When you think of Ian Holm, your brain probably goes straight to Middle-earth. It’s hard not to. He was the definitive Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit who started it all. But before he was fumbling with the One Ring in a Bag End pantry, Holm was living under a different set of floorboards.
In 1992, the BBC released a six-part adaptation of Mary Norton’s classic novels, The Borrowers. It was quiet. It was tactile. Honestly, it was a masterpiece of "small" storytelling.
Holm played Pod Clock, the patriarch of a family of four-inch-tall people. He didn't play him like a cartoon or a whimsical fairy-tale creature. He played him like a stressed-out Victorian father trying to keep his family from getting stepped on. It’s a performance that grounds the entire series in a way the 1997 Hollywood film never quite managed.
The Magic of Pod Clock
Most people remember the 1997 movie starring John Goodman. It was loud, colorful, and very "90s blockbuster." But the 1992 TV series? That’s where the real soul is.
Ian Holm brought a certain gravity to Pod. As a "Borrower," Pod’s entire life is a high-stakes heist. Taking a single tea biscuit or a stray safety pin is a life-or-death mission. Holm captures that weary professionalism perfectly. He doesn't use CGI. He uses his face.
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The chemistry on screen was actually backed by real-life history; Holm was married to his co-star, Penelope Wilton (who played his wife, Homily), at the time of filming. You can feel that lived-in, bickering, deeply loving energy between them. They weren't just actors hitting marks; they were a unit.
Why the 1992 Series Hits Different
Technically speaking, the show was a marvel of its era. They didn't have the luxury of seamless digital compositing. Instead, they relied on:
- Giant Props: Pennies the size of dinner plates and needles as long as swords.
- Practical Lighting: A warm, slightly hazy glow that makes the Victorian setting feel like a memory.
- Forced Perspective: Making the "human beans" look like giants through camera angles rather than just green screens.
The result is something that feels tangible. When Pod climbs a curtain using a hatpin, you feel the effort. You see the texture of the fabric. It’s not "slick," and that’s why it works. It feels like a world that actually exists behind your baseboards.
Beyond the Floorboards: The Return of the Borrowers
The success of the first series led to a sequel in 1993, The Return of the Borrowers. This took the Clock family out of the safety of the house and into the terrifying expanse of the English countryside.
Imagine being four inches tall in a field of grass. A crow is a dragon. A puddle is an ocean.
Holm’s Pod has to transition from a master of the indoors to a pioneer of the outdoors. The stakes get weirdly high. They end up in a model village called Little Fordham, which sounds like a dream for a tiny person, but it’s basically a gilded cage.
What’s fascinating about Holm’s career is how he navigated these "small" roles. He had this uncanny ability to make diminutive characters feel massive. Whether he was Pod Clock, a disgruntled coach in Chariots of Fire, or a hobbit, he never played down to the size. He played the heart.
Where to Find the Series Today
Finding the Ian Holm version of The Borrowers can be a bit of a treasure hunt. It’s not always sitting on the front page of Netflix.
- BritBox: Since it’s a BBC classic, this is usually your best bet for high-quality streaming.
- DVD Collections: Many fans still swear by the physical media because the 90s television grain looks better on an old-school disc than a compressed stream.
- Internet Archive: Occasionally, enthusiasts upload upscaled versions here for preservation.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to revisit this era of Ian Holm’s work, don't just stop at The Borrowers. To truly appreciate his range during this period, watch his performance in The Madness of King George (1994) immediately after. Seeing him go from the quiet, resourceful Pod to the intense, medical authority of Dr. Willis shows exactly why he was knighted for his services to drama.
If you have kids who only know the CGI-heavy world of modern fantasy, show them the first episode of the 1992 series. It’s a lesson in how tension can be built with a single piece of string and a very quiet room.
Next Steps for Your Watchlist:
- Compare the Portrayals: Watch 20 minutes of the 1992 series followed by the 1997 film. Notice how Holm uses silence versus how the film uses slapstick.
- Read the Source: Mary Norton’s books are darker than the adaptations. The Borrowers Afield is particularly gritty.
- Check the Credits: Look for Rebecca Callard (Arrietty). She holds her own against Holm and Wilton, which is no small feat for a young actress.
The 1992 Borrowers isn't just a kids' show. It’s a masterclass in scale and character acting. Ian Holm didn't just play a tiny man; he showed us a world where the smallest things carry the most weight.