ToM’s MiDnighT garDen

released OUT NOW! 1989 | U | dVd

Director Christine secombe Cast Jeremy rampling, Caroline Waldron, Isabelle amyes, shaughan seymour

It’s hard to comprehend, but even as recently as the ’80s, a BBC children’s series could move as slowly as a Southern train during a rail strike, and audiences would be enraptured.

Tom’s Midnight Garden is a prime example: characters wander up and down staircases, have conversations that leave you yawning, and take forever to figure out obvious plot points. But 21st century cynicism aside, perhaps that’s what makes this so pleasant: it’s like watching paint dry, but what relaxing paint it is.

Based on Philippa Pearce’s classic ’50s-set novel, it follows a boy who goes to stay with his aunt and uncle in a flat without a garden, only to discover that whenever the grandfather clock downstairs strikes 13, a garden magically appears. And so off he goes exploring in his jim-jams. Tom – a rather whiny, yet still likeable Jeremy Rampling – meets a Victorian girl, Hatty, and, well... they don’t have adventures, as such, but it’s sweet watching them hang out.

This six-episode series (the last of three BBC adaptations!) has its flaws: Tom’s mum can’t act, Hatty’s rather brittle, and the final twist will be obvious to any modern kid. But if you’re after childhood nostalgia, by gum, this is perfect.

Extras A new interview with director Christine Secombe. Jayne Nelson