The Borrowers (1992 TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Borrowers |
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| Written by | Richard Carpenter Mary Norton (novel) |
| Directed by | John Henderson |
| Starring | Ian Holm Penelope Wilton Rebecca Callard |
| Music by | Howard Goodall |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Cinematography | Clive Tickner |
| Editor(s) | David Yardner |
| Running time | 164 min. |
| Production company(s) | BBC Two |
| Distributor | Turner Home Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original release | 8 November 1992 (UK) 27 November 1993 (US) |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | The Return of the Borrowers |
The Borrowers is a popular TV show made by the BBC in 1992. It was first shown in the UK on BBC Two and later in the USA on TNT. This series is based on two famous books by Mary Norton: The Borrowers (1952) and The Borrowers Afield (1955). The show features actors like Ian Holm, Penelope Wilton, and Rebecca Callard. It was directed by John Henderson. This TV series was even named one of the "100 Greatest British Television Programmes" by the BFI.
Most episodes of The Borrowers ended with a cliffhanger, which means the story stopped at an exciting moment, making viewers want to watch the next episode. A second TV series, The Return of the Borrowers, followed in 1993. Both shows tell the story of the Clock family, who are tiny people. They have to leave their home under the floorboards of a big old house and find a new place to live in the English countryside.
Contents
The Story of the Borrowers
The Clock family are special tiny people called "Borrowers." They live secretly in the homes of regular-sized humans, whom they call "human beans." Borrowers get everything they need by "borrowing" small items from the humans, making sure no one ever sees them. The main characters are a teenage Borrower girl named Arrietty and her parents, Pod and Homily.
Arrietty's Friendship with George
One day, Arrietty goes on a borrowing trip with her father. Even though Borrowers are supposed to stay hidden, Arrietty meets a human boy named George, who lives in the house. They become friends, which is very unusual for a Borrower.
Leaving Their Home
The tiny Clock family lives under the kitchen floorboards of a large old house. This house, Chawton House in Hampshire, was used for filming the show. Eventually, the humans living in the house discover the Borrowers. Because their secret is out, the Clock family must quickly leave their home and escape into the English countryside.
New Friends and New Homes
After leaving the big house, the family finds a temporary home inside an old boot. There, they meet another young Borrower named Dreadful Spiller. Spiller helps them find a more permanent place to live. He reunites them with other Borrower relatives who had also run away from the same manor. These relatives had found a new home in the caretaker's cabin on the manor's grounds.
Meet the Cast
Here are some of the main actors and the characters they played in The Borrowers:
- Ian Holm as Pod Clock
- Penelope Wilton as Homily Clock
- Rebecca Callard as Arrietty Clock
- Paul Cross as George
- Daniel Newman as "Dreadful Spiller"
- Siân Phillips as Mrs. Driver
- David Ryall as Crampfurl
- Tony Haygarth as Mildeye
- Stanley Lebor as Uncle Hendreary Harpsichord
- Pamela Cundell as Aunt Lupy Harpsichord
- Victoria Donovan as Eggletina Harpsichord
Awards and Recognition
The Borrowers TV series received several awards and nominations for its excellent production.
BAFTA Awards
The show was recognized by the BAFTA Awards, which are very important awards for TV and film in the UK.
- In 1993, it was nominated for "Best Children's Programme (Fiction)."
- In 1993, it won the award for "Best Design."
Royal Television Society Awards
The series also won an award from the Royal Television Society:
- In 1992, it won "Best Production Design."
The Borrowers at the BFI's Screenonline
