Sophie Neville

50th Anniversary of the film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ at Windermere Jetty in Cumbria

Saturday 29th June, 2024 – hosted by The Arthur Ransome Society

10.00am – The exhibition at Windermere Jetty opens. See Arthur Ransome’s dinghy Scarab, Swallow and Amazon from the 1974 film along with Titmouse from the BBC serial of Coot Club and other interesting boats.

There will be a display of 1974 movie memorabilia.

The Altounyan family hope to bring the original Amazon once called Mavis.

Enjoy the Swallows and Amazons lakeside camp and knot tying.

10.30am – Heritage boat trips on the steamboats Osprey and either Lady Elizabeth or Penelope who appeared in the Rio scenes. (This is at an extra cost)

10:30am – Film screening of Swallows and Amazons (1974)

11.00am onwards. Grab a chance to sail Amazon with an experienced skipper. Book with Sail Swallow and Amazon.

12:15am – Talk by Peter Wright on ‘How Ransome came to write Swallows and Amazons‘.

12:30pm – second showing of film Swallows and Amazons (1974)

Lunch at the Cafe on the lake where the Wooden Boat Regatta is gathering

2:15pm – Meet the cast, crew and screenwriter of Swallows and Amazons (1974) – introduced by John Sergeant, President of The Arthur Ransome Society. Do bring any books for signing. Simon West (John), Suzanna Hamilton (Susan), Sophie Neville (Titty), Kit Seymour (Nancy), Kerry Darbishire (Nurse) will be with Peter Robb-King (Make up designer), Daphne Neville (Chaperone) and others who worked on the film made in the summer of 1973.

3:00pm – Talk by Sophie Neville on ‘The making of Swallows and Amazons‘ featuring which scenes from the film were shot on Windermere.

4:00pm – The Boatband Concert

5:00 pm – final showing of film Swallows and Amazons (1974)

Strolling Singers will perform as and when the mood takes them

6:30pm Close

The film crew of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ wait with *Swallow* at the end of the jetty while Simon West, Suzanna Hamilton and Sophie Neville line up by the launch

Sunday 30th June, 2024 – hosted by The Arthur Ransome Society

10.00am – The exhibition at Windermere Jetty opens. See Arthur Ransome’s dinghy Scarab, Swallow and Amazon from the 1974 film along with Titmouse from the BBC serial of Coot Club.

The Altounyan family hope to bring the original Amazon once called Mavis.

There will be a display of 1974 movie memorabilia, a Swallows and Amazons camp and activities for children.

10.30am – Heritage boat trips on the steamboats Osprey and either Lady Elizabeth or Penelope who appeared in the Rio scenes. (This is at an extra cost)

10:30am – showing of film Swallows and Amazons (1974)

11.00am onwards. Grab a chance to sail Amazon with an experienced skipper. Book with Sail Swallow and Amazon.

12:15am – Meet the cast, crew and screenwriter of Swallows and Amazons (1974) – introduced by John Sergeant, President of The Arthur Ransome Society. Do bring any books for signing. Suzanna Hamilton (Susan), Sophie Neville (Titty), Kit Seymour (Nancy), Kerry Darbishire (Nurse) will be with Peter Robb-King (Make up designer), Daphne Neville (Chaperone) and others who worked on the film made in the summer of 1973.

1:00pm – Talk by Sophie Neville on ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons‘

1:45pm – Second second showing of film Swallows and Amazons (1974)

3:15pm – Talk Peter Wright on ‘How Ransome came to write Swallows and Amazons‘

4:00pm – The Boatband Concert

5:00pm close

Celebrating the life and work of Richard Pilbrow who produced the original movie ‘Swallows and Amazons’

Sophie Neville speaking about Richard Pilbrow at the National Theatre

I was invited to speak at the National Theatre by Fred Pilbrow who rehearsed the presentation at his studio in London.

