|
 And
who better to give us the countdown than the legend that is Gennaro Olivieri.
Giving vent to his linguistic skills (this bit was actually filmed in Bonn,
Germany in 1979) and with a loud rasp from his whistle, we are whisked away to
the spectacle of imagination that is - It's A Knockout / Jeux Sans
Frontières.
Immediately, we are given a selection of games from our
domestic series - mainly from the 1982 output. However, a flavour of these
shows can be well appreciated by a viewer new to the experience. Speaking as
an old hand, I was a little disappointed that there weren't more clips from
home soil, but I suppose this video is aimed at the near-fight wandering the
video stockist's shelves and not the purist like me. Still what was there was
good - such as the 'The Diving Board - Life Raft' game from Chippenham and
'The Wallflower' game from Christchurch.
It's fair to say that most viewers will recall the
internationals more readily. As Stuart Hall once said, "our domestics pale
into insignificance when compared to Jeux Sans Frontières. How can
Scunthorpe in Spring compare to Sardinia in Summer or the Algarve in Autumn.
Theatre and pantomime under the arc lights". So, onward we go to sample the
delights from across Europe beginning with a bizarre Fil Rouge from Germany.
It concerns guests at a party with the contents of a table with lives of their
own. It also brings Eddie Waring to the microphone for the first time and I
can testify that Knockout fans abroad who have received other copies of
this video, have been left somewhat confused, bewildered and yet delighted at
the encounter with this amazing North Country man.
Between clips from the games are segments recorded by Stuart
Hall to shed some light and a little explanation for what you will see. His
praise for the game designers is welcome. I agree too - you have to admire the
skill, knowledge and humour of Stuart Furber, Willi Steinberg, Poppi Pirani et
al.
When you watch great games such as the Russian dolls at Bad
Mergentheim, the pirate race at Southport or the band taking to the water in
Riccione, laughter and hilarity is supplemented by sheer admiration at how
these games were thought up and brought to life.
 "But
why Here Come The Belgians?", I here you ask. Well, on occasions teams
wearing the big B of Belgium found the going tough and evidence of such is
provided. However, one must remember that the Belgians had the last laugh when
Rochefort won the 1982 Final. Stuart, of course, reminds us of the occasional
pan-European tensions that existed. But these jingoistic tendencies were lost
amid the joy and laughter. That proves for me that we all have differences and
speak with many and varied tongues but laughter is a universal language and
perhaps that is why Jeux Sans Frontières worked continually year on
year.
The video, which lasts approximately one hour, features many
fondly remembered clips, such as the launch of the show and the superb set
from Sherborne. The bucking bronco game from Northampton and the ostriches at
Montecatini Terme, plus games long since forgotten - cowboys taking the plunge
in Den Boer and the exploding mouse game from Italy.
 Two
clips round things off. First we go to Gronigen to watch competitors try to
leap with the aid of a pole over a water filled ditch. It was even better
given that the day before the show, Stuart Hall had a side bet with NCRV
presenter Dick Passchier and they both had a go at the game with varying
levels of success. This featured commentary from Barend Barendse.
Last but not least, we go to Aix-Les-Bains in 1974 to watch the
penguins game that has become part of television legend and is a fine way to
bring our journey to a close.
As Stuart says, "if you want to enjoy it all again - then just
rewind".
For me it was great fun to watch, however one last little
gripe. I would have liked to have had some reference made to the great
Knockout luminaries - Eddie Waring, Arthur Ellis, Gennaro Olivieri and
Guido Pancaldi. Still again - I'm a big fan and this video is for everyone I
guess. What has brought me great pleasure is sending this video to my friends
who are also Knockout fans around the world and getting their reactions
and watching the video with my young niece who views it with the same magic in
her eyes as I had at her age. That's why It's A Knockout / Jeux Sans
Frontières was and is special.
by Mike Peters |
