The Secret of Eel Island
Elysia Lukoszevieze
Screen Time: 90%
Role: Sapphire
From Age: 8 to 9 years old
Luke Ward-Wilkinson
Role: Scott
From Age: 11 to 12 years old
Holly Wolfers
Role: Amanda
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0879689
When Scott moves to a new house opposite the mysterious Eel Island, he cannot wait to explore. Once home to the secretive Eel Catchers, the island is now apparently deserted, although rumours abound of the ghost of a little girl who guards its shores. But Scott discovers the last inhabitant of Eel Island is no ghost when he comes face to face with eight year old Sapphire, a fiercely free spirit, quite unlike anyone he has ever met.Together, in a world hidden from adults, they will share many adventures as they fight to protect the Secret of Eel Island.
I came across this quirky little series when watching Channel Five with my neices. I was instantly struck by its charm.
The story centres upon the friendship between a young boy called Scott and a little girl, Sapphire, who has survived alone on the mysterious Eel Island ever since the rest of her family of Eel Catchers were "cleared off". I don't think any more back story is ever given, but it really doesn't matter - what follows is a series of adventures, each only about 12 minutes long, where the two friends have to protect Sapphire's secret island from all sorts of threats. Thankfully there's no magic or talking animals or anything like that. But there is plenty of room to suspend your disbelief - adults rarely appear, excepting Scott's grandfatherly friend who owns a handy junk shop, and the kids just get on with it untroubled by modern technology or everyday worries.
The series is beautifully made, with good acting from the principle children and a beautiful look and overall feel. Apparently it was filmed on the Norfolk Broads and the result is magical - a world away from reams of animation and American imports kids seem to be fed now.
And it's not just my nostalgia talking - my nieces absolutely love it, especially all those animals.
~ Jon Doy of Amazon.co.uk
TV Ep
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