Posted by Lyn on April 03, 2006 at 03:27:12 from 207.200.116.66 user LynMellone.
Well, after much anticipation, I finally had an opportunity to watch the DVDs "Swallows and Amazons Forever: Coot Club" and "Big Six." Even with the few hints I've picked up during my short time here on the TARS pages, I was pretty well disappointed.
I can't imagine how these movies (originally made as a TV series, I know) would be enjoyed by anyone who didn't know the stories in advance and who wouldn't simply be satisfied to see an attempt made to put them on film.
The casting wasn't too bad, although Dr. Dudgeon was nothing like I'd pictured him. But the scripts! How could anyone who didn't already know the plot have possibly followed it all? Much less have caught the lines that are authentic from the books and have understood their context? I admit to also having the unfortunate handicap of being an American and therefore being unfamiliar with hearing British English. That difficulty was compounded when often the volume of the sound seemed to virtually disappear - and of course, no subtitles available!
On the positive side, I was really glad to see boats that (I assume) were the same type that AR drew and described. Seeing them on screen helped me - virtually a non-sailor - to understand what he had intended. Also delightful were the glimpses of the broads. At least, I hope that the locations were generally accurate and/or portrayed accurately?
I fully intend to re-watch these two DVDs, but I'm hoping for a few pointers before I do, so that I can watch for some things that you all would suggest are worthwhile noticing.