Sophie Neville with Swallow on Coniston Water, Cumbria
Nick Barton of Harbour Pictures, in collaboration with BBC Films, launched a new adaptation of Swallows and Amazons on 19th August 2016.
I had joined him and his wife on the first recce to the Lake District back in 2011, staying at Bank Ground Farm, sailing Swallow on Coniston Water and taking a boat trip down Lake Windermere in Cumbria. He went on to find locations on Derwentwater and in Yorkshire with his director Philippa Lowthorpe who developed the new script with Andrea Gibb.
To see a clip of the opening scenes, starring Kelly Macdonald and Andrew Scott – please click here
If you want to know what it was like to be in the film made back in 1973 ~ please click here: https://sophieneville.net/category/autobiography/
To read more about the making of the 1974 classic, take a look at my book ‘The Making Of Swallows and Amazons’
Sophie Neville 
I wished I was in England and between 10-13
On Sat, Mar 9, 2013 at 5:27 PM, sophienevil
You can always imagine.
Ahh so it is this year for sure then eh! , I saw the little teaser they put up on Vimeo a few weeks back. Geez, I wish I was just a “little bit” younger and had the right accent! Are you working on this film in any way Sophie?
I don’t have a formal job working on the film but have offered to help Nick where I can.
Thank you – we found the Vimeo and added it to the posting.
I’m assuming they’ll find some more appropriate music when they come to shoot the film! But otherwise it was a gorgeous nostalgic tour of the Lakes… memo to self… must get up there again soon!!
Why not go up for: 29th May ~2nd June
~ Coniston Regatta hosted by Bank Ground Farm
Lovely idea, but sadly I’ll be really busy in May / June helping to oversee moving a nursing home. Perhaps I’ll go in September when things have calmed down a bit!
September is a great time – and usually better weather
Sophie, we did attend the Coniston Regatta at Bank Ground Farm at the invitation of Greg (engineer of the S.Y Gondola. My other half showed his 1/8th scale model steam launch, which was met with much appreciation and admiration from all who attended. We had a lovely few days in the Lakes and sadly the outdoor viewing of the movie wasn’t possible as a surge in the generator burnt out the projector. However the lovely Jonathon of Bank Ground farm moved us all (after a lovely hot pot supper) up to view it in the farms visitor lounge, which was much better :o)
I just wanted to add that about 15 children from toddler to teen sat without a peep for the whole duration of the movie.. Just goes to show that they can still love Swallows and Amazons today. In fact I think that it was something of a novelty to watch something with ‘real’ people and places instead of computer generated rubbish and cartoons. Keep up the good work.
How good to hear about the 2013 Coniston Regatta. I wish I could have been with you.
Tell me if I am wrong but it seems to be the same every time. Children snuggle down and watch ‘Swallows & Amazons’ in complete silence, totally absorbed – often much to the surprise of their parents. When adults declare that the 1974 film will be received by children of today as out-of-date, I know that they have not watched it recently. The story is not strong but the idea of camping alone on an island or living on a houseboat must capture the imagination. I am sure the movie can be improved upon (it certainly can be updated technically) but somehow the simplicity works well, on either big screen or small.
When I tell children that the Swallows were based on a real family they are not at all surprised. However, while adults want to know what the children who acted in the film are doing now, and how the film was made, most children don’t want to find out. It would spoil the magic. To them, Titty is nine-years-old, and always will be. I am somebody else – a film-maker lady. They tend to wait shyly whilst their parents are intrigued to find out what – perhaps just an inflection of the voice – has remained unchanged.
It’s been FORTY years! This seems difficult to grasp. Many people burst into tears when they see the little film ‘The Secrets of filming Swallows & Amazons’ that we made recently, and yet can’t quite explain why. It must be about looking back on time, nostalgia.
Very interesting. I thought this project had died. Good to hear it’s going ahead. Are they planning to do all the books this time? Pity you didn’t in the 70s.
I know that Nick would love to make ‘Peter Duck’ and ‘Winter Holiday’. He has aquired the rights to adapt all the books, it is just raising the finances that is difficult. Filming in the Lake District is more expensive that you’d ever imagine.
Richard Pilbrow really wanted to go on to make a film of Arthur Ransome’s book ‘Great Northern?’ as he loves the Hebrides but raging inflation made raising film finance near impossible in the mid-1970’s.
Cant see how they could do all of them with the same children, unless they made them back to back and that isnt going to happen. Sure hope they do do some of the others… Peter Duck and Winter Holiday could deffinately be made exciting enough to keep a modern audience interested. Actually, I’m sure they all could.. Anyway, wishing Nick and his team all the best on this most worthy project!
I think if they “cheat” a bit they could use the same lot – by cheat I mean that someone in their early twenties can be made to look sixteen. So if, say, the girl playing Titty was around eleven when they started, she might be twenty five by the time they film “Great Northern” but could probably get away with it.
I sure the casting wouldn’t be too much of a problem if they can find film investors.
Are they looking for local children? My daughter is 7 but we live in Buckinghamshire – would love her to be involved! Do you have any more info about what they’re looking for?
I’m sure you can always apply. You can find out about the characters they are looking for and their ages simply by reading ‘Swallows and Amazons’. Seven might be too young for girls but then the film might get delayed. I don’t think living in Buckinghamshire would be a problem.
Did you wonder about doing a Jenny Agutter?! 🙂 It would be great to see versions of some of the other books as well!
Ahh – you’ll have to write to Harbour Pictures with any suggestions!
I think my 7 year old will probably explode with excitement at the idea of a new film. I’d better not tell her – I don’t think she’ll understand the timescale of film-making. Shame she’s too young for the casting, but I’m not sure she’d be interested in playing anyone but her heroine Nancy.
