The beloved children’s franchise, Thomas & Friends, is celebrating its 80th anniversary by releasing its original pilot episode, “Down The Mine,” on Friday, May 9. As you’ll see, this admittedly long-lost test episode was shot more than four decades ago. It’s narrated by Sir Ringo and includes a very special rearrangement of the theme tune by composer Mike O’Donnell. The original source was 35mm film. It provides a nostalgic look back at the formative adventures of everyone’s favorite anthropomorphized armored locomotive.
It was Thomas’ first appearance on British television with ITV. He then went on to star on major networks like Cartoon Network and Nick Jr. The franchise eventually migrated to Channel 5, and today, it lives on streaming on Netflix. As any train lover knows, Thomas made his first appearance in a book first published in 1945. That was the book’s intention—and it was the thing that helped launch a public television series that ran from 1984-2021.
The original pilot’s release marks an opportunity to honor the franchise’s long, bold legacy. It’s designed to meet the passions of its loyal legacy fans while appealing to an entirely new audience. Ian McCue, who played a role in reviving the footage, stated, “I had to piece it together with great love and care.” He discussed his affection for the pilot, emphasizing its “beautiful charm and innocence.” It’s this intimate quality that really pulls audiences in.
The pilot is a testament to the series’ nascent development, McCue admitted, it serves as a window into some of those early hurdles. “You can see that there’s teething problems that they would have had had they not done that,” he explained. He recognized the intelligence behind making sure everything was ship shape when they debuted season one.
More than a series just about building and protecting wholesome communities, as the franchise continues to expand it doesn’t forget its roots. McCue encouraged grant recipients to maintain the core values of friendship, collaboration, and communication as the focus of their work. “We always remember the themes and just make sure they’re fun, wholesome adventures,” he added.
Already the nostalgic rush begins with the first track released, “Down The Mine”. It invites the next generation to experience it for themselves. The franchise is hoping to get by on nostalgia while infusing its venerable blockbuster formula with some contemporary know-how.
“As we celebrate this momentous year, we’re unveiling 40-year-old footage and newly uncovered stories from the vault for the first time ever, offering longtime fans and new audiences the chance to reconnect with the beloved adventures of Thomas & Friends in new and nostalgic ways.” – Representative of Thomas & Friends franchise
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