Posted by Jock on November 10, 2021 at 10:49:15 user Jock.
In Reply to: Re: 2016 film of Swallows and Amazons on NZ TV posted by John Nichols on November 06, 2021 at 07:37:43:
I think you have to look at the 2016 movie as a cross between Ransome and Buchan, then it is pretty good as a ripping yarn.
Nooooo!
Buchan stories have proper dramatic arcs. They are page turners impossible to put down. Characters have backbone.
Children tackle villains who cower in terror. In the 2016 film, John cowers in terror and, after waving it about lamely,
hands the gun over to the baddies.
Once upon a time, the BBC made good children's films. In 1977, BBC Scotland made a Buchan series, "Hunting Tower",
which was shown as a children's afternoon show, then after public pressure it was shown on a Sunday afternoon, then
after more pressure shown in a prime time Thursday night adult slot.
A gang of armed communist invaders is first delayed by a shower of marbles fired by the young heroes from their catapults,
and then delayed by a volley of cricket balls. Can you imagine the BBC's H&S bods allowing any such antics today?
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