You must write and tell Nick Barton at Habour Pictures ~ he’d treasure the encouragement.
They have put a teaser on Vimeo. Everyone should add a comment there to let them know that there are plenty of us out here excited about what they are doing!
Yes indeed – I can pass comments on too.
Have they found the boats yet Sophie? Are they using Swallow from the 73 film?
They might want to use ‘Mavis’ or other boats but the have the contact details for the ‘Swallow’ and for the ‘Amazon’ used in 1973. It’s the houseboat which is the big issue. Nick and I went to see ‘The Esperance’ at the Steam Boat Museum – I’ll write a blog post about it soon.
All power to your persuasive ability. The use of Esperance for the houseboat was about the only thing that was pleasing about the 1960s BBC film.
Avoid Mavis at all costs. I don’t know the currant state of Coch-y-bunddhu, but she would make a rather good Amazon.
I saw the B/W BBC 1962 series with Joe Waters in 1983 and only have memories of boredom.
What is Mavis like to sail??
I can’t speak from experience, but Mavis is a strange shape, rather like rowing boat and so slim bowed that her stability does not increase as she heels. Richard Pierce, a local dinghy expert told me ‘Mavis, in my opinion is without a saving grace!’ He added, ‘I thought the boat’ was a killer’. It was a long time ago, but he was right.
I did advise Nick to use the same Amazon as we used in 1973. She is very handy – pretty fast and still in good condition. Harbour Pictures have the contact details.
Richard told me the same a few years ago, and I have no doubt he is right: I passed this on to Nick Barton when I first heard about the film, but never heard back. Let’s hope they aren’t duffers…or perhaps Sophie could have a word! Ransome’s Coch-y-bonddhu is fine and sails well: she would be a wonderful choice…
Thanks for adding the comment.
You must remind us where Coch-y-bonddhu is lying.
Do let me know if you have any questions about the S&A films.
Coch-y-bonddhu belongs to the Arthur Ransome Society and they keep her at Windermere St Anne’s School, where the public can see her (when not sailing on a TARS event): we happened to meet her on Coniston Water a few years ago (we’re often sailing and rowing a Norwegian faering down at the High Nibthwaite end) and the children – all ardent AR fans and hardened sailors – blagged a sail.
Sophie,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I brought it to the notice of our young sailors and on Saturday I one excited told me he has got through the first stage and is waiting to see if the video he submitted will get him through the next. I feel nearly as excited as him.
Great! Let me know how it goes.
Hi Sophie,
my daughter is the character of Titty to a tee! have we missed a deadline for casting, do you know? She is a great sailor too
Not sure – but I wouldn’t waste anytime applying! I gather they need you to record a short piece about yourself on video and send it in.
Sorry, I’ve just realised that the reply I sent you on 17th April sounded a bit negative. What I meant to say was, apply ASAP!
Not a comment, just some news: Theatre by the Lake in Keswick will be staging Swallows and Amazons as its 2013 Christmas show. It runs from November 30 to January 18; http://www.theatrebythelake.co.uk
Every John, Susan, Titty and Roger (young and old) welcome.
Wonderfuul! Do you have a web-site or Box Office link? I could add the info to the ‘Swallows & Amazons’ page on this website.
The website is http://www.theatrebythelake.co.uk and the box office is 017687 74411.
And before Swallows and Amazons sails in, we have six contrasting plays (from farce to tragedy) running in repertory from May 25 to November 9.
Great!
I have added the details to this page:
https://sophieneville.net/swallows-and-amazons/
Thank you.
would so like to be involved in this film….. I’m 14, can sail, previous acting exp and just love the storyline !
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3139633/
I am sure you can still write in to the casting director. Email ASAP with a photo, details of your height, swimming & sailing experience and your normal accent. They’ll need a self-made clip of you on film (Youtube or Vimeo) If you are too old for this film I am sure she’ll keep your details for another. Hope this comes at a good time for you!
Will they be making movies of ‘Coot Club’ and ‘The Big Six’? If they do then I suppose they will be looking for a different set of child actors and.actresses, right? I applied for Swallows and Amazons at the beginning of April and got the auto reply saying that they would reply within 4-8 weeks (1st May-31st May) if they were interested in me, but I haven’t had a reply yet.
I know they would love to make a movie of ‘Peter Duck’ if the new adapation of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ proves a sucess.
I don’t know anything more about the casting I’m afraid. you could always contact them but I expect it is something simple like your Date of birth. ‘Coot Club’ does have entirely different characters. You could always write to the Producer suggesting her makes it into a movie! He would appreciate your enthusiasium for Arthur Ransome’s stories.
I’ve been selected to go to an audition for it – I hope I get the part
Thanks so much for commenting on my blog post. Do let me know how the auditions go for ‘Swallows & Amazons’ 2015!
I really want to audition but I haven’t been asked I really want to do acting for my career plus I live in the Lake District
Have you written in with a photo?
my daughter attended the casting workshop on saturday 14/3/15. what a lot of children there ! she is waiting with fingers crossed 🙂
How exciting! Where was the workshop held?
hello sophie !
it was held at kirby kendal school . she is obviuosly from the north so i think they had her in mind for peggy . anyway there was loads there so we will wait 🙂
Great. So glad to hear they are looking for kids in Cumbria.
I would love to see the other books made into films, particularly ‘Winter Holiday’ and ‘We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea’.
Yes, that would be wonderful. ‘We Didn’t Mean to Go To Sea’ would be wonderful. The Goblin is in pristine condition and Pin Mill can’t have changed much. It would not be impossible.
Pin Mill hasn’t changed much. I was there in July and it looked just the same to me.
Harwich is historic too