Evaluating the latest BBC Christmas animation
Broadcast on BBC One on Christmas Day right after the King’s Speech, this animated retelling of Julia Donaldson’s picture book occupies a prime spot in the festive schedule. For those seeking the connection of family viewing in an age of fractured attention spans, it’s a welcome addition, reports BritPanorama.
This marks the 13th Julia Donaldson animation for the BBC, following previous successes such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man, and last year’s rendition of Tabby McTat. Given Donaldson’s extensive back-catalogue, which includes 210 books, these festive adaptations could continue for many years. However, sustaining engagement presents challenges, particularly with the gentle pace of The Scarecrows’ Wedding.
Peg-legged, straw-stuffed Betty O’Barley (Jessie Buckley) and Harry O’Hay (Domhnall Gleeson) are introduced in a sunlit field, where they spend time together amid playful antics. The narrative picks up when Harry proposes, leading to Betty’s list of wedding essentials. Their quest to gather items, while charming, becomes complicated when pink flowers prove difficult to find, sending Harry on a quest to a distant field.
The unfolding action primarily begins when Harry goes missing, raising concerns that older children may lose interest while younger viewers may drift away. A notable aspect of the BBC’s adaptations is the limited text available, which does not suffice to fill the 25-minute slot allocated. While stunning animation and the leisurely pace have their merits, the deficiency in original dialogue results in prolonged moments of filler where the characters engage in sounds of contemplation.
The story accelerates when Harry’s absence leaves Betty in distress, introducing a villainous scarecrow, Reginald Rake (voiced by Rob Brydon), who attempts to win Betty’s affections. Brydon’s performance stands out, providing a delightful yet sinister edge to the character as Harry, described in contrast as somewhat hapless, navigates challenges to return to Betty.
The final minutes of the program offer an action-packed climax, as the scarecrows face genuine peril, culminating in Harry’s timely return that resolves the tension. Overall, the animation is rich in detail, with accomplished voice acting enhancing the visual elements.
While the annual tradition of these adaptations holds a certain charm, The Scarecrows’ Wedding raises questions about the scope for evolution within this festive programming. The insistence on revisiting Donaldson’s works might overshadow other equally deserving children’s authors whose stories could resonate more compellingly within this format.
Looking ahead, audiences may hope for future adaptations from authors such as Oliver Jeffers, Nadia Shireen, Michael Rosen, or Lauren Child. A picture book adaptation remains a valuable concept for Christmas Day programming, but for the tradition to continue to attract and engage viewers, embracing new content will be essential.
‘The Scarecrows’ Wedding’ is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
