Director: Claude Whatham
Starring: Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton and Virginia McKenna.
Running Time: 92 mins
Certificate: U
Adapted from the classic 1930’s novel by Arthur Ransome, SWALLOWS & AMAZONS celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, and what better way to commemorate this than by releasing it beautifully restored on Special Edition DVD and Blu-Ray, for older and younger generations to watch.
The film follows four children on holiday with their mother at the Lake District in 1929. For many parents today this would come as a shock, as the mother allows them to sail in the small boat ‘Swallow’, to a small island and camp for a few days. They eventually come to realise the island is someones territory, and meet two girls who both look like they stepped out from Wes Anderson’s film, THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU. The girls sail the ‘Amazon’ boat, and soon both groups set up a rivalry against each other for ownership of the island.
From the very beginning and throughout the film we get a real sense of adventure, especially with the many picturesque shots of the Lake District which gives the children endless opportunities of exploration. The Cinematography here is fluid so it gives off a sense of calm and relaxation – a holiday to be had until the Amazons appear. The film is also very 70s in style as you can imagine, with its unsteady zoom-ins, speeding up shots and inconsistent lighting. You can also appreciate and laugh at the lines the children use like “Hurrah for father!” and “He is a beast!”, which you could never imagine a young person saying today, so its very much of its time in a charming way.
The main downside to the film is that it refuses to come to life even when you expect it to. For example, when the two groups are ready to fight each other (with a knife!) when they first meet, they quickly descend on the floor to discuss a way of competing for the island. THE HUNGER GAMES has never seemed so peaceful. The characters aren’t that well developed but Roger the youngest brother, has the best lines with stating the obvious, like when he sees the Amazons he shouts in shock, “They’re girls!“. Overall, SWALLOWS & AMAZONS has great little funny moments and lovely visual use of setting. While nostalgia will draw adults to this film, children of today may not be able to identify with gutting fishes and hanging around a stranger in his house boat for cake and ice-cream!
[usr=3] AMAZONS & SWALLOWS is released on DVD and Blu-Ray 4th August.