He put together the most extraordinary celebration of the life and works of his father, Richard Pilbrow, who died recently at the age of ninety.

The most talented technicians in the theatre world gathered to speak on his life and works. A recording of the event has been made available on Youtube.

Sophie Neville speaks about making ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974) at 1.15.15

It was a fitting tribute to the man who lit up the lives of many and produced a movie that apparently has been broadcast on television more than any other British film and fifty years after the premier in Shaftesbury Avenue is streaming on Amazon today. Read more in ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’ now available on Audible.

Speaking about Richard Pilbrow at the National Theatre

Swallows and Amazons (1974)

Richard Pilbrow told me that the most difficult thing he ever had to do was to persuade Mrs Ransome to grant him the rights to make ‘Swallows and Amazons’ into a movie.

But he did. He found funding from EMI Films and asked Dame Virginia McKenna to play Mother.

Virginia McKenna at Bank Ground Farm in 1973 ~ photo: Daphne Neville

Neville Thompson put together a great crew

The Production Team on 'Swallows and Amazons' in 1973 — Second Assistant Terry Needham, Associate Producer Neville C Thompson and Production Manager Graham Ford with the unit motoroller on a sunny day in June 1973

with Denis Lewiston as DoP,

Dennis Lewiston, director of Photography on 'Swallows and Amazons' ~photo:Richard Pilbrow — Dennis Lewiston, director of Photography on ‘Swallows and Amazons’ ~photo:Richard Pilbrow

the Oscar winning set dresser Ian Whittaker,

The local fisherman, Ian Whittaker, Simon Holland and Gareth Tandy ~ photo: Daphne Neville

and the avant guard director Claude Whatham fresh from making ‘That’ll Be the Day’ with David Essex and Ringo Starr.

Claude Whatham with the children he eventually cast as the Swallows

Filming on location in the Lake District wasn’t easy.

Producer Richard Pilbrow with Neville C Thompson on Derwentwater in the Lake District in 1973 — Producer Richard Pilbrow and Production Associate Neville C Thompson on Derwentwater in the Lake District in 1973

How they lit the scenes on Peel Island I do not know.

Virginia McKenna with Sophie Neville in Swallows and Amazons — Dame Virginia McKenna as Mother with Sophie Neville as Titty Walker

It rained so hard that Simon Holland had to order black drapes from Pinewood Studios so they could shoot the night scenes in Mrs Batty’s dusty barn.

But the film worked because Richard had insisted that the children playing the lead characters could sail.

Filming Swallows and Amazons (1974) from a camera pontoon

The film didn’t make much at the box office but it worked well on television.

Sophie Neville as Titty Walker in Swallows and Amazons — Sophie Neville as Titty Walker in the ITV trailer for the movie of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ when it was first shown on television in 1977

I’m told it has been broadcast more than any other British Film. Having a U certificate it has allowed many parents a lie-in on Sunday mornings.

Swallows and Amazons 1974 - Simon West, Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton and Sten Grendon in Secret Harbour — Simon West, Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton and Sten Grendon in Secret Harbour

Families assure me that they have watched the VHS or DVD thirty times or more. StudioCanal remastered it for cinemascope Blu-ray and we filled the big northern cinemas.

Sophie Neville as Titty with Suzanna Hamilton as Susan — Sophie Neville with Suzanna Hamilton

The good news is that, fifty years after the premier in Shaftesbury Avenue,

Sophie Neville and Suzanna Hamilton with Ronald Fraser in Swallows and Amazons

we are restoring the dinghies: Swallow and Amazon for families to sail.

I wrote up the diary I kept on location as a twelve year-old. Richard sent me the flags.

At the 50th Anniversary celebrations this April a man in the audience stood up to say that as a young doctor, he was working at a hospital on Good Friday. As he walked around he found peace in every ward, sick children snuggled up and happy. They were all watching ‘Swallows and Amazons’ on television. Richard’s gift.

