THE OPINIONS AND RAMBLINGS IN THIS BLOG POST ARE SOLELY MINE AND DON'T REFLECT THOSE OF ANYBODY ELSE
Today, I'm reviewing what's considered by many to be one of the best RWS books ever. That is.....
25. Duke the Lost Engine.
Published: 15 October 1970.
Written by: Reverend Wilbert Awdry.
Illustrated by: Peter and Gunvor Edwards.
Sir Handel and Peter Sam explained that they knew a Duke. Which Duke were they referring to? Let's read!
Foreword:
Dear Friends,An engine lost in the South American jungle was found after 30 years. A tree had grown through its chimney and hornets nested in its firebox. When mended it gave good service for 30 more years.
"The Duke" was lost too; not in the jungle, but in his own shed which a landslide had buried. Not long ago he was dug out and mended. His own railway had been pulled up, so he is now at the Thin Controller's.
The Author
79. Granpuff.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: US: 16 April 1995. UK: 16 October 1995. AUS: 22 April 1996.
Duke, Falcon, and Stuart are three engines who live on the Mid Sodor Railway. Duke is wise, but Falcon and Stuart are young and cheeky and often make fun of "Granpuff", as Duke is affectionately known, until Duke tells them the story of Stanley, who was rough and was punished by being turned into a pumping engine. The three have many adventures together, until their line closes. Falcon and Stuart are purchased and in due course wind up on the Skarloey Railway, but Duke isn't wanted and is sheltered in the Arlesdale shed. Duke, unaware that the current Duke does not know of his existence, goes to sleep...
First of all, why were the standard gauge engines shoehorned at the beginning and end of this story, and why was Thomas the Tank Engine narrating it? Second, Smudger is just Rheneas with green paint. Britt said it's too expensive to build a model of RWS Stanley. I say rubbish! Britt was a millionaire by the time Season 4 was made. If she could build that many models in Season 4 and 5, surely she had enough to build a RWS Stanley model. Third, this story should NOT have been adapted first and I will get to why later. Lastly, they didn't mention that his grace was killed. Why? Death happens all around us! There's no sugarcoating it! But then again, it's a good watch, this adaptation.
RWS rating: 9.5/10.
TV rating: 8/10.
81. Bulldog
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 18 October 1995. AUS: 24 April 1996. US: 11 November 1996.
In the old days of the Mid Sodor Railway, when Sir Handel was blue and named Falcon, the Manager arranged for him to double-head with Duke to learn the mountain road. Falcon ignored Duke's warnings and derailed, hanging dangerously over the edge. Duke held back, and gathered enough strength to pull Falcon back. Falcon was grateful, but Duke was modest and said he only did what he did because he didn't want Falcon's paint spoilt if he rolled down the mountain.
This episode should have been broadcast directly after Granpuff. Again, why was Thomas the Tank Engine narrating this story too? It should have been Sir Handel narrating, not Thomas. Even though the story was a lot better, the accident was fantastically filmed.
RWS rating: 9.5/10.
TV rating: 8.5/10.
82. You Can't Win
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 19 October 1995. AUS: 25 April 1996. US: 4 November 1996.
Duke is old and Stuart jokes he may have to be kept in order. Duke merely laughs, but later his valves begin leaking and Falcon and Stuart come to the rescue. The cavalcade split up at Marthwaite, as Falcon takes Duke's passengers to cath their boat at Arlesburgh, while Stuart takes Falcon's train with Duke coupled in front. Duke and his driver, hearing Stuart's triumphant chortles, make a plan, and on the last hill Duke gives a great effort. At Arlesdale, a boy inquires as to why there were two engines, to which his father replies Stuart needed assistance and so Duke came to help.
Out of all the adaptations, this is the most faithful. At least Thomas the Tank Engine wasn't narrating this story, but why was he at the station at the end? But this story does teach kids not to talk bad about their elders, because they may have a trick or two up their sleeves.
RWS rating: 9.5/10.
TV rating: 9/10.
80. Sleeping Beauty.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: US: 16 April 1995. UK: 17 October 1995. AUS: 23 April 1996.
The Small Controller, the Thin Clergyman and the Fat Clergyman hear the story of Duke and go looking for him. After a long search the Fat Clergyman stumbles and falls onto Duke's boiler. Duke is apprehensive, but cheers up when he finds the Duke is coming. Duke, to his dismay, is sent to Arlesburgh by lorry, but is happier to discover he is still popular, and Donald carries him to the Skarloey Railway on a lowloader. Sir Handel and Peter Sam find him beside the shed, and tease him by saying they can now keep him in order. Duke plays along and falls asleep happily in the sunshine.
This is certainly the loosest of the 4 adaptations. The standard gauge engines were shoehorned at the beginning and end, the Arlesdale Railway and its engines were cut, the Fat and Thin Clergymen were cut, and Fat Controller was in charge of the Skarloey Railway, and Thomas the Tank Engine was narrating the whole story. Plus, Duke was taken by a lorry, then to Skarloey and Rheneas instead of Donald taking him. What poor structure. Why are these stories in the wrong order? The stories in this book should have been adapted last, not first! What a shame too, since the original was spectacular!
RWS rating: 10/10.
TV rating: 6/10.
Final thoughts:
Throughout this review, it seems like I had been bashing this book, but that's not the case. This book was fantastic. The adaptations didn't completely follow the stories and were adapted far too early. If I were to turn back the clock to 1994, I would tell Britt not to adapt these stories first, or at least not mention the names, Sir Handel or Peter Sam before their official introductions. Why did they do all of this? It's just going to confuse little kids! And speaking of confusing, that is very hypocritical of a vain businesswoman who said The Missing Coach would be too confusing for little kids. Now that the Thin Clergyman and the Arlesdale trio have been rendered in CGi, let's hope a follow up to The Adventure Begins is a readaptation of this book, and hopefully Andrew can get right what Britt didn't between 1994 and 1995. If that won't suit his grace, what will?
Rating: 9.8/10.
RWS Scorecard:
25. Duke the Lost Engine: 9.8/10.
40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.
RWS rating so far: 7.8/10.
Season 4 scorecard:
1. Granpuff: 8/10.
2. Sleeping Beauty: 6/10.
3. Bulldog: 8.5/10.
4. You Can't Win: 9/10.
Season 4 rating so far: 7.5/10.
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