Vale Murray Ball - and thank you TV3 for screening this homage to a bygone era.

Yes it's dated, sexist, homophobic and probably racist to boot, but there's still something quintessentially endearingly cheerful about this snapshot in time of a bygone age.

Our heroes face Homerically impossible odds against the evil forces of the Murphys, rats, wild pigs, the weather and anything else you can think of - but time after time they snatch victory from the jaws of defeat - this is the kind of spirit that led to the invention of Number 8 fencing wire, this is New Zealand...

...and A1+++++, I loved this kid's movie! It's entertaining down-on-the-farm happenings are brilliantly brought to life through the late great Murray Ball's creations. Get the 1986 movie now on DVD; it's a true keeper for kids of all ages!