Round the Twist (1989–2001) User Reviews (21)

Great show for some fun relaxing TV

[zakydx · 8/10 · 14 January 2016]

Got the Box Set from the stores a few months ago, remembering how many times i used to watch it as a kid, based off the equally awesome Paul Jennings short stories! :P

Anyway its a great show for a time killer, relaxing, etc, and some episodes (actually a Lot) make you wonder how it actually made it as a kids show LOL (Whirling Dervish probably being the most controversial one haha)

So good fun for kids, teens, young adults, etc, and also pretty cool to see how the show works around the different actors they get - the first original Nell had such a presence on screen that the second one couldn't match with her look so they didn't just try to pretend it was the same actor, equally the first Harold Gribble was a smooth salesman sort of guy, where as the second Harold Gribble was...not so smooth :P

Really Good Show though :D :P

(also worth noting not sure if its just the DVD's I had or the entire Australian release, But one DVD is mis-labelled as Disc One (its actually is disc two though so no need to return it before you check it) And Also the video quality to start off on the Very 1st episode is a bit iffy, but gets a lot better on all the other episodes from memory)

A very entertaining series

[zyre_mehdi · 9/10 · 25 February 2014]

I watched this series when I was a kid. It was my favorite show on the TV at that time and I always felt happy after watching it. Later on I forgot all about it till one day I stumbled upon its theme song on Youtube. I felt so nostalgic as I recalled every lyric of the song to which I grew up listening.

The series revolves around the Twist family; Tony Twist (father), Pete and Linda (twins) and Bronson (younger brother). They settle in a Lighthouse that turns out to be haunted, but the ghosts haunting it are very friendly and funny. The Twists go through many strange and interesting experiences throughout the series. The reason why I love it is that although the episodes are not based on a very strong plot or exceptional acting by the cast, yet it improved my mood every time I watched it.

I have to admit that I'd love watching it again, and I'm in my twenties.

The best children's show on television in Australia of all time!

[samog-98289 · 8/10 · 29 November 2022]

After watching four magnificent seasons twice! Once on Netflix and one more time on YouTube here's my honest review of the show first I'll talk about my thoughts, my childhood memories of watching this, comparing this to the short stories and my final thoughts! I loved this show back when my brother Jordy and I watched it when we still had Civic Video before we had streaming services! Each season had a unique story to it there's even a little bit of romance in it & those stories came together very well! I even heard about them in primary school and thought to myself oh that's just like the children's book! Tamsin West sings and performs the theme song for this in every episode! Overall this was fun to watch from beginning to end & has a happy ending that works so well that's why I'm giving this entire series an 8/10! Goodbye Round the Twist. I'll miss you. :'-)

Great Aussie Classic........

[highflying_falcon · 10/10 · 16 January 2006]

Like many Aussie kids of my generation, I grew up with Round The Twist.

I was in Kindergarten when it was first made and the first series as well as the second were the ones that contained the most memorable stories and characters. The abandoned room with the soothing sounds of music coming from the old instruments is still playing in my ears till this day.

Every part of each story was very original and the third and fourth series were a very big disappointment considering the weak cast and the stories were an absolute let down due to the fact that a lot of it came straight out of fairy tales.

The actors who played each of the Twist children in the first two series did an excellent job compared to anything the actors of the third and fourth series could have delivered.

I hope that the Round The Twist series will always remain an Aussie classic to be watched by many generations to come.

Brilliant fantasy drama series

[Shez-shez · 11 May 2001]

Season Two of Round the Twist was the best of the four series, and is not only the best children's TV series I've ever seen, but one of the best fantasy drama series for any age group at all. It is in turns funny, moving, and profoundly weird, and episodes tend to push the boundaries of children's television in a refreshing way. As with most Australian children's TV series the location shooting is really beautiful.

Underpinning the stories of Season two is the tragic history of the lighthouse's ghosts - who are they, and why are they full of sadness and regret? - a mystery which is resolved in the final episode.

The programme makers show great attention to detail, for instance during the end credits of each show we get to see not only out-takes but alternative workings of scenes from the week's episode. (Sadly in the UK, the BBC bizarrely refuse to show the endings of children's dramas, so UK viewers miss out on this intriguing footage which rounds off each week's episode).

RTT went downhill after season two with the loss of the original script-writer Paul Jennings, whose short stories the TV show is based on.

