The television adaptation of Arthur Ransome’s classic books Coot Club and The Big Six, “Swallows and Amazons Forever!” is an eight-part drama serial made on location in East Anglia in 1983, and broadcast on BBC TV in 1984.
The Titmouse
As Revelation Films say, ‘Set on the Norfolk Broads in the 1930s, the BAFTA-nominated BBC production is packed full of lively characters, beautifully authentic scenery and plenty of adventure.’
Jake, Mark and Nic with Sam Kelly playing Captain of the Catchalot
The new version of the DVD includes the option of subtitles. The packaging and menus have been completely redesigned, and if you take a look at the DVD extras package you can see photographs that I took on location that give an insight into the production.
The big thing is that the picture quality has been digitally restored, with amazing results. This short Youtube clip shows the amazing difference in the quality.
RRP: £15.99 | Certificate: U | Discs: 1 | Run Time: 202 Minutes
To read about making the BBC drama series please click here
To purchase a copy of the new DVD on Amazon.co.uk please click here
I’m told DVDs can be viewed on a multi-region or region-free DVD player
I have given illustrated talks on how the serial was made to members of The Arthur Ransome Society and at the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club where a number of the boats featured in the series were gathered for the occasion. Please click here to see more.
For those who don’t know the stories~
‘Coot Club’
Whilst travelling to Norfolk to stay on a boat with family friend Mrs Barrable, Dick and Dot Callum meet Tom Dudgeon and the members of Coot Club. After being told that they won’t be learning to sail, their disappointment quickly turns to excitement as an adventure begins to unfold. Will they be able to protect a precious coot’s nest whilst hiding Tom from the awful Hullabaloos, who are hell bent on ruining everyone’s holiday? Creator of Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes, stars as Jerry the Hullabaloo in this delightful film.
The Big Six
When Dick and Dot return to Norfolk to stay with Tom, they find themselves caught up in a brand new adventure. The Death And Glories are being accused of setting moored boats adrift but the three boys maintain their innocence. With the whole town against them, it’s up to Coot Club to gather evidence and prove that someone else is responsible for these crimes. The Big Six is born. Dr Who’s Colin Baker and Patrick Troughton star in this fitting adaptation of the classic story.
The yacht Lullaby playing the Teasel in ‘Coot Club’, seen here being delivered to location on South Walsham Broad
Sophie Neville 
Wonderful! I would love to get hold of a copy, but Amazon won’t deliver to Aus, it seems.
I’ll ask Revelations Films what can be done for you!
I could post you a copy to Australia! Do you really want one? They are £16 + pp. I’ll have one weighed when I next go to the post office.
There really is a worthwhile improvement in picture quality. I shall have to send for a copy!
I’ll send you a copy to review, Roger!
Thank you! That would be great! I have the commercial video to make a comparison.
I have asked Revelation Films to send to a review copy!
Sophie, I have just noticed on Amazon that Swallows and Amazons is being released on Blu-ray on July 14th!
Thanks so much for telling me! We were invited up to Convent Garden to record interviews for the extras package but I was sworn to secrecy, so haven’t announced anything yet. They have a restored cinema version. Do you want to request a cinema screening near you?
I would love to see it at the cinema.
Zavvi.com lists the extras:
Interviews with Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton and Virginia McKenna
Locations Featurette
Behind the Scenes Footage with Commentary from sophie neville
Stills Gallery
Trailer
Zawi.com I’d better check it out!
If you would like to organise a 40th Anniversary screening of ‘Swallows & Amazons’ at a cinema near you, I might be able to come and introduce it. Where do you live? We are organising one in Hastings on 20th July, one in Kendal, possibly one in Bristol and one at the BFI in London in July.
Great news about the upcoming S&A release! Looks like they have made an effort with the extras after all. I’m also tempted to acquire the new Coot Club/Big Six DVD, even though I already have the first release!
StudioCanal made a huge effort. The technicians drove up Bank Ground Farm to take some location shots and ended up going to Peel Island in a small boat in somewhat challenging conditions. They admitted to having a real S&A experience. I am longing to see the result!
This is a great series, a worthy companion to the 1974 ‘Swallows and Amazons’ film; particularly in this digitally restored edition.
There are cheaper DVD’s with an attractive cover but it is important to get the new digitally restored version from Revelation Film