No one has mentioned the marvelous casting in the original, especially given the mores of the time. However, I imagine Gillingham had input in that.
David Rappaport is always a brilliant actor, and the scene where Wally thinks Fidget is gone for good is a proper tear-jerker.
The bit with Sean Connery where Kevin is abducted by the Bandits genuinely affected me as a young teen.
The bit with the Ogre (played by Snouty from Porridge) is a cracker too.
Great film which I took delight in showing my kids when old enough.