Swallows and Amazons (1974) sepia film poster (c) StudioCanal — Arnaldo Putzu’s poster for the EMI film Swallows and Amazons (1974)

Richard and Molly’s dream became an inspiration to many.

Here you can see Richard and Molly with Claude Whatham, Neville, Fred, Abigail, Suzanna Hamilton and me at the sailing audition held in Burnham-on- Crouch. Simon West who was cast as Captain John went on to win the Optimist British Championships and represented the UK overseas.

Richard and Molly Pilbrow, Claude Watham, Fred Pilbrow, Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton, Abigail Pilbrow

Writing the foreword to the well-loved novel ‘Swallowdale’ by Arthur Ransome

When Albatros Media in the Czech Republic re-published a hardback edition of ‘Swallowdale’ by Arthur Ransome, I was invited to write a foreword. This was for a special edition of the bestselling book illustrated by the great Czech artist Zdenek Burian.

The somewhat daunting task gave me the opportunity to recommend that readers book a holiday in Cumbria. It’s always exciting to find the actual locations described in a novel, particularly one you know well, although I believe finding Swallowdale is quite a challenge.

I was commissioned by Ondřej Müller, Fiction Program Director who had my words translated into Czech. Here is the English version:

Of all Arthur Ransome’s books, it was Swallowdale that inspired me to go camping. I have since pitched my tent all over the world from Papua New Guinea in the Pacific to Patagonia, which I crossed on horseback. I once spent six months driving down through Africa, sleeping in a tent and using all I had learnt from this beautifully written book. Not long after this expedition, I started to draw maps in the hope that I that might encourage others to travel and explore the world as the Swallows did.

Back in 1973 I had the great privilege of playing the part of Titty in the movie of ‘Swallows & Amazons’ that has been translated into Czech twice. Throughout my life I have received letters from people telling me how Arthur Ransome’s books have given them direction in life, encouraging them to set sail and explore unchartered waters.

If you ever visit the English Lake District take the charcoal burners’ advice and keep a good lookout for adders but in searching for Swallowdale one thing is for sure, you will be walking in Arthur Ransome’s footsteps. He was taken to the summit of Old Man Coniston, the mountain known in the book as Kanchenjunga, as a small baby and rowed into the secret harbour of Peel Island, or Wild Cat Island as the Swallows called it, when he was a boy.

The people of Cumbria still welcome visitors, indeed you can stay at the farm known as Holly Howe and it is possible to take a boat out on the lake below it. Coniston Water is not an exact replica of the map in the book, but you can enjoy looking for Horseshoe Cove and the Amazon boathouse. Rio can be found on Windermere where you might also find the Peak of Darien along with native steamers. Titty would encourage you to let your imagination take you further and I am sure Roger would suggest you take a fishing rod.

Even if travelling does not appeal to you, ‘Swallowdale’ is such a vivid story that you will sail back in time to 1931 quite effortlessly. This classic book is full of wonderful imagery from ‘black wretched thoughts…crowding in like cormorants coming to roost’, to potatoes being in bad mood. It is enjoyable on many levels. I laughed when Titty decided, ‘Miss Turner could hardly be dead if she was complaining of cold plates’ and was uplifted by her joy at discovering, ‘the most secret valley that ever there was in the world.’

I am so pleased that Albatros Media are able to bring you this beautifully illustrated edition, to read, enjoy and perhaps pass on to others.

If you are in North America and are looking for a copy of ‘Swallowdale’ in English, copies are on sale here for U$15.77 The illustrations are by Arthur Ransome himself.

Sophie Neville in Hampshire Life magazine

The April issue of Hampshire Life magazine has a four-page feature celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the release of the original movie ‘Swallows & Amazons’ (1974) in cinemas, which you can now read online here.

The link with Hampshire is that my father grew up in Lymington and learnt to sail on the Solent. I met my husband Simon at an archery match in Worcestershire and was amazed to hear he lived on the Lymington River. I came down to the South Coast just before we got engaged but didn’t move in until after we returned from our honeymoon in Spain.

