After the death of her parents, Dora Maddocks (Gillian Blake) is sent to live with her uncle, Colonel Geoffrey Maddocks (Desmond Llewelyn), the proprietor of Follyfoot Farm. The farm serves as a rest home for unwanted and mistreated horses, and Dora quickly commits to its mission. She joins a small team of dedicated staff, including the pragmatic Steve (Steve Hodson), the cynical former jockey Ron Stryker (Christian Rodska), and the good-natured handyman Slugger (Arthur English). The serial follows their efforts to rescue animals from neglect, with storylines that do not shy away from the harsh realities of their work. As the Colonel’s health declines in the final season, Dora is forced to take on full responsibility for the farm’s survival.
Follyfoot earned its place in television history by rejecting the episodic conventions of contemporary children’s programming. Based on Monica Dickens’ novels and shot entirely on film, the production had a downbeat, pastoral quality that separated it from its studio-bound rivals. The narrative maintained continuity across its three seasons, building its drama not on weekly contrivances but on the long-term emotional consequences of its characters’ work. Its refusal to offer easy resolutions, often culminating in the death of a rescued animal, gave the series a remarkable emotional weight. The programme’s creative pedigree was confirmed by a roster of formidable directors, including Stephen Frears and Michael Apted, and its cultural impact was cemented by its iconic theme song, “The Lightning Tree,” and a substantial range of tie-in merchandise.
Broadcast: ITV – Yorkshire, 39 Episodes, Sundays
Adapted from the novels of Monica Dickens by: Francis Stevens (Tony Essex)
Directors: Stephen Frears, Michael Apted, Vic Hughes, Desmond Davis, Claude Whatham, David Hemmings
Executive Producer: Tony Essex
Producer: Audley Southcott
Theme Music: “The Lightning Tree” performed by The Settlers
Main Cast: Gillian Blake (Dora Maddocks), Steve Hodson (Steve), Christian Rodska (Ron Stryker), Desmond Llewelyn (Colonel Geoffrey Maddocks), Arthur English (Slugger), Frederick Treves (Sam Lockwood)
