mornings in late 80s early 90s! Lol. Brings back memories of a simpler time when all u had to worry about was stayin away from matches! 😂
@@sarah-jaynemcdonald2594 I agree; I'm guessing this was from the late-80s or early-90s. The art style here is very similar to the Poddington Peas, which actually aired roughly around the same time. I wonder if it was animated by the same person way back when.
Shown on BBC schools channel in Novemeber 1999.
I remember seeing it in primary school in the early 1990s. We even got a storybook version of it. I wonder if it is still shown now.
I wrote and directed this film and the accompanying book while working for the COI. I undertook masses of research to asses its effectiveness with children before it was released. I visited many schools and read the story to the kids before asking them what it was about and what they had learned from. It was one of many public information films I wrote while at COI but Francis is the one I remember most fondly.
Wasn't it written by Erica Jane waters?
@@vaughananderson4527 No....I wrote it whilst working in the Film and TV department of the COI.
@@vaughananderson4527 The book you're referring to has a very similar name 'Frances Firefly' and I dont know when it was written. I wrote a produced 'Frances the Firefly' back in the mid 1980s
@@MrBoybergs I know it doesn't mean much but this short is a very fond memory from school so thank you for making it happen.
@@theskyfoogle1511 Thankyou so much. Very kind of you to write that.
I remember burning the whole town down when I was a boy. They decided not to punish me too.
Richard Briers is narrating the story.
I love how grown up Frances was on the inside at the end of the story. Takes a grown firefly to admit her mistakes. I think the searing pain and having her wings burnt from her escapade that night that made her unable to fly again for a while was actually punishment enough.
I love how the King gently puts his hand on her head. It shows he is both stern (in a good way) and forgiving. 💙 Virginia
THIS STORY IS THE REASON WHY I WAS SCARED OF MATCHES FOR UP TO 19 YEARS
Ok a bit exaggerated
Also, the narrator of this cartoon, is still a voice I much miss, even nearly 3 years on from his passing. His voice was such a joy, even on a such a subject as this.
who is it?
Richard Briers (1934-2013)
SuperTed19021 He ironically died of emphysema.
SuperTed19021 He was a chain-smoker @ a time when everyone fashionable would light up!!
Richard Briers.
I remember watching this at school when I was little! I’m glad to find it here.
I had no idea this had an animated version! I only ever read it in picture story form in a booklet that was given to us in school on fire safety training day
That moment you destroy an entire city and then just get a slap on the wrist and a don't do it again
Yes thomas hay But that’s make believe but in real life would get busted for arson and face criminal charges
@@devoniehague7198 It wasn't like Frances meant to destroy anything.
N k Francis she could have gotten herself and her fellow insects are killed by that fire
@@devonbeyond8081 Maybe she could have. But still it wasn't a deliberate attempt to set fire.
By the way how did Francis and the other insects survive that fire?
I know Richard Briars, he was the narrator of Rurbarb and Custard and in some Little Red Tractor stories, he was also the audio narrator in Percy the park keeper, in audio stories to be honest and I’d say he had a very good impression
And the voice over for this film is the late Mr. Richard Briars. (The star of TV's "The Good Life" TV series). Yes - it's me, Denise Rayner. I hear you saying "who?". Well, I used to work for the Central Office of Information and promoted all these life-saving films to the TV stations. I also used to work for Thames TV.
Rather ironic that the cause of his death was attributed to smoking (and of course matches may be used to light tobacco)
I can recall watching this on good old VHS at infant school.
Something about the music towards the very end unnerved me.
I WATCHED THIS WHEN I WAS LIKE 3. IM NOW 15 A D RANDOMLY THOUGHT OF IT AND FOUND IT AND OMG
MEMORIES
Same here
R.I.P Richard Briers
I remember watching this at school along with "Safe with SuperTed" and "Sky Hunter" along many others. I also had the book of this as well which I kept for years. Memories indeed. I remember at secondary school a lot of similar fire safety videos which were live-action and a lot more sinister (e.g. seeing children getting burnt etc). At least these videos left a lasting impression. There really does need to be more public information videos on TV nowadays.
so do I XD
+jack kemp Such good memories in a somewhat innocent way. We had to sit on the floor watching this and the others on a old Panasonic TV on a roller in the music room. I can also remember watching the 1970s cartoon Charlotte's Web during wet play too at the time.
well we watched it in 2005/6 on a cold hard floor we used for lunch yuck and cold XD
Oh man, I remember Sky Hunter. My old primary school classroom even had an old PC game based off the show. We watched Geordie Racer as well.
I remember these when l was in primary school an If it was wet play we would sat in the dinner hole an watched them.. they were the day,s when school was school and kid,s were kid,s unlike today,s generation where kid,s on their mobile phone,s...
I have a very vivid memory of being read the book in nursery and from then on being terrified of fire. It did what it was supposed to be I guess 😂
Oh same! I was in Year 2 when they gave it to us!
this scared the shit out of me as a kid
So many memories from when i first saw this on tv at 5am. Remember kids, never play with matches. (Trying to remember what the second one i saw was -- i remember the sea safety one)
Gem H Strongly relate with this.
It used to be on at 4 or 5 in the morning on channel 4 if I remember right ??
@@emilygriffiths1705 BBC schools in 1999.
And that's why I don't play with Fire 🔥😎🔥
I remember this video being shown to me after i set my house on fire i was 3
Anchorman Charleston : BREAKING NEWS: Our top story tonight, there was a fire had ignited in the Kingdom of Insects. It was from two children; a young firefly named Frances, and a roach named Cocky Roach. We go to Leah Arachnid to tell you this tragic story of how it happened.
