The Trap Door (1984–1986) User Reviews

A show that could never be anymore

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 8/10 · 6 September 2006]

If The Trap Door were to debut in 2006 then it would be low-grade CGI crap with no atmosphere or icky moments. What does that tell you about the current crop of PC-trash children's programming?

As it is, The Trap Door was an icon of 80s children's television. 'ooever knew that plasticine models could be so effective? But it wasn't just that. The castle that Berk and Boni (and the Thing upstairs) lived in was such a brilliant, atmospheric set. The 'owling winds, the dead trees and the constant dark and fog really did add a lot to it.

Berk was some kind of blue creature and was also a butler/servant to the ever-unseen cockney-voiced Thing, 'oo would always complain about the noise or being 'ungry. Whenever Berk would turn his back an 'orrible monster would creep out of the Trap Door in the basement. The Trap Door led directly into the catacombs beneath the castle where an infinity of worms and diabolical nasties dwelled. They'd cause no end of trouble for poor ol' Berk. You'd think he'd learn to keep it shut.

The theme song, despite sounding very 80s, was pretty damn cool too. One particular episode devoted its entire running time to an extended version of it. But that's one of my gripes. The running time was only 5 minutes (barely) for each episode, which was a bit annoying since it always seemed to end just as it was starting.

It only lasted for two seasons for some reason. But even though they only made a handful of episodes, The Trap Door has remained popular for over 20 years and that more than you can say for children's TV of today.

An almost forgotten gem...

[poolandrews · 9/10 · 9 December 2006]

The Trap Door was a children's TV show that ran for 2 seasons & was aired here in the UK during the 80's & as with many other people it has stayed with me for many, many years even remembering specific scenes & episodes over a decade since I first saw them. Well, like any sensible person who remember this fantastic series with any fondness I jumped at the chance of buying the British DVD which contains all 40 episodes, I sat down this afternoon & watched them all back-to-back, that's over 3 hours worth & I loved very minute of this funny trip down memory lane.

The story is simple, the cuddly blue Berk & his friends the disembodied skull Boni & they're pet bug Drutt all live together in a big castle owned by 'the thing upstairs' (all hilariously voiced by Willie Rushton) whom Berk serves. The 40 short episodes tell the tales that the friends get up to & the horrible things that emerge from the trap door...

The series uses stop motion animation & it looks like they used plasticine, you can almost smell it! It's obvious that so much effort went in every shot, there are so many things happening all over the screen from little bugs & worms that slither & slide all over the place to the character reactions The Trap Door is a real joy to watch not only once but again & again. On a negative side the stories are too short & stop as soon as they get going, although to be fair it was probably commissioned for TV & a certain time slot to fill the schedule so the makers were probably working to specific requirements. All credit to them though as they have created something a bit special here, something charming, something funny, something endearing & the fact I doubt you will ever hear anyone whose ever seen an episode ever say anything bad about it more or less proves it. I'm sure people of all ages will find much here to enjoy & I can't recommend it enough. The character's are cute & extremely likable, there's some very funny dialogue (I love how Berk refers to the monsters from the trap door as 'things' like that flying thing, that little thing, that 'orrible thing or that lumpy thing), the monsters from the trap door are suitably slimy & icky & the theme tune is absolutely brilliant too! In fact I love the episode where Berk finds a radio & when he turns it on The Trap Door theme tune plays & the whole episode revolves around it. The episode where 'the thing upstairs' eyeball rolls down into the trap door & Berk has to fetch it & ends up in the huge mouth of a giant monster is also a favourite of mine. What more can I say? It has a fabulous sense of humour, it's twisted in a funny way, it's brilliantly made on what were probably meagre funds & I have never seen a bad word written about it. I think I've run out of superlatives for it, quite simply find a copy of the DVD & watch all 40 episodes as soon as possible. One more thing, with regard to that DVD each episode is presented without the opening theme which is presented as an 'extra' on the disc instead which I have to say annoyed me immensely as it's brilliant & a very important part of the show. On Monday morning I'm going to take this into work & lend it to my friend Kelly (she's too young to have seen it on TV the first time around), she's going to love it! I hope...

