"More fantastic than fantastic!"

"More fantastic than fantastic!"

If you're going to do an article on 'Children Of The Stones', where better to record it than Wiltshire? For this wonderful serial from early 1977 wastes no time in showcasing the beautiful countryside of Avebury with its opening title sequence, backed by Sidney Sager's hauntingly spooky music.

Nick provided us with lots of thoughful insights into why this show has stuck in the memory of those who were lucky to see it on original transmission. As I admit in the piece, it unaccountably evaded me at the time and I only came to it on VHS round about 1990 ish.

But that first viewing was enough to prove that I'd missed something very special. HTV have an enviable track record in producing weird but well-done fantasy for the younger audience, and the long hot summer of 1976 saw them making possibly the jewel in their crown in 'Children'.

With a highly intelligent script that refuses to talk down to the kids, it creates an atmosphere of unease that never seems forced or over the top. Gareth Thomas, a year before 'Blake's 7', is spot on with his portrayal of Adam Brake and with similar class in the form of Freddie Jones and Iain Cuthbertson (plus a light sprinkling of John Woodnutt) you know you're onto a winner.

In fact, all the cast deserve high praise. Peter Denim as Matthew is totally believable and his school colleagues are equally authentic. And that's the reason for the success of this. Although we're dealing with some esoteric subject matter, writers Jeremy Burnham and Trevor Ray never lay the oddness on too thick. The production refuses to push into the dangerous waters of self-parody and is all the better for it.

You get the feeling that the writers have done their research and that they know their Neolithic archaeology as well as their astronomy. The details are right, only the names have been changed (Avebury becoming Milbury) to protect the less-than-innocent.

Peter Graham Scott, here producing and directing, weaves a little bit of West Country magic in these seven episodes and it's essential viewing for anyone with an interest in imaginative television.

Happy day!

(By Andrew Trowbridge)