The Magical Charm of BAGPUSS

I review the classic British stop motion animation series "Bagpuss"!

[josepharmstrong]

Making the most of what little one has is certainly something to be admired. I think the biggest strength of what you've shown is the character designs. They each do a great job at showing what each character is like, such as the title character exhibiting a soft gentle personality with his round shape and soft eyes, and his more colorful coat indicates that there's something more than just being a cat that will snuggle up on a person's lap for comfort. The bird is also stiff and has wide open eyes to indicate a strict personality, but because he's a book supporter, we can tell he means no harm.

[wiibrockster]

There's something unsettling yet relaxing about old stop motion

[LeoandLamb]

Such a lovely video essay, Jam! I was so young when I watched this show that I had very little recollection of it outside of the visuals. This was a fun way to explore it again. 💕

And fun fact for those who don't know, Bagpuss was intended to be orange and yellow, but something went wrong and he turned out pink and cream. So they just ran with it.

[thecinematicmind]

A timeless masterpiece of British Television.

[MJN_SEIFER]

I loved watching this when I was a kid, and still have some good memories of it - of course, I do go back to it and rewatch at times (my most recent only being a few years ago), and I recognised some of the clips too.

This was a great review, and nicely thought out. I didn't think about how well the diverse personalities of the characters work with each other, but it's clear from watching it that they did. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it does get "passed down" like you said, since kids of it's target audience tend to (I assume from talking about myself) tend to be the most likely to get into things not caring what decade it's from (I don't think I ever did, but when they're that young I'd assume they wouldn't be in the "but it's old!" phase yet.) I mean, I didn't even realize it was from the 70s back then - it was on TV and I watched it, so it was a "now" thing as far as I knew back then.

[danielperez]

I wish I could've seen this show growing up, seems like i would've loved it.

[HarryThomasPictures]

Bagpuss is one of my Mum’s fav childhood show!

[RatBruno]

I had never heard of this show but after seeing your review and the clips you show, I might check it out. I love the charm it has and the way the Stop-Motion animation really plays with the limitations. I'm also surprised it hasn't got a reboot, since most UK children's cartoons from the 70s-80s, particularly Stop-Motion ones, have been getting reboots the past years.

[margogoralski]

I've never seen this show before, but it looks great. Nice video and thanks for introducing me to it! :)

[jacobc.]

British children's television is easily the best on the block. Whether it is from the likes of Gerry Anderson, Cosgrove Hall, Clearwater Features, TVC London, Smallfilms; the amount of hits to come out of the UK is astounding.

[e-psi]

Your point about Bagpuss as a character (as well as the accompanying clip) sticks out well for me. It's intriguing how they made Bagpuss the one who grants life to the other toys, yet he is the most chilled and passive of the group and even a bit simple at times, letting others like Yaffle and Madeleine call the shots and even order him about a little (though Bagpuss has his own wisdom and past adventures to tell too, that old cloth cat is quite an enigma). They make clear in some episodes and books he doesn't quite have 100% control over his magic either, it's based on whatever impulse or thought comes to his mind at the time, others often need to tell him what to focus it on. 

It's like the guy uses his magic, perhaps instinctively, to create his own 'family', each member having expertise or energy in a field he doesn't to make sure he can succeed in fulfilling Emily's wishes. It's a complete antithesis of a Sorcerer's Apprentice plot, where the magic bestowed on the enchanted objects is unregimented and grants them their own unique sentience and love (and thus some a level head to manage the plan themselves) and yet leads to an orderly successful attempt at achieving a job.

[StrangeCreatureOfUnknownOrigin]

I used to love this show!

Big kick in the nostalgic nuts

[mariajimenafigueroa]

My God, those animals are well animated!

[PlayCONtent]

genuinely adore bagpuss- it's vinyl soundtrack was way more than the show itself and...i have never regretted a purchase less

[BazTheStoryteller]

This show is very pre-Toy Story. Also, Madeline looks like Raggedy Ann.

[jamescoppock]

Oliver and Peter also created Ivor the Engine and The Clangers. What do you think of the Clangers remake starring Michael Palin? Also, Oliver’s son Daniel says he wants to make a live action Ivor movie. Do you think that could work?

[ToonReel]

Side note: I take amusement that Bagpuss always wakes up right next to a toy E2 class tank engine. Maybe that old cloth cat has more magic than we can imagine. XD

[JamesPropmaker]

Nice video on a classic.. I'm currently building Duck from Rosie and Jim... Also being doing a few stop motion pupptet over ony channel.

[ToonReel]

I admit I wouldn't mind if they revived it and bulked it up past 13 stinking episodes, like they had with Postman Pat and The Clangers, though I agree with the Postgate family that quality control would have to be in play. They already pulled the plug on a quick CGI revival.

[xnavarroisback]

Bro, is that the Cheshire Cat’s twin brother?