Play Safe (1978)
0h 10m | PG-13
Sponsored as part of the Electricity Council's 'Understanding Electricity' campaign, Play Safe is a series of three hard-hitting fillers designed to highlight to children the potentially fatal consequences of playing near overhead electric lines and substations. The carefree attitude of the youngsters as they fly their kites and radio-controlled planes in the open air is undermined by composer Harry Robinson's electronic soundtrack, which pulsates with menace throughout.
Director: David Eady
Studio: Electricity Council
Genre: Family, Animation, Drama
Video: 720p
Cast
Bernard Cribbins
as Robin (voice)
Brian Wilde
as Owl (voice)
Jayne Tottman
as Amy
Reviews
There are three parts to this public information message that advises kids to be careful when they are playing outdoors. The first sees a frisbee inadvertently wedge itself into an electricity substation and the fetching lad unfortunately makes friends with a 66,000 volt shock. It's a similar story with kites and planes - this one narrated by the inimitable voice of Brian Wilde - as we are all warned that the guide cables are perfectly capable of conduction should they get tangled up in the wires from pylons. Finally, we look at my own personal favourite hobby (not!) - camping. Again it's the thrust of the story to be aware of overhead power cables especially if you have an enormous great circus tent to put up, or more likely a fishing rod. Essentially all three advise you to be aware of your surroundings when you play outdoors and it's decent enough advice even now.