Tractor Tom - Baa Baa Tom Sheep And Other Stories [2003]

Amazon.co.uk Review

Yet another entry into the already crowded field of children's videos, Tractor Tom combines some classic themes with modern twists and production values. The tale of a tractor and his friends and adventures has its roots in the likes of Thomas the Tank Engine, but this show has a decidedly cutting-edge feel, especially with its computer-generated animation.

The choice of Liza Tarbuck and James Nesbitt as the voices of Farmer Fi and farmhand Matt may sound a little odd to a grown-up audience, but they approach their task with such gusto that smaller viewers will not help but get caught up in it all. The stories are simple and easy to follow and will bear the inevitable repeated viewing. Old hands may prefer the more traditional style of animation but it can't be denied that Tractor Tom has a bright, attractive look to it and younger children will find much to keep them amused even if they do not understand the plots. As seems to be standard these days, the programme comes with an accompanying range of merchandise; but it is an enjoyable, engaging series and should keep the small ones entertained. --Phil Udell

Customer Reviews:

What Can I say.......2007-07-23

Our three year old loves it......... My wife and I hate it, yet we can live with Bob the Builder, Little Red Tractor et al....

Tractor Tom is always helpful and the one to solve the problems. It appears to be a twist on the Little Red Tractor stories in that the farm etc appears to have American farm buildings and large pickup truck and motorbike (who joins the team) yet the programmes have the voices of Lisa Tarbuck and James Nesbitt which is probably just adults being adults and looking for the errors!

It is all computer animated and lacks the feel of any depth of model that Bob the Builder or Little Red Tractor have.

We do not like putting our son in front of a DVD and getting on with our jobs but Tractor Tom is the exception.

Customer Reviews:

Collecting Peter Hammond and charmingly side tracked.......2007-11-11

I bought this collection because I have been charmed by Peter Hammond for 50 years. Lost him somewhere along the way but rediscovered him when I bought the DVD set of "The Buccaneers."

So I got to work on collecting anything I could that he'd done - with a special eye to his Directing (which is very visual with great care for light and color). But I stumbled over The Huggetts and these 4 films are as charming as it can get without being treacle.

Although I am an American, I can identify with many aspects of these films. I was born in 1947 and raised in a working-class neighborhood in a family that counted weekly Grange meetings, clog dancing and Fiddling among their High Spots.

I vividly remember my girlfriend's family getting their first phone. I can also remember, vaguely, something disturbingly like a Holiday Camp. I have actually done or have seen many of the things that transpire in these films.

Tightly filmed, they flow well, tempered with a "common" humor and traditional values that anyone can relate to.

Peter Hammond is charming on the eyes, putting me in mind of a young Jimmy Stewart in looks and style. And he comes with a good sense of comic timing, never going over the top. His exchanges with the Petula Clark character are endearing - he always seems willing to go along with her dream.

a taste of Britain's finest hours.......2007-08-07

With many of the Ealing classics already released I've been waiting in anticipation for Gainsborough's Huggetts films to get the DVD treatment - and a fine job has been made of them too; many thanks to the team responsible. Nicely packaged 4 DVD's offset-stacked in a gatefold inside a slip case with a very informative 12 page booklet written by British comedy scholar Robert Ross. It's easy to take for granted just how good these films are; the direction and editing are transparent, the camera's always in the right place and the quick-fire dialogue is so expertly delivered you feel no sense of rehearsal at all; the timing is always spot on and you become aware you're watching players who have learned their craft and are showing you a tradition that has it's roots in music hall where genuine talent flourished.
As a 60's child these films portray a time unknown to me but a comfortable familiarity stems from my fond memories of watching old British films with my dad and that is the link for people of my generation to a Britain that has sadly gone. If a comment is made that these films are dated I would suggest that this is the appeal and is what makes these documents of another time so special.
Even with just a casual interest in old British films you won't be disappointed with this purchase.

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