The Greatest Aussie Kids Show Ever

[nathanjamesemerson · 10/10 · 30 September 2018]

Round The Twist has to be one of the most bizarre yet extremely fun kids show ever created. And it was all done here in Australia.

The first two seasons episodes are based on the stories of Paul Jennings known for his quirky yet weird hilarious tales.

Season 1 is really the standout season. It is the best cast line up of all four seasons. There is a lot of cast changes for the remaining three seasons. Season 2 is pretty good as well. Seasons 3 and 4 have there moments. But Season 1 will always be the best.

I give this 10/10 just for Season 1 alone.

Great for the kids and great for those of us who grew up with the show in the late 80's and 90's.

Fantastic

[Nakor87 · 10/10 · 20 August 2005]

When I was five years old, my favourite t.v. show was Round the twist, no matter how badly directed it was and how bad some of the acting was, I will always hold it dear to my heart. As an Australian, I can safely say that to have a teenagers program set along the Great Ocean Road and have some Australian humour set in with it, makes it a timeless classic. And the characters in it that are portrayed are funny and interesting, such as Sam Vandenberg as Pete Twist when he can't stop saying "without my pants", Paul Jennings is a genius. My favourite place in the whole world is the Great Ocean Road and to see it used in such away makes me a proud Australian, because lets face it, we don't have many good shows, and the ones that we do have are very few and are unfortunately fading out of popularity with the gross overimposement of American television shows

Australian television at it's best

[atomius · 10/10 · 20 May 2007]

This is an example of the pinnacle of Australian children's television. The plot, centering on the Twist family who live in a lighthouse in a fictional town on the 'Shipwreck Coast' (filmed in Southern Victoria), concerns bizarre happenings at the lighthouse and town of Port Niranda, and the characters of Pete, Bronson, Linda and Tony and Fay are amusing and entertaining, as are the school teacher and Mr Gribble and his family. The first two series made around 1990 were very good, based on books by children's author Jennings. This is a fine example of the summit of that great mountain of 'wierd and wacky' shows, whose summit is like a needle on a haystack. The later series have a similar plot ark featuring the Viking Book of Love and Atlantis plots, and are almost as good as the first, though the first two series are my fave. All in all it is a good show and quite good entertainment.

Amazing show with creativity out of this world

[bennyjhughes · 10/10 · 10 April 2014]

As many other reviews had said this for me was one of the greatest shows i ever watched as a child. Growing up and waiting for the show to be on the ABC in Australia was always very exciting Although i must say the first and second seasons are far superior i still as an adult have seen all the seasons and enjoy them all Another reviewer stated its a shame not to see some of the cast these days- well Jeffrey walker who played Bronson in the second season is a great director and only getting bigger( hes done episodes of modern family, rake etc) Anyway a great show to watch with your kids or even yourself as an adult. The story line i do admit can be pretty weird at times but all the same entertaining. Whats not to love about a family living in a haunted light house with crazy adventures every episode.

Quite possibly the best from my youth

[cambonds-11482 · 10/10 · 22 February 2021]

This show was the one it remember the most from my childhood. Second only to Daria later on for nostalgic memory this show brought the stories of Paul Jennings to life. These stories were hilarious as a child, but with deep adult themes I only understood after watching again through time.

Truly masterful.

Holy crap it's great!!!

[madeline cherry · 7 February 2002]

I watched this television series (well the first two seasons) with my brother. (I was in grade 13 and he was in grade 11) It is so great and funny that we made sure we saw every episode...you can't beat a show that has magic underwear and reverse spaghetti eating contests....I wish I had them on video because I would throw round the twist parties ....or something like that...

10 stars for series 1 and 2

[nicolaperrin · 10/10 · 20 August 2022]

Series 1 and 2 are both amazing! Series 3 and 4 not so much. The writing is a lot lazier and the acting isn't anywhere near as good.

But series 1 and 2 are just great. I remember watching this as a child and we're watching it now when I'm 37 years old. I actually remember quite a few of the episodes and they're even better now that I'm older. Our children are really enjoying watching with us too! The writing and acting for series 1 and 2 is so good, I'm sad that they didn't make any more back then.

Greatest show ever!!.. Without my pants.

[askeland89 · 10/10 · 6 May 2022]

My Ausie roomate introduced me to this bizarre show, now I'm addicted, the theme song is stuck in my head and I demand a modern age sequel!!

I may be a 32 year old Nordic guy and I know this show was marketed towards Ausie kids in the late 80s but I can't help myself.. I want more of this!!!

