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Re: 1963 BBC Swallows and Amazons series


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Posted by Owen Roberts on June 11, 2015 at 12:47:11 user OwenRoberts.

In Reply to: Re: 1963 BBC Swallows and Amazons series posted by Roger Wardale on June 11, 2015 at 06:20:28:

I vaguely remember Peter Roach writing that he had contacted the BBC and their copy was on film stock in very poor condition and unplayable.
I think Peter obtained a reel of 1 of the 6 episodes from a cast member perhaps Susan George who played Titty/Kitty. Again this was almost unviewable.

In the 1960s the episodes would have been shot on cellulose triacetate film being cheaper than the latest polyester film. Cellulose triacetate will begin to deteriorate after about 15 years without the right storage conditions (below freezing).
The decay is characterised by a strong smell of vinegar when the film can is opened.

Acetate decay is extremely difficult if not impossible to reverse as it involves the film base shrinking in all directions with loss of flexibility. The emulsion cracking and eventually flaking off. Finally white powder appearing along the edges and surface of the film. All this may be exacerbated by the presence of a magnetic film stripe.

From what has been said before, it would appear that this film is in this condition and very unlikely that the whole 6 episodes could be recovered. Perhaps snippets may be recoverable, but this alone would cost money and I doubt the BBC would fund anything in competition with a new film.



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