Sophie Neville, who played Titty Walker in the original Swallows and Amazons film (currently on the BBC), presents a selection of viewer letters and quotations received following the TV broadcast this April, together with some more behind-the-scenes photos of the film…

I have just been watching on BBC catch-up, the famous and wonderfully entertaining film ‘Swallows and Amazons’. As a 12 year old boy in 1974, my little brother and I were taken to watch the James Bond film ‘Live and Let Die’ in Coulsdon. As we sat down to watch it we found ourselves sat at the wrong place. We were so upset! When the film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ started playing we totally forgot about 007 and found ourselves glued to the screen watching this wonderfully entertaining film. In short, even at 58 years of age I still enjoy this beautiful film about four children and their adventures. – George

My best lockdown viewing so far has been the 1974 film version of Arthur Ransome’s ‘Swallows and Amazons‘. Reliving the joy of discovering those books, and remembering the freedom of grubbing about in the wildness… – Judy Darley

Never read Arthur Ransome’s ‘Swallows & Amazons’ or seen an adaptation until yesterday. What a delight the 1974 film was. Captured the spirit of childhood adventure so charmingly. Didn’t stop smiling for a moment during the whole thing. – David Rattigan

Watching the original ‘Swallows and Amazons’ with daughter. Get to the “better drowned than duffers, if not duffers won’t drown” telegram and daughter remarks: “I see. So their dad’s gone mad and is writing gibberish.” Patrick Kidd – Times Diaryist 

Ooh. The original ‘Swallows and Amazons’ has come onto Amazon Prime. The one with Titty. The real one. The only one.

Best children’s film ever made. Perfect lockdown viewing – Tim Bonner

The Making of Swallows and Amazons (1974) by Sophie Neville. (Click to enlarge)

Now do these…

• For homeschooling ideas relating to the films, such as watching the DVD in French, please click here.
• The original Swallows and Amazons film is available on BBC iPlayer until 16th May 2020.
• The remastered DVD of the film is available from Amazon.
• Sophie Neville’s book about The Making of Swallows and Amazons is available from our Nancy Blackett shop, while you can read the first section for free in the preview here.

The original version of this story was published by Sophie Neville in May 2020.