SOAPBOX DERBY is another fine Children's Film Foundation adventure, clocking in at an hour and shot in Battersea. Anybody who has fond memories of old-fashioned childhoods involving fights, chases, races, go-karts and outdoor fun will be in their element with this one, which provides crisp black-and-white photography and an enthusiastic cast of youngsters headed by a pre-stardom Michael Crawford, showing elements of the agility and greatness that would see him go on to worldwide stardom. What's most impressive is just how much plot is crammed into the hour running time; there's no slow moments here, just moments of high peril, drama, action, comedy, some shocking plot twists and general childhood camaraderie. If only modern day children's films had the same level of depth; I honestly think the world would be a better place.

Just saw again. Shows one reason I want to turn the clock back - only drawback nonBattersea accent . I speak as someone from there! Otherwise - why can't life and today's kids be like that?

Battersea Power Station towers majestically over this fairly early Children's Film Foundation presentation starring a tousle-haired young Michael Crawford, attractively shot on location in glorious summer weather in the days when it's chimneys still belched smoke, bubble cars were considered cool and the leader of the rival gang of ruffians wears shorts. His father, though, is played by Denis Shaw - probably the meanest-looking heavy ever to appear in a CFF production - who himself does one hairy-looking stunt in a quarry before he and his ne'r-do-well son suffer the concluding ritual humiliation already becoming a CFF convention.

The strongest language any of the kids uses is "Oh, blow it!!"; but modern audiences are more likely to take offence at one of the boys constantly being called "four eyes".