This episode has been required viewing every Christmas at our house. Just as lines from Fawlty Towers tend to crop up in everyday conversation, so do lines from this. It is a hilarious heart-warmer, with an excellent ensemble performance. (Our old VHS recording lost its beginning and its end over the years (and the sound was pretty poor), so we are really glad to discover the full version here.) Those of you who enjoyed Lois Griffin’s attempts to keep things Christmassy before going berserk might like Mrs Brown’s fist-shaking “It’s Christmas!”. Other lovely quotables include “... and now this.” and “Not a word to your mother.”. Looking forward to this year’s viewing.
Im pretty sure there were some repeats, but I think maybe one or two in 1996. But , like you said, no more unfortunately. I really loved these on original transmission. I was similar to William’s age when they were shown in 1994-5. I seem to remember he appeared on CBBC around this time with some ‘invention’ he’d created called the ‘Carrot’ or something. Bizarre what you remember!
British people think this is a curious comment as Dennis the Menace is a well known British comic figure - although I am aware that an American Dennis the Menace was created around the same time. William Brown is indeed more like the American Dennis the Menace than the British Dennis the Menace of Beano fame.
I totally agree about Adrian Dannatt. He looked just like the original Henry Thomas illustrations and had the character down to a -tee. But one point- the 1976 series suffered because of poor production values and the outside shots being filmed in the dead of Winter. Here, Christmas is clearly filmed in high Summer!
None of the real humour emerges. William just comes across as annoying with none of his thinking explained. It's as though we are the adults simply on the receiving end of William's words and actions which is the very opposite of the books. Anyone wanting to get a real flavour of William should listen to Martin Jarvis's audiobook narration and Kenneth Williams. Television or film adaptations struggle as one needs to be inside William's head to successfully convey the humour of the stories.
The 1994 William is exactly what I picture William Brown to look like when I read the books. This kid is delightful.
Love Williamfrom my childhood.
.. Nearing 80 now. Mr and Mrs Brown are exactly as I pictured them! Wow!
Love Oliver Rokison as William Perfect. Wish I could get the whole series ❤
Oliver Rokison makes a great William, exactly as I pictured him in the books!
I agree. And Ethel gets to wear some fabulous clothes too.
The best William yet !!!!
This episode has been required viewing every Christmas at our house. Just as lines from Fawlty Towers tend to crop up in everyday conversation, so do lines from this. It is a hilarious heart-warmer, with an excellent ensemble performance. (Our old VHS recording lost its beginning and its end over the years (and the sound was pretty poor), so we are really glad to discover the full version here.) Those of you who enjoyed Lois Griffin’s attempts to keep things Christmassy before going berserk might like Mrs Brown’s fist-shaking “It’s Christmas!”. Other lovely quotables include “... and now this.” and “Not a word to your mother.”. Looking forward to this year’s viewing.
Mr Brown is great, when William opens that present you can hear him thinking "oh shit"
Classic comedy. I like the clothes of the day too.
Thanks for uploading, such a shame that the BBC have never released eight of the episodes (including this), nor repeated them.
Im pretty sure there were some repeats, but I think maybe one or two in 1996. But , like you said, no more unfortunately. I really loved these on original transmission. I was similar to William’s age when they were shown in 1994-5.
I seem to remember he appeared on CBBC around this time with some ‘invention’ he’d created called the ‘Carrot’ or something. Bizarre what you remember!
That was genuinely charming. Thank you for posting. You’ve improved my day
Wish I lived in these times
William was such a fabulous character….
William's a nice boy really
Great
Superb
William's mum is cool :)
28:32- serves you both right!
this is the british "Dennis the Menace" the little chap really needs a boarding school
British people think this is a curious comment as Dennis the Menace is a well known British comic figure - although I am aware that an American Dennis the Menace was created around the same time. William Brown is indeed more like the American Dennis the Menace than the British Dennis the Menace of Beano fame.
I like Muriel too :)
The Brown family apart from William seem too old. Robert in the books is 17. Probably makes Mrs Brown about 37-40. She looks more like 55
The '70s series pissed all over this colourless adaptation - there's only one William and that's Adrian Dannatt!
Totally agree. And Stacy Dorning as Ethel was gorgeous!
I totally agree about Adrian Dannatt. He looked just like the original Henry Thomas illustrations and had the character down to a -tee. But one point- the 1976 series suffered because of poor production values and the outside shots being filmed in the dead of Winter. Here, Christmas is clearly filmed in high Summer!
1976 series are 10 times better
None of the real humour emerges. William just comes across as annoying with none of his thinking explained. It's as though we are the adults simply on the receiving end of William's words and actions which is the very opposite of the books. Anyone wanting to get a real flavour of William should listen to Martin Jarvis's audiobook narration and Kenneth Williams. Television or film adaptations struggle as one needs to be inside William's head to successfully convey the humour of the stories.