Swallows and Amazons {2016 film adaptation}

I know there are some amazing and hotly anticipated films coming out this summer; think Finding Dory, Ghostbusters and The BFG. So I was pretty excited to learn about the new adaptation of Swallows and Amazons, the classic children’s story by Arthur Ransome, was being updated for the big screen. This morning we were invited along to watch it before it is released on 19th August.

Swallows and Amazon is a classic, I read the book when I was a child and longed for the same adventures as John, Susan, Titty and Roger Walker. There has been one adaptation, back in 1974, so I think that a remake has been long overdue.

What’s it all about? Well, four children dream of escaping the tedium of a summer holiday with their mother. When finally given permission to camp on their own on an island in the middle of a vast lake, they are overjoyed. But when they get there they discover they may not be alone… The battle for ownership of a lonely island teaches them the skills of survival, the value of friendship and the importance of holding your nerve.

Take a look at the official trailer here:

Before the film the children were invited to have their faces painted, take part in some crafts, watch balloon parrots being made, as well as meet a real parrot, all of which they loved.

We love watching films and this is a beautiful adaptation of the book. I’m sure you’ve heard there have been some changes. Small ones, like changing the name Titty to Tatty. Bigger changes, like the addition of Russian spies. I can’t remember the finer details of the original story but everything else seemed to be there.

I hadn’t heard of any of the child actors but there are plenty of famous faces, including Andrew Scott (Moriarty in Sherlock), Rafe Spall, Kelly Macdonald, Jessica Hynes and Harry Enfield. My 4 and 6 year old loved the film, anything with pirates will be a hit with them, but I like to think the themes of adventure, friendship and fun resonated with them too.

Swallows and Amazons is released on August 19th and is sure to be hugely popular with families of all ages.