The wolves are running in high definition this year! 

For readers of a certain age, the BBC’s six-part dramatization of The Box of Delights firmly imprinted on their childhood. With haunting opening credits and lots of (then) cutting edge effects, the show aired in the run up to Christmas 1984.

Adapted from John Masefield’s 1935 novel, The Box of Delights introduces us to Kay Harker, a young schoolboy who encounters a mysterious Punch and Judy man on the train and is drawn into a fantastical adventure.

The series stars Devin Stanfield as Kay, with Patrick Troughton on sparkling form as playing Cole Hawlins. Also, Robert Stephens is the villainous Abner Brown, with Patricia Quinn also in the cast. It’s an absolute joy to revisit, and many do so on the Saturdays in the run up to Christmas each year. Back in 2014, we joined in and reviewed the series week by week.

The Box of Delights has been available on DVD since 2004, and on VHS before that, however the picture quality isn’t great. Now, it’s getting a well-deserved high definition polish in time for its 40th Anniversary.

The Box of Delights Blu-ray will also boast the following new special features:

●  Time And Tide – Making The Box of Delights

●  Trails & Continuity

Plus, a 2004 Kay Harker & Director Interview and the Blue Peter, Take Two & Pebble Mill Clips from the DVD release.

The new documentary, Time and Tide, comes from director Chris Chapman who has been responsible for many highlights of the Doctor Who – The Collection range.

On X, he says: “We’ve made an epic new 90+minute documentary all about it, featuring 25 of the cast and crew – and it has been very much a labour of love!”

The Box Of Delights Blu-ray is available to pre order now and released on 25th November, 2024.