Wombles DVDs - 1990s TV series

A brand new Wombles series came to ITV in March 1998, with a new look, additional characters and different voices. Each episode lasts ten minutes, twice the length of the 1970s episodes. Over the next few years there were four series of 13 episodes.

In the UK, episodes from the modern series were only available on VHS videos. But the DVDs below were released in France and Australia.

The Wombles

Released: 21 June 2002
Publisher: DVDY Films / Carrere Group
Catalogue number: EDV 1284
Running time: 52 minutes (plus two unlisted episodes)
Region: 2 (PAL)
Language: French

“Les Wombles sont d’attachantes petites créatures à fourrure qui passent leurs journées à ramasser ce que les humains jettent. Dans leur terroirs, sous la commune de Wimbledon, ils recyclent ces objets et les transforment en inventions utiles et fantastiques.”

Le Fantôme De La Commune (The Ghost Of Wimbledon Common)
Meouedonc À La Rescousse (Tomsk To The Rescue)
Jour De Congé De Missus (Madame Cholet’s Day Off)
Beau Temps Pour Faire Du Bateau (Beautiful Boating Weather)
Visite De Mac Womble (Macwomble Is Coming)
Not listed on cover: Camping Et Baies Célestes (Camping And Cloudberries)
Not listed on cover: Une Surprise Pour Tchan-Si (Shansi’s Surprise)

The Wombles Volume 1

Released: 10 November 2004
Publisher: Magna Pacific
Catalogue number: 11405
Running time: 130 minutes
Region: 4 (PAL)

“Welcome to the wonderful world of the Wombles - where there’s never a dull moment! Ever-curious and fun-loving, these furry creatures have a special knack for turning trash into treasure. In their burrow under Wimbledon Common, the Wombles are forever building ingenious inventions with hilarious and unexpected results. Every Womble day is full of surprise twists and turns.”

New Year! New You
Alderney’s Big Break
The Thingummawotsit
The Sleep Wombler
A Life In The Day Of Madame…
Wom TV
Star Struck
Practically Joking
Tomsk’s Pen Pal
What’s A Womble
Queen For A Day
The Wombles Races
The Womble Times

The Wombles Volume 2

Released: 19 January 2005
Publisher: Magna Pacific
Catalogue number: 11406
Running time: 130 minutes
Region: 4 (PAL)

Fancy! Fancy Dress
Time Travelling Tomsk
Bungo Bingo
The Thames Burrow Adventure
The Wombles Of Our Discontent
Riddle Me This
Unlucky Me
Nanny Alexandria Come To Stay
The Unwelcome Womble
Shansi’s Spider
Anchor’s Aweigh
Womble Inventor Of The Year
A Visit To The Highland Burrow

35th Anniversary Collection

Released: 5 May 2010
Publisher: Magna Home Entertainment
Catalogue number: DBX13251
Running time: 810 minutes
Discs: 6
Region: 4 (PAL)

This Australian box set contains the complete 1970s series on two discs, plus the almost-complete 1990s series on four discs. One episode is missing: Queen For A Day. The episode does appear on The Wombles Volume 1 (see above), but has some interference near the end of the episode, which may explain why it was left out of this collection.

"The all time classic series based on the books of Elisabeth Beresford comes to life once again as the endearing pint-sized Wombles of Wimbledon Common celebrate their 35th Anniversary.

"Join your favourite small, furry characters - Great Uncle Bulgaria, Tobermory, Orinoco, Bungo, Tomsk, Wellington and Madame Cholet - as they spend their days collecting the odds and ends that humans leave behind. But that’s not all they do! Once back at their burrow under Wimbledon Common, their treasures are turned into useful and imaginative objects - Making Good Use Of Bad Rubbish!

“Featuring all 111 episodes from the original stop-animation series, The Wombles 35th Anniversary Collection captures the imagination of children young and old.”