I’ve lived in Hampshire for twenty years now, give talks at the Southampton Boat Show and meet the Nancy Blackett when she sails down to Buckler’s Hard on the Beaulieu River where my parents spent their honeymoon.

It feels odd being described as an actress, but it’s good to get a front page byline.

Great British Life have a Spring Offer for magazine subscriptions, which make a good present.

The books mentioned are for sale from the Nancy Blackett Trust and all the usual places online.

50 years ago – when the EMI film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974) was launched in cinemas

The original film ‘Swallows & Amazons’ was first screened at a preview in London on 31st March 1974.

Brian Doyle, the film publicist, noted it in his diary. This was sent to me by his daughter, Pandora Doyle, who was taken along with her mother Jo and friend Alison.

The cast of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ either joined them there or at an afternoon press screening on 2nd April. We certainly went to one preview. It utterly amazed us. We had not remembered the Lake District being so sunny.

The premiere was also held at the ABC cinema in Shaftesbury Avenue, London, at a Royal Gala Premier on 4th April 1974.

The film has since been dubbed into at least eight different languages and screened all over the world. A number of different titles have been used from ‘Svaler og Amasoner’ to ‘El Capitan Pirata’.

They do not provide a release date for the Czech Republic, but it has been dubbed into Czech twice and is popular there. You can easily buy copies of the French version

the cover of the French DVD of 'Swallows and Amazons'(1974) — Caught shrieking on the cover of the French DVD of ‘Swallows and Amazons'(1974)

It is now screening on Netflix Europe and Amazon Prime.

There was a big splash when ‘Swallows & Amazons’ was first screened in Gloucester. Sten Grendon, who appeared as the Boy Roger, and I were taught to swim at the leisure centre there. Chris Maloney, who was awarded an MBE for his part in founding the Special Olympics, began to coach me when I was ten. I’ve been told that he also taught Sophia Loren to swim for ‘The “Goodness Gracious Me” Heiress’.

As we lived locally, Sten and I were asked to attend the first screening at the newly converted triple screen ABC in Gloucester, which was daunting. They were also screening ‘The Sting’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ that both starred Robert Redford.

Chris Maloney later got Suzanna Hamilton and I jumping off the high board at Gloucester Leisure Centre. She was far braver than I.

You can read more in ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’ available in paperback from £15 or ‘The Secrets of Filming Swallows & Amazons’ an ebook for only £2.99

The Making of Swallows and Amazons by Sophie Neville — Different editions of ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’ by Sophie Neville

Photos from the 50th Anniversary celebration of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974) at the Cinema Museum on 6th April 2024

The Cinema Museum screening 'Swallows and Amazons' (1974) — Away to Rio

– ‘He must be a retired Pirate’ but what of the chances of finding Rio Cinema?

The Cinema Museum, London – not that we paid these prices to enter

Keen fans of Claude Whatham’s original film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ gathered at the Cinema Museum in London for the 50th Anniversary celebrations hosted by the writer and broadcaster Brian Sibley.

After doors opened at 1.00pm, delicious food and drink was served in the main hall where Hugh Grant held his 50th Birthday party. Charlie Chaplin had been housed there as a child. It had been the chapel of the workhouse where his mother had been sent with her offspring.

A collection of movie memorabilia now lines the walls. It’s in incredible place.

‘He said, – “Yes.”‘

Brian Sibley interviewed David Wood OBE, who at the age of twenty-nine had adapted Arthur Ransome’s book into a 90 minute screenplay under the iron fist of the widowed Mrs Ransome. Born in Russia, she had been Leo Trotsky’s private secretary and was a pretty formidable old lady.

Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton & Sten Grendon with David Wood and Claude Whatham in 1973

David told us that having taken the producer, Richard Pilbrow, and his associate Neville C Thompson around various Lake District locations, Evgenia Ransome declared she wanted the Swallows to all have blue eyes and blonde hair. I’d know that she wanted ‘And English rose’ to play Titty, but this was news to me.

Although David was well known for his starring role in the film ‘If….’ with Malcolm McDowell, ‘Swallows and Amazons’ was the first movie he wrote. He’s been too busy acting on stage to spend much time on location but entrusted the script changes to the director.

The film screening was heralded by a letter from Dame Virginia McKenna, which I was given the privilege of reading out.

Sophie Neville reading a greeting from Dame Virginia McKenna — Reading a letter of good wishes from Dame Virginia McKenna

‘It is almost impossible to believe that it is the 50^th Anniversary of ‘Swallows and Amazons’. I am really sorry I cannot be with you but I am here in spirit.

For anyone who feels downhearted by the troubles in our present-day world, there can be no better cure than to be here this afternoon watching this delightful film set in such beautiful scenery.

In a few moments you will be transported to an earlier time and a different place. You cannot but enjoy this very special film.’

We then watched StudioCanal’s remastered version of the movie on the big screen. The Lakeland mountains looked magnificent and the detail amazing. Gareth Tandy, who had worked on the crew as Third Assistant Director said, ‘I’d totally forgotten that I played one of the robbers!

After an intermission, I chatted to Peter Robb-King the Make Up Designer and met up with Cedric James who’s been on the camera crew.

The cast of 'Swallows and Amazons' (1974) gathered for the 50th Anniversary - photo Lee Pressman of the Cinema Museum — The cast of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974) gathered for the 50th Anniversary – photo Lee Pressman of the Cinema Museum

‘They’ve got India-rubber necks.’

Brian Sibley then interviewed the cast on how we’d got the parts, what impact the film had on our lives and what we’d spent our earnings on.

Brian Sibley, Simon West, Suzanna Hamilton, Sophie Neville, Sten Grendon, Kit Seymour and David Wood – photo: Lee Pressman

The answers proved hilarious. It was lovely to hear from Jane Grendon, Sten’s mum, who had travelled from Gloucestershire to be our official chaperone. She pointed out how very hard we had worked all that time ago.

Neville C Thomason’s daughter-in-law spoke and I displayed the flags that Richard Pilbrow had sent from America before he sadly passed away at the age of 90.

Simon West, Suzanna Hamilton, Sophie Neville, Sten Grendon, Kit Seymour, Jane Grendon, Peter Robb-King and David Wood – photo: Lee Pressman

There was then time for fans to get books, cards and film posters signed in the age-old tradition. Many thanks go to Brian, Lee Pressman and other volunteers of the Cinema Museum who made it all possible. It was an amazing day. One young fan had come dressed as Titty with a green parrot on her shoulder, there were a few diminutive Amazons in red hats and Neville Thompson’s great granddaughters arrived in very smart pirate jackets.

Perry Neville, who appears briefly in the Rio scene, with Sophie Neville and David Middleton of The Arthur Ransome Society

‘Farewell and Adieu.’

Don’t worry if you missed it! You can watch a recording of the Q&A here.

The cast and crew met up at Windermere Jetty in Cumbria on 29th and 30th June 2024, when Swallow and Amazon, the boats featured in the film could be seen as well as Mavis, who still belongs to the Altounyan family, and Arthur Ransome’s dinghy used as the model for Scrab. You can find details of events on this website here.

The Cinema Museum in London – once a workhouse where Charlie Chaplin lived

Celebrating 50th Anniversary of the EMI film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ at the Cinema Museum in London

Celebrating 50th Anniversary of the movie 'Swallows and Amazons' in 2024 — Celebrating 50th Anniversary of the movie ‘Swallows and Amazons’ in 2024

On Saturday 6th April there was be a 50th Anniversary screening of the original film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ followed by a Q&A with cast and crew hosted by Brian Sibley and the screenwriter David Wood at the Cinema Museum in London. More info and link to ticket sales here.

