The Smurfs The Smurfic Games   Starring (voice): Don Messick, Paul Winchell, Danny Goldman, Lucille Bliss, June Foray and Michael Bell Fabulous Films / Arrow Films RRP: £5.99 FHED2925 Certificate: U Available 02 July 2012

You won't find tales of stadiums going over budget, steroid abuse or Smurfette weeing on the side of the road... instead you'll get mud-wrestling, ninjas and attempted Smurfnap...

The Smurfic Games is the latest compilation of episodes from the '80s Smurf animated series. This time, to tie in with the Olympic Games being held in the UK, we have a sporty theme (for not all episodes are Olympic related as such).

Episodes in this collection include:

The Smurfic Games (which was a special originally broadcast in 1984): Following a narrow escape from the troublesome cat Azrael, Papa Smurf proposes the "Smurfic Games" to shape up the Smurfs' athletic abilities.

Smurf Box Derby (originally broadcast in 1984 as part of the show's fourth season): Handy invents the first Smurfless Smurfmobile and Gargamel develops his own mode of transport in his ongoing quest to capture the Smurfs.

Mud Wrestling Smurfs (from the show's 1985 fifth season): Clumsy is hailed as a hero when he stops the Wartmongers from draining the Smurfs' water supply.

The Most Un-Smurfy Games (originally broadcast in 1986 in the show's sixth season): Brainy tries to put his wilderness survival techniques to use by leading an expedition group into the dark slimy swamp. Can Brainy guide them back to the safety of the village before they become prey for King Bulrush and the Wartmongers?

A Hole in Smurf (first broadcast in 1987 as part of the show's seventh season): Golf fever hits Smurf village and Handy and the Smurfs become distracted from their chores and responsibilities with disastrous consequences.

Clumsy in Command (part of the show's eight season, original broadcast in 1988): When Clumsy is asked to lead an expedition up the mountain, Brainy Smurf forms his own team and the expedition turns into a race.

Karate Clumsy (originally broadcast in 1989 as part of the show's ninth season): The Smurfs stumble upon a deserted village in ancient Japan where they meet Mouse Master. He tells them they mighty Ninja Rat has enslaved the whole village. Clumsy must learn karate and try to beat the evil Ninja Rat.

Who you get, for the ridiculously low price of £6, are another fine collection of animated episodes. Yes, the animation is basic; Yes, the stories will be a little dull for adults to watch; and yes, you know everything will always, rather predictably, turn out for the best. But, for younger viewers, this should keep them happy on a rainy afternoon.

6

Nick Smithson