Posted by Owen Roberts on August 18, 2015 at 17:20:37 user OwenRoberts.
In Reply to: Re: SA Filming pics posted by Adam Quinan on August 18, 2015 at 07:22:26:
I remember speaking to Michael Powell, a noted film director – who was an old boy of the school and had agreed to speak to the film society.
I asked him “why are so many films unlike the books from which they were based”?
His reply was “if the film was an exact replica of the book, the potential audience would be cut down; it generates interest if critics and audiences discuss the differences between film and book”
This is what we have done as TarBoarders and we haven’t even seen the film yet!.
On a slightly different tack, I remember discussing the 1963 series with the late Peter Hodges, a member of TARS and frequent contributor to their magazine. He remembered seeing most of the series whilst he was on a RN Gunnery course at Whale Island, he was convalescing having lost fingers in the breech of a gun.
He remembered the series as being reasonably accurate as regards the book – those in the wardroom watched the sailing through RN eyes and thought it was competent. Overall he preferred it to the 1974 film. Perhaps from the surviving clips, the accents seem a little fruity – however I do recall some people in the 1950’s speaking in this manner.
Unfortunately the answer lies in decomposing nitrate film in the BBC archives – unless it has been destroyed. With the forthcoming film, I very much doubt if they would want to attempt restoration. Six episodes of 25 minutes duration would probably cost around £100,000 to restore if the film has not completely decomposed
Post a followup (Only if you agree to the Terms and Conditions)