Leah: Thank you Charlie, it was a massive devastation to the kingdom. Young Frances had a lit up match just so she can be like the other fireflies. It wasn't until she burned her wings and dropped the match close to the kingdom. The fire had spread wider, and everything was completely destroyed: homes, belongings, churches, even their workplaces were burned down to the ground. Sadly, nothing was left.
Stoner grasshopper: I was at my friends house, playing FIFA and stuff, and then all of the sudden, WHOOSH, there was a fire outside, and then, KABOOM, I heard an e'splosion. Ah, it was so bad, bruh, my friend and I had to get out of here before we get cooked alive!
Civilian ladybug : It was miserable! My kids were sleeping when the fire appeared. My husband had to quickly get our kids out of the kingdom before it gets worse. I'm so glad we were able to make it on time.
Leah : Only 50 civilians were killed in the fire, but miraculously, 70 were severely injured. The two children were tried in court, and Frances was set free, but Cocky was sentenced to exile for eternity to the concrete jungle. This is Leah Arachnid from the Kingdom of Insects, CB 4 News.
What do you guys think? Too much?
Pretty fantastic comment well done
I'm pretty sure the Brits play FIFA instead of Madden. But still, very well written.
NIce one there.
I fixed it. I changed the type of game they are playing and corrected one of my spelling. ANYWAY, thank you guys so much for the likes.
A-ha! Moral of the story, REMEMBER,NEVER PLAY WITH MATCHES!
The narrator is Richard Briers.
this fucked me up when i was a kid
Lesson learns.
Shocking story.
I remember my teacher reading this back in primary school and having the book.
I know this is an important public awareness video but I can’t get over the fact the N on the beancan was the wrong way round. That’s what I’m taking from this!
Fire Kills. You can prevent it.
Anyone else notice that the accompanying book, since 2009, has renamed Cocky Roach into "Charlie the Cockroach"?
Another later version of Frances the Firefly saw Charlie/Cocky Roach getting smoke alarms (it was the version on Directgov Kids, it didn’t go to print)
@@stephaniespragg5586 1999 shown on TV.
No I did not.
No I didn't.
go Francis firefly
fun lessons will save these little kids for the best
So many memories!
1999 this was shown in.
Safety tips.
Shown on BBC schools channel in 1999.
2:52
Am I the only one who thinks that part of the music sounds like when Mario loses a life in Donkey Kong when he gets hit by DK's Barrels? Poor Frances :(
I thought the moral was to discriminate roaches, especially if they're poor looking.
Two of the insects seem to be really displeased with Frances for burning the whole kingdom and the king is really disappointed with her as well but she has learned her lesson so the king decides not to punish her.
Remember watching this in primary school in the late 90s
I have been past Sawbridgeworth Fire Station a lot of times.
Dangerous matches are.
Saturday 16th July 2022. This is a great video to warn children about the dangers of matches. 💙 Virginia Clark.?! ;) ;( :) 😀🌠🌈🌍
I remember this
I nearly burnt my house down when I was 5, my mum called the fireplace for help and they came and showed me this on video
I always used to see this at about 4 and 5 o' clock in the morning after a night spent watching 4Later on channel 4 and then Prisoner Cell Block H on channel 5.
After a night spent watching weird cult TV my brain would be frazzled, then this would come on!
Lesson Learned: Don’t play with matches.
They showed me this book in school in 1997
I got this on VHS from my school in the early 2000's
Lucky guy.
Before there was Norman Price (series 6-12), there was Cocky Roach...
True, but unlike Norman Price from the CGI seasons of Fireman Sam, where he learns his mistakes but yet forgets about it every now and then, Cocky does get his comeuppance, which is him being sent away from the insect kingdom, and him being forced to live in the litter bins in towns and villages.
@@EliRamaOnRUclips33 Exactly!
i remember watching this on beeb 2 every night i was awake through the night all night every night watching all that bbc learning shite that was all i had to watch. i may have gone mad but at least im intelligent ☺ 🖕🏻
It is a bit like Mickey Mouse & the grand wise sorcerer Yen Sid.
Nice way to teach……….
I watched this in nursery😳
Fireman Sam. The Great Fire of Pontypandy.
TV show.
I thought this was just a fever dream😳 scared me not to play with fire tho
Cocky roach was naughty!.
Safe with Sam. Fireman Sam.
I totally forgot about this oh the memories!
I remember the short length version of this British safety cartoon. It teaches people especially kids not to play with matches or lighters because the fire is extremely dangerous as we know.
I'm glad Frances has already learned her lesson.
I am watching it from Ireland 🇮🇪
"watch his plan take shape" was his plan for Francis to burn alive??
Either that or try to get her arrested for arson.
Is it just me or does that advert give anyone else the creeps.....
Fire is very dangerous!.
I remember this from primary school! Cocky Roach is still the man!
meee ive been trynah find it all morning hahaha are you around 25??
Fireman Sam. The Great Fire of Pontypandy. TV Movie.
Kids never play with matches!
999. Which Service do you require? Fire Service please.
I watched this at school along time ago
lol yep i used to see it after prisoner too!
Wow haven't seen this in almost years lol
like good
CUTE
Great Plauge & Fires of London, 1665 and 1666. King Charles the 2nd. Samuel Pepys the Diarist.
... and we never did... lol
London Pudding Lane Bakery.
Learn from your mistakes.
1:55 islaneoand
Screw you story book! I'm gonna go play with matches right now!!
Yossel Rozzy Roz
RIP
Yossel Rozzy Roz
19XX - 2015
He played with matches
what an idiot
i dont like it