"the Famous Five" Five On A Secret Trail(1978) May 2026

was the eleventh episode of the first season of The Famous Five television series, premiering on September 18, 1978 , on ITV . This episode, like the rest of the Southern Television series, updated Enid Blyton's 1956 novel with a contemporary late-1970s aesthetic, featuring the children in modern attire like jeans and polo shirts. Episode Summary

The series starred Michele Gallagher as George, Marcus Harris as Julian, Gary Russell as Dick, Jennifer Thanisch as Anne, and Toddy the dog as Timmy. "The Famous Five" Five on a Secret Trail(1978)

Some viewers criticized the 1978 adaptation for its use of "dark filters" during nighttime scenes, which can make the footage difficult to see even in remastered versions. was the eleventh episode of the first season

The adventure begins when Anne and George witness strange flashing lights coming from the abandoned cottage at night. Some viewers criticized the 1978 adaptation for its

The Five eventually uncover the truth behind the "ghostly" lights and foil the gang's plot. Production & Reception

The plot follows the children—Julian, Dick, Anne, George—and their dog Timmy as they go camping near a derelict, ruined cottage on the moorland near Kirrin.

They soon discover a gang of criminals is using the cottage to search for a hidden secret tunnel. This tunnel reportedly contains a "precious blueprint" that the criminals are desperate to recover.