Client: Fabulous Films
videography • editing • music composition • interviews • production

Celebrating the DVD release of the previously unseen episodes of Monkey not screened by the BBC when the show was originally transmitted in the UK, Monkey Nuts covers the eventual dubbing of these 13 “lost” episodes as well as providing background to the cult fantasy classic.

Produced by Japan’s NTV, Monkey follows the incredible adventures of a boy-priest and the three fallen angels who become his guardians as he spreads enlightenment throughout the world. Featuring a bizarre amalgamation of fantastical martial arts, 1970’s disco music, and a dash of Buddhist philosophy, the series proved to be a popular hit.

In preparation for the new recordings, Richard Walker at Fabulous Films and director George Roubicek tracked down almost all the surviving members of the original UK voice cast. Maria Warburg, who voiced Tripitaka, had since retired from the acting profession but was delighted to return to working on "Little Trip". Peter Woodthorpe, who most famously voiced Gollum in both Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 animated film production of The Lord of The Rings and the 26-part BBC Radio 4 adaptation, was eager to reprise the role as Pigsy despite his failing health. Less than a month after completing the last recording session of the entire job he passed away and the documentary was respectfully dedicated to his memory.

Scripted by Robert Ross and narrated by Richard Bacon, the 45-minute Monkey Nuts documentary was produced by Dysfunction in association with Fabulous Films. As well as covering the dubbing sessions, Dysfunction filmed interviews with the voice cast which included David Collings, Miriam Margolyes, Andrew Sachs, Burt Kwouk and our very own Mark Spencer.