DVD review (region 2)
Starring the voices of Shiraz Adam, Janice Chaikelson, Adrian Knight, Howard Ryshpan
Release date 23 June 2008

In the 16th Century, young orphan Esteban and kidnapped Inca girl Zia are smuggled aboard a ship heading out for the New World in search of the fabled Cities of Gold…

Along with Ulysses 31 and Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds, The Mysterious Cities of Gold introduced an entire generation of 80s children to the concept of epic adventure. This was no rushed, hyper-kinetic entertainment for short attention spans, but rather an ambitious and intricately-plotted series that took time to develop its story over 39 episodes.

The show holds up remarkably well, boasting animation that recalls the work of Studio Ghibli and a charming set of characters including the rapacious explorer Mendoza and his two comical sidekicks Sancho and Pedro. Although there are fantastical elements (such as the advanced technology of the Olmecs – including the memorable giant solar-powered mechanical bird), the show also offers educational lessons about a turbulent period in history - although it obviously softens much of the violence of the time. Each episode even ends with a mini-documentary about the facts behind what you’ve just seen.

The Mysterious Cities of Gold should certainly appeal to nostalgia hounds, and will hopefully also introduce a new audience of kids to the show. Let’s just hope that the forthcoming animated movie does the series justice.

This long-awaited box set isn’t cheap, but there’s no faulting the lovingly laid on extras. Aside from the restored episodes you get a documentary featuring the main English dub cast (who remained anonymous for many years), another documentary about the creators, booklets, posters and much more. Perhaps best of all, you get a 'Philip Schofield Broom Cupboard Singalong' which should appeal to fans of 80s kids' TV. James Skipp

VERDICT: 8/10
Happily, The Mysterious Cities of Gold is just as good as you remember.

Click here to buy The Mysterious Cities of Gold at Forbidden Planet (forbiddenplanet.com)