

Season 2 • Episode 6
LatestFinal episode in the adaptation of Mary Norton 's classic books. Imprisoned in an attic the Borrowers must escape. They have five days before the Platters are to put them on public display. Arrietty persuades Pod and Homily to build a balloon.
The Borrowers are small, 15cm high humans who live in the English hinterland. They live out their lives in mouse-hole sized nooks in human homes, and survive by 'borrowing' all they need from the house and its inhabitants. This series follows young girl Arriety, and her parents Pod and Homily, as they are displaced from their home and try to find a new home, with the help of a human boy, George.
Production
Giant props and forced perspective before CGI ruined everything.
Acting
Ian Holm's weary dignity in a role made of patience.
Costume
Hand-stitched doll clothes with more character than most blockbusters.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This BBC adaptation predates the 1997 Hollywood version by five years and arguably has more soul.
Mary Norton's 1952 novel was written during postwar rationing — 'borrowing' had darker undertones for contemporary readers.