Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6684 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-07-18
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Animated, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 78 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Magic Roundabout is another in a long list of 1960’s and 1970’s television shows updated and adapted for the big screen. The original show has since become a cult favourite due to its hallucinatory double-entendres, and the powers that be realised that the fans of the television series now had children of their own. Therefore, the film version of The Magic Roundabout attempts to strike a balance between appealing to both children and their parents. To that end, they’ve recruited a whole host of celebrities to provide voices: Robbie Williams as Dougal the dog, Kylie Minogue as Florence, Tom Baker as the evil Zeebad and Ian McKellen as Zebedee, amongst others. The story involves Dougal accidentally releasing Zeebad from prison, then joining up with his friends to save the day--ideal good-versus-bad kid’s entertainment. The DVD release has two different versions. The single disc version includes character profiles, a quiz and a look at the UK premiere of the film. The two-disc version, meanwhile, also has behind the scenes documentaries and, best of all, some classic black & white episodes of the original series--the perfect piece of nostalgia to entertain the parents. --Ted Kord

Synopsis
The world is placed in mortal danger when Dougal accidentally releases Zeebad from prison. Together with Ermintrude, Brian and Dylan, Dougal sets off on a quest to discover three magic diamonds, and thus prevent the evil Zeebad from encasing the world in ice...

Customer Reviews

A little bit disappointing
I rented this for my daughters aged 2 1/2 & 5 years old. I wouldn't say it was so much a disappointment for them - they both sat attentively from start to finish. However, I like to get them DVD's that we can all enjoy together and this didn't hold my attention at all. It had a weak storyline and the voices just didn't seem to match up with the characters. I have no memory of the Magic Roundabout many years before so it wasn't even that it didn't live up to my expectations.
It's not one that my girls wanted to hang on to and watch over again but OK for something to watch just the once.

My son loves it
I'm a little conflicted about this film: it is currently my four-year old son's favourite film and he is watching it pretty much on a loop so I have watched it (or at least parts of it) many times.

The film bears little resemblance to the original TV program, in fact it is really an action adventure/quest movie that just happens to use the Magic Roundabout characters. The plot is simple: there is an accident, caused by Dougal's love of sugar, which releases Zeebad (Zebedee's evil twin) who wants to turn the world to ice. Dougal, Ermintrude, Brian and Dylan embark to a quest to recover 3 diamonds that are needed to stop him.

People, like me, who grew up with the original TV series will have some problems with this film as it lacks the magic that made the TV series so special. However, the CGI animation is slick and very well done and the voice cast approach the whole thing with great gusto. Tom Baker has great fun as Zeebad, Joanna Lumley and Jim Broadbent are very good as Ermintrude and Brian but as usual Bill Nighy as the hippy rabbit Dylan steals the show (he finally get worked up when he realises if the world is turned to ice there will be no grass).

Not really for adults, and certainly not for hardcore fans of the original TV show but my son loves it (hence the decent rating).

great entertainment
How has everyone missed this film, visually probably the best cgi childrens film to date with a superb twist on the original series.
My children aged 3 and 8 sat glued to the film and my wife and i could not stop laughing, jammed packed full of great adult humour rivalling Shrek, Monsters inc and Toy Story.
If you dont like this film i think you will have probably missed the point.Only use the original series as a reference and no more to get the most enjoyment.
Do not miss this film and watch for all the gags i promise you its worth it.