A train strike complicated plans for many ! but cast members Simon West (Captain John), Suzanna Hamilton (Mate Susan), Sten Grendon (Boy Roger) and Kit Seymour (Captain Nancy) managed to make it, along with Gareth Tandy, who worked on the crew as Third Assistant director, and Jane Grendon who was our chaperone.

Daphne Neville with Stephen Grendon, Suzanna Hamilton, Sophie Neville, Jane Grendon and Simon West

Cedric James who worked on the camera came along.

As did our Make Up Designer Peter Robb-King .

Sophie Neville being made up for the part of Titty by Peter Robb-King in 1973

I hoped Terry Needham, the Second Assistant might be able to make it but he is in New Zealand.

Sophie Neville with Terry Needham and the unit radio at Derwentwater ~ photo: Daphne Neville

It was packed with every seat sold – a tribute to all the others on the crew who have passed away.

The screening took place at the Cinema Museum, 2 Dugard Way (off Renfrew Road) Kennington, London SE11 4TH, a former workhouse where Charlie Chaplin once stayed.

Thanks go to David Wood for getting us all together.

Sophie Neville and David Wood appearing on CBBCTV

There will be other events around the country listed on this website here.

Sophie Neville interviewed in the Church Times this month

Writer Sophie Neville on the Solent — Sophie Neville on the Solent

As the 50th Anniversary of the original film Swallows and Amazons (1974) approaches, Terence MacMath interviewed me for the Church Times. You can read the article here It is free to read online this March.

My book on travelling around southern Africa, Ride the Wings of Morning, was reviewed here

The Church Times also reviewed Funnily Enough. It can be found here

Terence is interviewing Suzanna Hamilton next. We are being joined by Simon West, Sten Grendon and Kit Seymour to give a Q&A with Brian Sibley and David Wood before a big screen showing of Swallows and Amazons at the Cinema Museum on 6th April 2024 and will be going to the Swallows and Amazons Festival at Windermere Jetty on 29th and 30th June 2024.

Up to date information on forthcoming events can be found on the Events Page of this website here

Richard Briers as Arthur Ransome, giving us the background to ‘Swallows and Amazons’

‘Voyage of the Swallow’ – an excellent radio play

‘Why is it called Swallows and Amazons?’ and ‘Is Swallows and Amazons a true story?’ happen to be some of the frequent questions typed into the Google search engine. Some of the answers can be found in the radio play ‘Voyage of the Swallow’ starring Richard Briers as Arthur Ransome and Susannah York as his Russian wife, Evgenia.

Martin Neville aboard MV Tern on Windermere — Martin Neville looking remarkable like Richard Briers aboard MV Tern on Windermere

‘What kind of boat is in Swallows and Amazons?’ is another question, and ‘Was Tom Cruise filming in the Lake District?

‘The boat now known as Swallow I was owned by the Collingwood Family when they lived at Lane Head above Coniston Water in the early twentieth century . Dora and Barbara Collingwood taught Arthur Ransome to sail in her when he came to stay with them in the summer holidays. Swallow II was purchased by Dora’s husband Ernest Altouyan along with a similar dinghy they called Mavis. Both boats were brought up on a lorry from Barrow-in-Furness. The interesting question is how the Mavis became known as Amazon in the books. Did Ransome give her a new name because Evgenia, described as a ‘tall, jolly girl’ nearly six foot tall, had struck him as being Amazonian in nature?

Please leave any questions you might have in the Comments below.

You can find many of the answers in ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’ available Available direct from the publisher, on Amazon.co.uk + Amazon.com and other Amazon sites, from Waterstones, The Great British Bookshop, the Aldeburgh Bookshop and all good bookshops, suitable for all ages. Signed copies help raise funds for the Nancy Blackett Trust, who stock them in their online shop.