The Colour Of Magic

Rincewind (David Jason) is an incompetent wizard, who knows well enough when to run away. He's guiding a rich and naïve tourist called Twoflower (Sean Astin) around Ankh-Morpork, a city on Discworld. They get into all manner of scrapes and adventures, meeting up with Cohen the Barbarian (David Bradley) and cheating Death (voiced by Christopher Lee).

The Colour Of Magic is an adaptation of the first two of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. Despite being 'only' a TV adaptation, its high production values give the fantasy setting free rein, and makes for a thoroughly enjoyable romp. Anything with Jeremy Irons and Tim Curry hamming it up is all right by me. They, and all the other fantastic comic actors, do a brilliant job of making it as funny as Pratchett's novels.

Although David Jason isn't quite the right person to play the Rincewind of the novels, he still brings plenty to the role. The most obsessive fans might tut, but the casting never detracts from the overall enjoyment. There's enough fun and magic to simply go along for the ride - and what a ride! The Colour Of Magic is perfect family viewing for a lazy weekend.

As with all book adaptations, some elements have had to be omitted, but it doesn't feel lacking. There's plenty of depth, with lots of the Discworld concepts included. These are never hammered home, but are still easy enough to pick up for people new to the fantasy world. The pace zips along from first to last, without any slow points.

Highly recommended.