Swallows and Amazons

[stuartboy]

Don't even get me started on Tittygate! How preposterous!
This should, however not have been titled Swallows And Amazons at all as it bears so little resemblance to either the original book or for that matter the original movie. I mean what the bloody hell was Moriarty doing in it? And as for running across the top of a moving steam train??? And sea planes? If you happened to miss the titles of this film you'd be forgiven for thinking you were watching a completely different film. James Bond perhaps?
Having said that, I adored the film for what it was, and the scenery was exactly as you'd expect it to be - Gold medal. If I had to fault this film as a stand alone story, perhaps retitled, it would be that it was far too short and rushed. This could easily have stretched to a several episode television miniseries and allowed so much more development of characters and story.
The young actors did extremely well and they simply became the Walker children. The Blackett children were a little too wooden though. I did find John a little too mature for how I imagined him to be, particularly as he appeared to be a very similar age to his mother! Not quite sure what the point of her having a Scottish accent was either.
The book was written in 1929 so no idea why it was labelled as being in 1935.

Exquisite to look at. Completely different story. Too rushed. Otherwise loved it.

Btw - best line goes to the parrot:

"Somebody has turned me into a parrot!"

8/10

Forgot to mention Kevin The Teenager! How old does he look in this? Can't believe he's the same person. He looks older than his dad!

[scootermcc]

Apparently the screenwriter changed the name to Tatty as the original character in Arthur Ransome's novel got her nickname Titty from a story called Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse.

It would seem that in a modern PC world you can't call a character Titty.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-enter ... 44322.html

[stuartboy]

In actual fact the name was also changed as far back as 1963 for a TV adaptation. It was changed to Kitty then. So things don't change with time as dramatically as one might think.

[Valdez2032]

The name change was a very minor point. The film still had the look and feel of an old style adventure for children. It was gently paced and actually quite absorbing.

[raj101]

though every minor change adds up over the years. Come 2040 we might be watching the remake called Puffins and Sparrows.

[The Sparrow]

though every minor change adds up over the years. Come 2040 we might be watching the remake called Puffins and Sparrows.

Puffins are some of my best friends.

[bevvy]

though every minor change adds up over the years. Come 2040 we might be watching the remake called Puffins and Sparrows.

Or even Pidgeys and Spearows!

[fillumboy2]

"Five Go Mad In Dorset" meets "The 39 Steps".

A real parson's egg. Really enjoyed some parts, yet at times it was like the local am dram.

[mhatton131]

A Swallow and Amazon's lifelong fan but I really enjoyed the latest film - beautifully filmed and very watchable.

[McG]

Saw this in Braehead today as it is now only screening once per day and I didn't want to miss seeing it. Film was showing in a small screening room which was full of families . . .and me! I don't recall reading the book as a child even though I was a voracious reader as a child. What a lovely film . . . a real old fashioned children's adventure story . . . beautifully shot and the children were fab in their roles. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Marks 8/10