THE PHOENIX AND THE CARPET marks the final instalment of the Helen Cresswell-scripted E. Nesbit trilogy that began with FIVE CHILDREN AND IT some six years previously. This particular tale was regularly adapted for the screen; the last version I saw was from the '70s and all but interchangeable with this, although they excised the Psammead from the story. In any case, this is almost on par with FIVE CHILDREN and RETURN OF THE PSAMMEAD, although I did wonder why the returning characters still hadn't learnt their lessons when it came to magical wishes going wrong.
This is a six-part miniseries with a different adventure in each episode. The kids are typically likeable, and with the voice of David Suchet, the Phoenix himself is a real character, although the lovable Psammead is the real scene-stealer here. There's a good mix of old-fashioned animatronic work and new-fangled computer effects to make the story zing, and supporting actors like Miriam Margoyles and Lesley Dunlop give it a cosy feel.
This is a six-part miniseries with a different adventure in each episode. The kids are typically likeable, and with the voice of David Suchet, the Phoenix himself is a real character, although the lovable Psammead is the real scene-stealer here. There's a good mix of old-fashioned animatronic work and new-fangled computer effects to make the story zing, and supporting actors like Miriam Margoyles and Lesley Dunlop give it a cosy feel.
