I adore the Just William stories, they are so funny and charming and one of my favourite childhood memories is listening to Martin Jarvis narrating the stories on the cassette tapes, he reads them so perfectly. This series is absolutely wonderful, but it is such a shame that there may not be more as this series deserves more and the fact it was scheduled at midday when not many will be watching. Thank goodness though I recorded it, and a lot of people who I showed Just William to loved it as well.
The story lines of the show are just as witty and as charming as the ones in the books, I loved the part when William mangles Shakespeare, and sticks to the spirit of the stories. And the writing is excellent, I have run out of times of how much I laughed at the dialogue, and the situations are even better. The pace I have no problem with either, and the direction is adroit. Then there is the period detail, when it comes to the photography, scenery, costumes and location work Just William is visually very beautiful. The music is quirky and nostalgic too.
I loved the acting. Daniel Roche captures the essence and character of mischievous yet endearing William Brown perfectly, while Lily James and Henry Melling are charming as his parents and Warren Clarke and Caroline Quentin are great contrasts as the Botts. Isabella Blake-Thomas also perfectly captures her character of Violet Elizabeth. Oh, and for other fans of the cassette tapes, Martin Jarvis is narrator and he is of course magnificent.
All in all, a wonderful series that I wish lasted longer and shown at a different time to when it was, it was a real treat and better than some of what aired after the watershed during the festive season(save a few exceptions such as Eric and Ernie) and what have you. 10/10 Bethany Cox
