I wanted to thank all those who have sent letters and emails about ‘The Secrets of Making Swallows & Amazons’. These have come in from around the world. Many people have taken the time and trouble to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads, which is hugely appreciated.
I have been asked to write about other classic dramas I’ve been involved with but before I move on, I thought I could post some of the feedback and comments that have come in:
‘It’s my favourite book!’ a little girl said on spotting ‘The Making of Swallows & Amazons’ on sale at Brantwood
‘It’s wonderful! (almost as great as reading the original book) Carl – USA
“Thank you” for writing that marvellous book, “Secrets of filming Swallows & Amazons”. I purchased it on my Kindle from Amazon thinking it would be my “summer holiday” read – but was truly unable to put it down so it only lasted a day or so! As a devoted Arthur Ransome fan (and proud dad to two daughters – 13 and 10 – who love the books and film also) your words really brought the film to life. Such wonderful stories in the book. How I wish that Claude had also made ‘Pigeon Post’ with the same cast! There are few films (and books) that evoke childhood in this way. ‘Swallows & Amazons’ will always take me back to being ten years old, and your film was one of the truly rare occasions when a film adaptation did justice to the book. I guess it’s because everyone involved truly loved the story – it shows. Thank you again for sharing those few weeks in 1973.’ Paul –
To read his review please click here.
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‘…I loved the movie when I was young. I only saw it once but was given the LP by my Godmother and played it — on my parents’ radiogram — until I knew it by heart. When I took my own children to see the movie (in the Aldeburgh Cinema a few years ago) I was still word perfect, much to their embarrassment! We now have the DVD and it was the movie of choice for my children a couple of summers ago so they are now pretty word perfect too! It’s great that the old film is going to be re-released at the same time as the new is coming out, though we are looking forward to that too.’ Lucy
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I’ve just read this delightful ebook – thank you so much for writing it! …Many thanks again for giving me such a delightful film to immerse myself in as a child.’ Helena
I have just finished reading ‘The Making of Swallows & Amazons’. Apart from your wonderful narrative, what a task you undertook, I especially enjoyed reading all the amazing credits you’d researched on the film makers! John
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Although you were not involved in Tom’s Midnight Garden, I think you will find it repays research, especially as it is one of the great novels (whether adults or children’s) of the last century; and if there were a tie for first place in respect of a children’s novel, one between Tom’s Midnight Garden and Swallows and Amazons would probably emerge…
I wonder if they study it on the Open University Children’s Literature course. They ahve S&A on the syllabus.