Posted by John Lambert on November 09, 2001 at 01:16:42 from 206.172.95.52:
In Reply to: Photo's from August Bank Holiday @ Bank Ground posted by James E on November 08, 2001 at 17:37:09:
I have sometimes wondered what the cost would be to make a
really first-class movie of S & A, SD and the rest. What I was thinking
of would probably be a series because I would include closeups to
illustrate the Walkers and Blacket's thoughts, i.e. Titty's feelings
when Mother rows away leaving her alone on the island. Since the
stories develop in such a lovely part of the world, scenic shots would
be very important. I have seen the S & A video, but it struck me it was
very short so as to fit into the usual 90 minute format. Suppose,just
suppose, some film-maker with a huge budget and access to the best
child actors should decide to make a long, leisurely movie...
The reason this will never happen is that there are simply not enough
people around the world who share our love of AR's novels. The producer
would never be able to make a profit.
But, looking at James Elson's pictures of the TARS at Bank Ground the
idea occurred to me that still pictures might be an answer. Six
children the right age could act out certain scenes for still shots
which could be posted on the Web, perhaps even with a narrator reading
the appropriate passage from the novels. For example, the Swallows first
meeting with the Amazons, John's attempt to explain the fireworks to
Captain Flint, Titty watching the dipper alone on the island, John's
swim around the island, etc. This would not require the huge financial
outlay of a movie, but would be within the reach of anyone with a
digital camera and access to six youngsters resembling the Swallows
and Amazons. Perhaps TARS could arrange a contest with the best
pictures winning some sort of prize. The venue wouldn't even have to be
the Lake District; there are other lakes in many parts of the world that
could serve as stand-ins. It would be a problem to find replicas of
the boats, of course, but not impossible. For those with no access to
a houseboat of the right kind, the photographer could shoot his scene
showing only part of it. The important point in this picture should be
John's embarrassment at being scolded by Captain Flint. It seems to me
there is a tremendous range of possible shots that could be made fairly
easily. If the young actors love the novels too, so much the better.
Amateur photographers could also show how they think the actors
should look - including the elusive Captain Flint.