Tags
1990s, animated, book series, British, Colin Dann, European Broadcasting Union, Fox, French, Lady Blue, nature reserve, Ranger, Scarface, The Animals of Farthing Wood, Toad, TV, White Deer Park
The Animals of Farthing Wood (European Broadcasting Union, 1992)
The Animals of Farthing Wood is a British-French animated series commissioned by the European Broadcasting Union between 1992 and 1995, and is based on the series of books written by English author Colin Dann. It was produced by Martin Gates Productions (MGP) in association with Telemagination, based in London, and La Fabrique, based in Montpellier in France, but also aired in other European countries. The first countries to air the series were Norway, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Italy and the United Kingdom, in January 1993.
The television series followed the basic plots of the series of books, although certain elements were changed. The first series followed the animals of Farthing Wood, who were forced to flee their homes after humans started destroying the wood to build suburban tract houses. Led by Fox, and guided by Toad, the animals left Farthing Wood on a journey to White Deer Park, a nature reserve where they would be protected. The second and third series followed the relationships between the Farthing Wood animals, the White Deer Park animals and outsiders, particularly a blue fox named Scarface, his mate Lady Blue and cub Ranger. The episodes were made in both the UK and France. Because of this, in series 1 traffic is seen driving on the right hand carriageway of the motorway. However, they are briefly seen in series 3 driving on the left hand side. Other than this, the location is generally kept ambiguous, apart from a brief moment in series 2 when a gravestone is visible with French writing on it.