Round The Bend More Like!

[mabean · 12 May 1999]

I remember watching this series when I was still at school. It was a completely mad dash of 25 minutes of escapism - from Ghosts to... everything else that is good about kiddies tv.!

If they ever release it on video - I would buy it!!

Brilliant!

[Estella · 14 August 2002]

I think that the first series of Round The Twist (along with the original series of Eerie Indiana)is the best kids prog ever! I loved it's quirky sense of humour and great silly storylines. Someone else who commented on RTT loved the 'Without My Pants' one, well thats one of my faves too. I have some on video, but not that one!! I wish they'd repeat it cos it's worth seeing again. Pity none of the RTT gang seem to have done anything after cos they were all fab.

I LOVED this show!

[Agnt_Kat_Mulder · 16 July 2000]

This show had a run one summer on Fox and I watched EVERY DAY! I was obsessed. I also had a slight crush on Pete Twist played by Sam Vandenburg. I happened to remember his name and look him up on here and was surprised to see that Round the Twist was on here! Nobody I've ever met saw that show unless I made them watch it when I was watching it so often. I was quite mad when they took it off. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I too, would buy it if they sold it on video! My favorite episode was "Without My Pants" (I think that was the title) That was hilarious. :o) If anybody has any info on this show or the actors in it, please contact me. Thanks! Katrina

Amazing funny science fiction for kids!

[j_a_legreve-2 · 29 August 2000]

I first watched Round the Twist when Fox Kids brought it to there network and after about two months cancelled it. It was like Ripley's Believe it or Not, X-Files and So Weird mixed together. It was an excellent idea to mix spooky legends with a laugh-your-butt-off science fiction. I wish it was still on the air.

The series about the Twist there is living in a light house in port Nirada, is one of the best TV-series made ever

[thomaxz-tc · 9 October 2005]

The series about the Twist there is lining in a light house in port Nirada, is one of the best TV-series made ever.

In the the TV-series we follow the twist families which is living in a light house, the twist family is Tony, the to (orgringal: thirteen) years old twins Linda and Pete and Nine year old Bronson.

I really Like this series.

The story and the figures is good. I like the idea of the little book there goes again in every episode.

All the actors do it very very very good.

The figure i like most is Bronson and Mathew Waters do it very very very good as Bronson.

I loved it... I still would

[JN-fan · 23 July 1999]

When this was shown in Finnish tv several years ago, it took only one episode and I was hooked. I made sure I didn't miss a single episode. The idea of the series is brilliant: silly plots and exciting events with ghosts and magic hat and so on. When we combined that with good acting, we have a package that actually is quite rarely matched.

The acting wasn't strength from the beginning. Sam Vandenberg as Pete and Rodney McLennan as Bronson had problems all along. When Ben Thomas took over as Pete, he managed to do significantly steadier performance although he still remained a little weak character. Bronson Twist was brought to a whole new life when excellent Jeffrey Walker took over. Luckily, Walker was not only one to act excellent and steady because superb Joelene Crnogorac entered the series to replace Tamsin West, who had done fine. Supporting actors were fine but they stayed on "the usual level" and were satisfied with supporting steadily the leading actors except for some brilliant moments from Mark Mitchell as Harold Gribble. Linda-Bronson axis (Crnogorac-Walker) is the main structure in the series.

One of the Three Top Sci-Fi Kids Show

[Seth_Net · 25 February 2002]

This is Austalian version of Zack Files and So Weird but they do it so well. This show is equal commater to them. The Book of Love and it's follower though and journey and The Truth Micorphone. It just same that some of these think can happen

Austalia does a good job at the Sci-Fi range, enough in the episode when the shaving oder is broken, The young acter that get a real big beard. I think they could by real good star in the future. I was just surfing the Channel and when I stop and saw part of the Truth Micophone I real like the show. I found it on a Candana Station. I figure I might watch more. It's a cool show. I only see a few but they do pop up once an while.

One of My Top Three Show

Comments of the film

[Mathew Waters · 10 June 2002]

I've seen this movie and it was very good, it's one of my favourite movies on TV. It's a funny fantastic story and it's ok for kids over six years. I like all the actors and the cast was very good. Pete Twist (played from Rian McLean) credible and Ebonnie Massini as Linda Twist was the best actress for this role. Mathew Waters was too old for Bronson Twist, but he was a funny actor.