Did we like it?

It would be a much poorer world if BBC1 didn’t indulge us with these Sunday afternoon family dramas every now and again. They’re not quite aimed at our demographic but this three-piece adaptation from Terry Pratchett’s novel seemed to be pretty faultless to us.

What was good about it?

• The adult cast, especially Zoe Wanamaker as old tramp Tacky Nora who romans the streets with her supermarket trolley with its squeaky wheel.

• Frank Finlay, Keith Barron and John Henshaw were also memorable

• The young cast, especially George MacKay, who is quite posh in real life, carrying off a convincing northern accent as lead character Johnny Maxwell. Jazmine Franks as tomboy Kirsty, Lucien Laviscount as Yo-less, Kyle Herbert as Wobbler and Scott Kay as the chavvy Bigmac also did convincing jobs.

• The recreation of the Pennine town of Blackbury in the midst of World War Two and the special effects were carried off superbly.

• The intelligent reflection of Britain’s racist past when a shopkeeper called black kid Yo-less Sambo – and the kids mocked her

What was bad about it?

• Along with Dr Who, Life On Mars and Come Dancing, maybe BBC1 is indulging in a little too much time travel these days.