6 / 10
score

Introduction
Short programme, short review. This 26-minute animated film is charming, but unremarkable in itself but for two things:

One – it is based on a children's book written by HRH the Prince Of Wales, and

Two – he makes a personal appearance in the live-action bookends when a bunch of kids storm his study at Balmoral.

Made by S4C (Channel 4 Wales) in association with BBC Scotland, BBC Wales and ABC Television (US) back in 1993, it's nicely animated in a style reminiscent of Cosgrove-Hall by the Dave Edwards Studio, a Cardiff animation house. Robbie Coltrane supplies the voice of the Old Man of Lochnagar, and Hannah Gordon and Chris Barrie are included in the voice talents. The style of the animation is based on the original illustrations of HRH's 1980 book The Old Man of Lochnagar by Sir Hugh Casson.

The tale, adapted for the screen by Jocelyn Stevenson, is an allegory for environmental concerns that stands as well now as it did when the programme was made (and was, according to the box blurb, the first UK-produced animation special to be screened on US network television.)

The influence of the Blessed Spike of course runs through the piece, although HRH falls back on a traditional moralist tale to tell where his Goon mentor would probably have told something a little more subversive.

Sales of the DVD will benefit the Prince of Wales's Charities Foundation.

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Video
Nice, clean source print with good colours and contrast. The programme is presented in its original 4:3 aspect ratio.

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Audio
Dolby 2.0. as it was made.

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Features
Sadly nothing. Not even subtitles.

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Conclusion
Charming and delightful in itself, this animated rendition of HRH the Prince of Wales's The Old Man of Lochnagar isn't really a patch on the old-fashioned charm of the BBC Jackanory version. That was just Prince Charles, the Scottish Highlands and a delightfully whimsical tale of old men with hairy knees. The royalties of the disc will go to the Prince of Wales's Charities Foundation, but if you're thinking of buying this to keep the little 'uns quiet I'd give serious thought to buying the original book and try reading that to them instead.