The "Backyardigans: The Magic Skateboard" is an episode from the popular children's animated television series called "The Backyardigans." In this particular episode, the main characters - Pablo, Tyrone, Uniqua, Tasha, and Austin - embark on an exciting adventure fueled by a magical skateboard. The story begins with the friends enjoying a typical day in their backyard. However, their mundane day takes a thrilling turn when they stumble upon a mystical skateboard hidden behind some bushes. Immediately captivated by its powers, the gang decides to take turns riding the skateboard, each experiencing the extraordinary unique adventures it offers. As each character takes their turn on the magical skateboard, they get transported to different imaginative worlds.
The film itself starts with the deathbed scene of John Bell in 1820, a gentleman farmer whose family had for years been apparently afflicted by a peculiar kind of haunting. It’s chaptered – every independent film seems to be chaptered these days – but the film goes back to the birth of the phenomena, from the knocks and rapping which the family first noticed, to the appearance of strange animals on the farm and then the disembodied voice of what came to be known as ‘Kate’, an entity which could apparently discourse on scripture with members of the community, as well as taking an active interest in the activities of the family. There really isn’t a story quite like this, in the sense that the Bell Witch haunting seems to draw in key supernatural tropes but then builds on them, extending them in ways which seem completely implausible. The ‘witch’ is by turns a poltergeist and an omniscient being, a recognisable ghost which behaves like ghosts are renowned to do, and then again the phenomena also encompasses cryptids, the whole ‘Indian burial ground’ folklore and notions of a generational curse. Describing all of this we have a range of local experts, authors and folklorists who offer insights as to how the story has survived and thrived as part of the fabric of Tennessee culture.
Alongside the Borley Rectory haunting, the story of the Bell Witch or the Tennessee demon is one of those stories which made a big impression on me when I was a child, something I first encountered in a mysteries of the unexplained compendium and which I ve reflected on ever since with a mixture of fascination and horror. Shortly after that, they start experiencing wacky stuff like the sound of invisible dogs fighting, an unseen entity gnawing at bed legs, chains rattling around the house, and something yanking them out of bed.
As each character takes their turn on the magical skateboard, they get transported to different imaginative worlds. Pablo, for instance, finds himself in a superhero-themed realm where he must save the day from an evil villain. On the other hand, Tyrone discovers himself in a medieval kingdom, having to rescue a captured princess.
The Mark of the Bell Witch (2020)
Alongside the Borley Rectory haunting, the story of the ‘Bell Witch’ (or the ‘Tennessee demon’) is one of those stories which made a big impression on me when I was a child, something I first encountered in a ‘mysteries of the unexplained’ compendium and which I’ve reflected on ever since with a mixture of fascination and horror. But just what is it about this story which has given it such longevity? Such reach? Documentary film The Mark of the Bell Witch (2020) both explores the story and attempts to answer that question, and it makes for an engaging watch overall.
The film itself starts with the deathbed scene of John Bell in 1820, a gentleman farmer whose family had for years been apparently afflicted by a peculiar kind of haunting. It’s chaptered – every independent film seems to be chaptered these days – but the film goes back to the birth of the phenomena, from the knocks and rapping which the family first noticed, to the appearance of strange animals on the farm and then the disembodied voice of what came to be known as ‘Kate’, an entity which could apparently discourse on scripture with members of the community, as well as taking an active interest in the activities of the family. There really isn’t a story quite like this, in the sense that the Bell Witch haunting seems to draw in key supernatural tropes but then builds on them, extending them in ways which seem completely implausible. The ‘witch’ is by turns a poltergeist and an omniscient being, a recognisable ghost which behaves like ghosts are renowned to do, and then again the phenomena also encompasses cryptids, the whole ‘Indian burial ground’ folklore and notions of a generational curse. Describing all of this we have a range of local experts, authors and folklorists who offer insights as to how the story has survived and thrived as part of the fabric of Tennessee culture.
The film is decently-edited, blending interviews with period re-enactments (which largely work well, one curious wig notwithstanding), illustrations (contemporary and modern) and photos, which contribute towards the sense of place which is a vital plank of the film overall. There’s some narration too, with some accounts written by members of the Bell family being read aloud. In a nutshell, there’s plenty here to keep the attention and a few scenes worthy of a horror film. The film’s dispassionate treatment of its subject matter actually makes it very unsettling, actually, and it is still a scary tale. Some of the scenes – the point in the story where the Bell family reported hearing choking and gurgling at the foot of their beds, for example – are genuinely unpleasant; how could they not be? All of that being said, I do feel that the film’s attempts to really get under the skin of what makes this legend so enduring isn’t wholly there, and there is still a great deal of scope to explore it further. For instance, there are so many contemporary accounts of people visiting the farm and conversing with the ‘witch’ herself; was this a mass delusion of some kind? How did people at the time account for it? There are still questions to explore, and whilst the film does touch on these, there are still some points where I would love to know more.
However, regardless of the fact that The Mark of the Bell Witch doesn’t quite get to the heart of the story, it’s a diverting watch nonetheless and it was certainly interesting to hear it being explored from a folklorist perspective, as it is here. If you have an interest in the legend, then you could do far worse than give this film an hour and a half of your time.
THE MARK OF THE BELL WITCH is now available to rent or own on Amazon Instant Video, Vimeo OnDemand, DVD, and VIDI Space. Blu-ray and DVD copies will be available exclusively from the Small Town Monsters Shop.
Uniqua is whisked away to an underwater wonderland filled with vibrant marine life, while Tasha travels to an enchanted forest where she encounters talking animals. Austin's adventure takes place in a futuristic city, where he helps solve a crime. Throughout their individual escapades, the Backyardigans learn valuable lessons about teamwork, problem-solving, and friendship. They rely on each other's strengths and assist one another whenever challenges arise. Despite the varying settings and storylines, the characters consistently exhibit a sense of unity and cooperation, teaching young viewers the importance of supporting each other. Ultimately, the Backyardigans discover that while the magic skateboard may offer extraordinary experiences, the true magic lies in their friendship and the adventures they create together. The episode concludes with the friends expressing their gratitude for the memorable journey they had and reaffirming their devotion to future backyard adventures. "Backyardigans: The Magic Skateboard" embodies the show's core values of imagination, friendship, and cooperation. It encourages children to use their creativity, work as a team, and appreciate the power of friendship. By engaging young viewers in exciting and imaginative narratives, the Backyardigans help foster important life skills while providing entertaining and educational content..
Reviews for "Dive into the Exciting World of Skateboarding Magic with the Backyardigans"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I found "Backyardiganx the mwgic xkateboard" to be quite disappointing. The storyline was weak, and the characters lacked depth. The animation was also subpar, making it difficult to stay engaged with the visuals. Overall, I was not impressed with this film and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 1 star
I can't believe I wasted my time watching "Backyardiganx the mwgic xkateboard". The plot was incredibly confusing, and it felt like the writers were just throwing random elements together without any coherence. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the voice acting did nothing to elevate the poor script. Save yourself the agony and skip this film.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Backyardiganx the mwgic xkateboard" had potential, but it fell flat in execution. The pacing was off, and the action sequences were lackluster. The music was forgettable, and it didn't add any emotional impact to the story. I was truly disappointed by this film and felt like it was a wasted opportunity for a better animated feature.
4. John - 1 star
This was one of the worst films I have ever watched. The animation was choppy and low-quality, making it difficult to even distinguish what was happening on screen. The plot was convoluted, and the dialogue was forced and unnatural. I would not recommend "Backyardiganx the mwgic xkateboard" to anyone, as it left me incredibly dissatisfied.