Chocky - The Complete Collection

Second Sight Films LTD, 452 minutes, PG

DVD L24.99 (US $46.00)

Chocky is based on a John Wyndham novel. While Wyndham is better know for the apocalyptic The Day of the Triffids this is a tale of children, aliens and the evil of mankind’s greed. This set is comprised of Chocky, based on the Wyndham book, and the sequels Chocky’s Children and Chocky’s Challenge.

In Chocky, Matthew Gore is a typical schoolboy and then, suddenly, his schoolwork drastically improves and he begins showing other, previously unknown talents. When he talks about “Chocky” who is inside his head, his parents at first fear mental illness and then, gradually, Matthew’s father comes to recognize that Chocky is real. Unfortunately others believe Chocky is real as well and kidnap Matthew in order to learn about Chocky.

In Chocky’s Children, Matthew has gone to visit his aunt and meets Albertine, a young math genius. They learn they can communicate with each other via telepathy. Albertine’s talents attract the attention of unscrupulous scientists and Chocky must return to help Matthew save Albertine.

In the concluding story, Chocky’s Challenge, a whole group of children have been brought together to work on a project that will help mankind but the military gets involved and attempts to steal the project and imprison Chocky as well.

While these were obviously done in the 1980s the story is a strong one and holds up well. Wyndham’s original is the strongest of the three stories but the other two are good compliments to the original. Recommended. - Stephanie L Bannon