The source of my childhood nightmares

[Vuraxis · 7/10 · 29 October 2019]

There's not a lot to say. It's well animated, sometimes rather funny, creative, and memorable. But damn, it is the scariest stuff my child self ever saw. It even has jumpscares!

Amazingly Good!

[tremorzen · 16 September 2004]

I can't believe that I am the first to comment on this classic cartoon.

Amazingly funny and imaginative, a true classic from the time when cartoons ruled!

I was lucky enough to pick up an old VHS recording of the episodes (they are just five minutes in length), yet it is just one of the best shows I can remember from when I was younger.

Berk is ruled as a servant by the guy upstairs, he has a friend who is a skull and the all important "Trap door", where nasty funny and creative things come out.

All I can say if you don't remember it is this...

Watch It!

Fond memories of this.

[smnbee-11586 · 9/10 · 14 March 2019]

Trapdoor was a stop-motion animated children's 'Horror' series that left little to the imagination.

Berk, which I'm surprised was allowed as the word 'Berk' is A) An insult and B) Rhyming slang for a rather severe profane word (Berk=Berkshire Hunt=... Well, you know) was a butler with a thick Cornish accent to "The thing upstairs" (Who we never saw) but heard shouting "BERK! FEED ME!"

He's joined by Boni, a dismembered skull who sometimes ends up as a bookend or holding something upright. And Drutt, a mischievous spider with a taste for worms.

Then there is the Trap Door itself, which when left open (by Berk) would often 'let something out' and we'd follow Berk, Boni and Drutt in the hapless adventure of putting whatever escaped back down the Trap Door.

The funniest thing was the familiar dialogue in an unbelievable world. And like most British children's programmed was written so that Adults would understand also (Bonkin'?).

As a kid, I used to watch this religiously, as did my parents who also found it funny.

Absolute classic TV.

Completely amazing

[marlieH · 9/10 · 9 May 2019]

If you never watched this show as i kid, then what was your childhood. My dad showed me this show all throughout my childhood and it was such a good show, i litteraly watched it on repeat. Honestly so good

Classic

[kanecam131-77-743498 · 8/10 · 5 July 2018]

Classic childhood which is still great 30 years later and still has a few scary moments ( jump scares ) and even the odd tear jerking moment. It's just a shame it ended the way it did, the final episodes ending looks bad for Berk and co.

wow wow wow

[Vuraxis · 7/10 · 7 May 2018]

This is an amazing series. I grew up (and still am growing up) watching this. Its a little dark, but the great thing is the dark side goes over small children's heads, but the older you get, ythe more you see and understand. Great humor,a lot of work put into it and all round amazing... 10/10

Beeeeeeeeeeeerk! Feed me!

[sebpopcorn · 14 June 2009]

I had fond memories of watching this as a kid so I went out and purchased the Trap Door DVD for £5 and I've got to say it's one of the best bargains I've ever found. Not only is it as brilliant as I remember but even the DVD menu is pure class.

Seeing Trap Door as an adult I realised just how much work must have gone into it. The sets are really wonderful and the endless squirming crawling beasties are really wonderfully animated. Claymation is a very slow business at the best of times but making things drip or appear to be thrown is just making things ten times harder for yourself but the makers of Trap Door obviously loved what they were doing and the attention to detail is just amazing.

The late Willie Rushton's voice is just the icing on the cake. He brings the show to life and fills it with personality. The great theme song is so memorable that when I slipped the DVD in I found I could sing along with the theme music even though I hadn't seen the show since I was a nipper.

I suppose you could say Trap Door episodes often have no plot and at five minutes long they end abruptly but this show is so charming and visually interesting that I don't really care. What's really nice to see is that if you show this programme to a kid these days they fall in love with it just like I did.

DVD Released

[Jattwood1 · 19 October 2005]

Despite there being no DVD details available here, there has been a Region 2 DVD released of Series 1 & 2, that's the complete series, and you can buy it from Amazon.co.uk at around £14. Although there are no extras on the disc, its great to see this show finally get a release as it's just so hilariously funny and the late Willie Rushton does an excellent job at voicing all the strange and wonderful characters. In fact sometimes you almost forget he is the only voice talent, if nothing else this show showcases his great comic skills. A must for any child of the eighties and good clean entertainment for children nowadays. An absolute must buy. Just superb!