Posted by Stuart Wier on May 27, 1998 at 17:31:50:
Scuttlebutt on this side of the pond is that there are plans afoot
by the BBC to film an Arthur Ransome program (possibly even a programme)
soon. Anyone have further reports?
Let me be the first to advocate making exact replicas of the "Swallow"
and the "Amazon" as part of the activities. Maybe to sail with
the "Nancy Blackett," as well as on the Lakes. How better to show
what the books are really about?
The BBC would not use a substitute if doing a documentary about, say,
early British aviation. I can't see them showing an early aircraft
while saying "The first British aviator flew in a plane something like
this one... It's not really the same but no one will know the
difference." So are they going to show boats on the Lakes
and say "Arthur Ransome's famous boating stories are centered
around adventures using boats that are something like these"?
The BBC is famous for accuracy. They stop filming if the button
on the butler's coat is incorrect. Surely they will use the
right sort of boats, the boats Ransome knew and loved, not some
substitute.
The BBC has the resources to have proper replicas made. A new "Swallow"
and a new "Amazon" could the center for further promotion
and enjoyment of the Ransome stories. The famous boat
race could be run for the first time in 68 years.
Let's all put in our oar for new good old boats!
Stuart Wier