Compiled by Fabulous Films, Worzel Gummidge: The Complete Collection is a nine disc DVD set that includes the complete adventures of Barbara Euphan Todd ‘s scarecrow creation. In this set you get everything! Four seasons of the original series, the Christmas special – A Cup O’ Tea An’ A Slice O’ Cake, and both seasons of Worzel Gummidge Down Under. What more do you need?
In the first four seasons we meet Worzel Gummidge (Jon Pertwee), a walking, talking scarecrow that lives on Scatterbrook Farm, where he stands in Ten Acre field. He was made by The Crowman (Geoffrey Bayldon) and he is able to convince other people that he is human. Worzel has a collection of different heads for his different moods and he lives with his Aunt Sally (Una Stubbs), a giant doll , also able to pass as a real person. Worzel befriended children John (Jeremy Austin) and Susan Peters (Charlotte Coleman) who came to stay during the holidays on the Braithwaites farm. Worzel lands John and Susan in trouble when he is being mischievous, as he goes into a sulk and becomes a normal lifeless scarecrow. This lead others to blame the two children for all the trouble Worzel causes!
Then in the Christmas Special, A Cup O’ Tea An’ A Slice O’ Cake, which has now been fully restored from the original film negative! Worzel looks destined to spend a cold Christmas alone in Ten Acres field when The Crowman bans him from scarecrow celebrations because he deserts his post. However, Worzel does not stay put for long and as he searches in the snow for Aunt Sally to invite to the Scarecrow Ball, he meets his old friend Saucy Nancy (Barbara Windsor) travelling on a pirate ship to star in pantomime. He is challenged to a hilarious sulking contest by a belligerent Scottish scarecrow, Bogle McNeep (Billy Connolly) who, with his men, is heading back up north because he hates Christmas. Worzel eventually wins his reprieve from The Crowman and joins in the festive frivolity and fun of the Scarecrow Ball.
Finally we get the two seasons of Worzel Gummidge Down Under where Worzel and Aunt Sally continue their comic adventures in New Zealand. Aunt Sally ends up on display in an antiques shop in England. She is bought by a folk museum curator from New Zealand and she is sent down there to appear as an exhibit. Worzel pursues her as an aeroplane stowaway, where he has to avoid the clutches of the evil travelling scarecrowmaker!
Verdict: 7.5/10. Having the entire collection in one box is something fans have waited for such a long time, especially the restored A Cup O’ Tea An’ A Slice O’ Cake. It is just a shame the full treatment could not be given to all the episodes. On episodes alone this is a clear 9/10 but their quality drops the mark slightly. Perhaps a full restoration is being held off for a bluray set? Either way if you love Worzel this is a must buy – especially if you do not own any Wozel in your collection. It can be purchased HERE.
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