"Five Fall into Adventure"

Tweenid · Post by **Tweenid** » 13 May 2008, 12:06

I have just watched this story,on an original 70s series VHS copy bought from eBay,for the first time.It's one of several missing from my collection,soon to expand thanks to two more cheap eBay wins in the last few days.
Does anyone else agree that the portrayal of Markoff is very sinister indeed?I nearly choked on my kettle chips and salsa dip as I watched it!He was SO scary!
I really enjoyed this story,though Anne's role was rather sidelined,bless her.Julian and Dick seemed to get the meatiest portion of the script.I thought Gary Russell was particularly good in this one.
The incidental music too was a notch above the usual standard-lots of tense moments well complemented by the score.

Julie2owlsdene · Post by **Julie2owlsdene** » 13 May 2008, 12:44

Yes Tweenid, he was quite sinister. Although I do love watching this TV series, some of the villians are not really portrayed as Enid wrote them. Both Markoff and Red Tower were tall and that is something they were definately not in this episode. But they are easy to watch and not at all unpleasant.

Lucky Star · Post by **Lucky Star** » 13 May 2008, 18:14

I found the portrayal of Markoff to be utterly ludicrous. The worst casting decision ever. How on earth was he found to be "scary". All of the main cast (The Five) seemed taller than him and looked as if they could have knocked him down with one punch. Added to that he spent the whole time clomping around in a pair of boots that seemed to be about six sizes too big for him!

The only scary thing about him was his all black outfit and his gun. I thought he looked like some kind of Nazi pygmy. On the other hand Red Tower was genuinely scary but Markoff? Not for me anyway.

Post by **Anita Bensoussane** » 13 May 2008, 21:26

Tweenid wrote:I have just watched this story,on an original 70s series VHS copy bought from eBay,for the first time...Does anyone else agree that the portrayal of Markoff is very sinister indeed?I nearly choked on my kettle chips and salsa dip as I watched it!He was SO scary!

Yes, I feel the same way. A very creepy Markhoff, like a fiendish dwarf! (Sorry, Lucky Star!)

Tweenid wrote:The incidental music too was a notch above the usual standard-lots of tense moments well complemented by the score.

I've always loved the incidental music in the 1970s Famous Five series - it's all part of the experience!

Anita

Tweenid · Post by **Tweenid** » 13 May 2008, 22:23

Lucky Star wrote: I thought he looked like some kind of Nazi pygmy.

That is partly what I found sinister about him.

I suppose I was watching it through a child's eyes-something I am pleased to still be able to do.

Petermax · Post by **Petermax** » 13 May 2008, 23:38

That theatrical fight between Dick and Jo the Gypsy still amuses me. The punches were wide off the mark but very heavily overdubbed, it was painful just to listen, let alone watch. There are scenes filmed for the Southern TV Famous Five series that would never be allowed today.

As for the casting of Markoff, such a choice was guaranteed to send younger viewers hiding behind the sofa.

George@Kirrin · Post by **George@Kirrin** » 15 May 2008, 21:11

Get out of the boat and come to me.... Slowly...

Just watch Markoffs eyebrows when he says that line - always makes me giggle

Yan · Post by **Yan** » 24 Jun 2008, 12:00

Petermax wrote:That theatrical fight between Dick and Jo the Gypsy still amuses me. The punches were wide off the mark but very heavily overdubbed, it was painful just to listen, let alone watch. There are scenes filmed for the Southern TV Famous Five series that would never be allowed today.

And that were not allowed in German TV at that time.

In the German version of this episode some scenes were cut, for example the very short scene with George, tied up, lying in the caravan. Or the moment when Markoff (chasing Jo who he thinks is George) suddenly gets his gun and shouts 'Stop or I'll shoot you'.

The 'ZDF' (co-producer of the series) obviously feared that these scenes could be too frightening for children.

On the other hand, the fight between Dick and Jo was left in.

Anyway, in my view this episode is the most gloomy one.

Gary Russell · Post by **Gary Russell** » 24 Jun 2008, 14:18

How bizarre - I really must watch these again! My memory is that Julie (Jo) actually made contact with me when we fought. I probabaly flailed my arms around uselessly like a girlie, but I seem to recall she made contact with the side of my head.

And Markoff? George Moon wasn't it? He was great. And the guy playing Red Towers (was he very Welsh?) used to be in Z Cars.

Julie2owlsdene · Post by **Julie2owlsdene** » 29 Jun 2008, 18:51

Gary Russell wrote: And Markoff? George Moon wasn't it? He was great. And the guy playing Red Towers (was he very Welsh?) used to be in Z Cars.

I used to love Z Cars, but don't remember seeing him in that series.

Moonraker · Post by **Moonraker** » 30 Jun 2008, 13:13

Cool avatar, Gary!

Gary Russell · Post by **Gary Russell** » 30 Jun 2008, 22:23

Moonraker wrote:Cool avatar, Gary!

My son. Apparently...

Viking Star · Post by **Viking Star** » 30 Jun 2008, 22:38

Gary Russell wrote:
Moonraker wrote:Cool avatar, Gary!
My son. Apparently...

You really missed something when you were unable to make this year's EB day. The reaction to the new FF cartoon series.....agghh!

Ming · Post by **Ming** » 30 Jun 2008, 22:42

Is that what the new TV series are like? Gosh....

I thought the avatar was something Gary randomly picked up online, from a comic website!!

Petermax · Post by **Petermax** » 30 Jun 2008, 23:15

I too like Gary's avatar, I believe that it may be from the new Famous Five cartoon series.

With regard to the earlier discussion about the fight scene between Dick and Jo in Five Fall Into Adventure, here is the the clip. Those of a delicate disposition please look away.

Fight Scene
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"Five Fall into Adventure"

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