THESE ARE SOLEY MY OWN OPINIONS AND NOT FRM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE
OFF THE RAILS
Adapted for Television by
Britt Allcroft, David Mitton & Robert Cardona
Originally Written by
The Rev.W.Awdry
Air Date:
19/11/84
Plot:
As Gordon was resting, he was given a special train which is unfortunate to him as it was trucks. As Gordon's fire was slow to start, Edward had to push him to the turntable to get ready with the train, but as he was about the jam the turntable he slithered into a ditch. That night Henry and James rescued him and Gordon crawled home all sad but wise.
PRO:
- Great camera work, especially the ending when Gordon is seen backing towards the sheds with the brakevan.
CON:
- The turntable stopped at the ditch.
- If James and Henry were pulling Gordon out of the ditch, where was Henry?
- Why did the Fat Controller's office move to Vicarstown?
I have no problems with this episode, those two were just little nitpicks. But the episode stuck close with the original story's text and the camera work was superb. But here are the reasons why there are the nitpicks. First off its the accident. The turntable just stopped at the exact spot where as in the Railway Series story, Gordon moved while the turntable moved and he slithered down into a ditch. When the Fat Controller heard the news, why has he moved office? That was also in the Railway Series book as well and with James rescuing Gordon, the narrator says 'And James and Henry pulling hard..', Henry was nowhere to be seen. I know the turntable could be small to fit both of them, but they could've say James or Henry pulling hard to bring him to safety.
The episode turned out great though despite the nitpicks.
Rating: 4/5
