Classic films Riddle of the Sands (1979) and Swallows and Amazons (1974) are both showing at this weekend’s Maritime Film Festival in Woodbridge, with introductory talks by the former’s producer Drummond Challis and the Nancy Blackett Blackett Trust’s President Peter Willis.

Nine unmissable boat-related films are being shown over the Festival’s three days, which is being staged to raise funds for the Woodbridge Riverside Trust and our friends at the Woolverstone Project for disabled sailing.

Peter Willis’ introductory talk will focus on Arthur Ransome and the story behind Swallows and Amazons, while the highlight of the Festival is the showing of Riddle of the Sands, including a rare and riveting talk by its producer Drummond Challis. The story of the making of this film is almost as dramatic as as the film itself, a classic labour of love with numerous obstacles to overcome. The original book by Erskine Childers was a favourite of Arthur Ransome and included in Captain Flint’s houseboat library in Swallows and Amazons.

Riddle of the Sands is showing on January 17th at 5pm, while Swallows and Amazons is showing on January 19th at 1:30pm. Full details of the Maritime Film Festival may be found on its website.