Bagpuss returns to the big screen after more than 50 years

More than half a century after Bagpuss first appeared on television, Britain’s most beloved childhood icon is set to return in a new film. Originally a stop-motion creation from 1974, the “saggy old cloth cat” will reawaken in a live-action and animation feature due in cinemas in 2027.

The original thirteen episodes, created by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate in a barn in Blean, Kent, only lasted one series, but in that time Bagpuss enchanted a generation. Its nostalgic storytelling, about a cloth cat mending lost items alongside his toy companions, was paired with gentle folk music and imaginative whimsy. The programme was later voted Britain’s favourite children’s show, confirming its place in television history.

At the heart of the series was Emily, played by Firmin’s daughter, who ran a shop for lost property that focused on repair rather than resale. Each episode introduced a new object, brought back to life by Bagpuss and his friends, Madeleine the rag doll, Gabriel the toad and Professor Yaffle, the wooden bookend inspired by philosopher Bertrand Russell.

Songs played a central role in the show, many drawn from folk traditions, which gave it a lasting musical resonance. That link to heritage is still being celebrated today through organisations such as the English Folk Dance and Song Society, which works to preserve and promote traditional music across Britain.

The new film will shift the setting to present-day Britain, where Bagpuss and his companions awaken once more to continue their work repairing broken items. According to Birmingham-based Threewise Entertainment, which is developing the project, the story will be “a quest that blends heartfelt storytelling, comedy and music, while staying true to the spirit of the classic series.”

The families of both creators are involved in the reboot. Emily Firmin described the return of the character as deeply moving, saying Bagpuss “was a friend who taught me about kindness, care and imagination.” Daniel Postgate, Oliver’s son and a BAFTA-winning writer, had previously resisted attempts at a CGI revival, arguing that computer animation lacked the character’s warmth, but supported the new approach before his death earlier this year.

Bagpuss now joins a list of British children’s classics to make the leap to the big screen, from Postman Pat and Fireman Sam to Thomas the Tank Engine and Wallace & Gromit. The cultural significance of these programmes has long been recognised by institutions such as the British Film Institute, which continues to archive and champion the legacy of children’s television in the UK.

For more features exploring Britain’s cultural heritage and the return of much-loved icons, follow EyeOnLondon for thoughtful coverage that connects past and present.

[Image Credit | Kent Film Office]

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