Señales (Import Dvd) [2002]

FIRSTLY, IT MUST BE SAID THAT: The mere fact that this DVD has to be imported from Germany, rather than being produced in England, where the story takes place, is a thorough disgrace and an indictment of the political correctness to which that country has fallen! One can only presume that the story, dealing with the pagan Gods of old Britain, is unpalatable to a country presumed to be Christian; and particularly so when the main action includes adolescents. Pagan survivals have been fiercely suppressed or adapted to fit the "new" religion since those first wretched monks arrived in Britain.But enough of my bias!The story is fascinating from the very beginning, with hints thrown out about the main personage, an animal: the Moon Stallion. That there is a mystery to come and something strange going on is clear from the beginning. The fact that the main human character, Diana, is blind --- but knows things,apparently without being told, deepens the senses of wonder and mystery which arise. The eventual struggle between Good and Evil as personified by Diana and the warlock Todman, is not banal. This is established by acting of an high order, making the two chacacters thoroughly believable.Another aspect is that this film will be enjoyed by anyone who, also, loves horses.Unlike so many adaptations of books, this film in three parts, sticks extremely closely to its original text. I may be influenced by the fact that I saw the film first and read the book after: many years later when I could find it.As a piece of art, like the book, this film is quite an achievement. It has mystery, suspense, the supernatural, and a very clever fusing of actual legends and places. Brian Hayles produced a very intelligent --- not to say very different --- book, and I am sure that he would have been quite content with this adaptation of it.It is a DVD which will give a great deal of pleasure to viewers --- my three children first saw it in the 1980's and eagerly awaited each episode; but one needs to have an interest in the subject matter to have "the icing on the cake".Again, to watch this in English, one needs to select that language as it is entitled in German ,,Der Mondschimmel".THIS DVD SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AND PRODUCED WITH ENGLISH AS A FIRST LANGUAGE OPTION.All I can add is my thanks to Bavarian television, who "got it right", and say "Deutschland über alles !"Louis des Préaux