Swallows And Amazons
Director: Philippa Lowthorpe
Stars: Kelly Macdonald, Andrew Scott, Rafe Spall
Duration: 97 mins
Class: U
KRS Releasing Ltd

In one of those weird coincidences that occasionally occur, a couple of days before I watched Swallows and Amazons, I experienced a fit of nostalgia (brought on by who-knows-what) and reminisced about the myriad Enid Blyton books I read as a child, books which always fired up my imagination.

Among my favourites were the adventures of the Famous Five and the shenanigans they got up to, oftentimes on Kirrin Island.

The film Swallows and Amazons, based on the series of children’s books by British author Arthur Ransome, comes from the same pedigree – with the clutch of children at its centre and the various adventures they get up to during school holidays.

It is the summer of 1935, and the four Walker children John, Susan, Tatty and Roger (Dane Hughes, Orla Hill, Teddie Rose Malleson-Allen and Bobby McCulloch) with mother (Kelly McDonald) and baby Vicky in tow, head off to the Lake District for the summer holidays, while their sea captain father is away on a mission in the South China Seas.

Seeking adventure, the Walker children obtain permission to set off on an expedition in their rowing boat, named Swallow, to the remote island in the middle of the lake.

But soon, they find themselves at war with the Blackett siblings (Seren Hawkes and Hannah Jayne Thorp), aka The Amazons, for ‘ownership’ of the island.

Yet, the presence of two suspicious-looking men (Andrew Scott and Dan Skinner) who are tailing the mysterious and taciturn local travel writer Jim Turner (Rafe Spall) bring the warring factions together to investigate this unexpected intrigue.

It is difficult to gauge what today’s audiences will make of this film adaptation

It couldn’t be more Famous Five if it tried – there’s an island, there are adventures, there are picnics and mystery (but no dog) – although it must be said that the novels by Ransome were published a good few years before Blyton’s quintet made their debut.

While both authors still enjoy healthy sale numbers nowadays, it is difficult to gauge what today’s audiences will make of this film adaptation. While the very small ones will be enthralled by the adventure that unfolds onscreen, older children and teens who are definitely used to more complex storylines characters with more edge, and frankly more action and danger overall and may not appreciate its throwback to a time of such wholesomeness.

Those of a slightly older bent on the other hand may look on it with some nostalgia. It must be said that similarly to current release Pete’s Dragon, Swallows and Amazons evokes a certain melancholy with the unabashed innocence of its depiction of a time when young children were allowed to go on a lake sailing and camping on their own with no worry in the world, enjoying a real adventure in the outdoors with only nature providing their toys and games. There is no single special effect to speak of.

It is certainly awfully twee, yet never irritatingly so. Its charm is undeniable. And that it unfolds against the lush green and picturesque surroundings of the Lake District adds to its appeal.

Moreover, director Philippa Lowthorpe and her production team have certainly nailed the atmosphere of optimism and peace that reigned so briefly during the inter-war period. Yet, it must be said that despite the authentic feeling and the derring-do, the presence of Russian spies, guns, knives, secret documents, kidnappings and the train and plane stunts, there is seldom any sense of true peril.

The characters are also slightly thinly-sketched. Yet, the young actors – many of them unknown – are so natural and unassuming in their portrayals they make up for the bland characteristics they may have been saddled with.

Standouts include the young Malleson-Allen as the humorous, inquisitive and resourceful Tatty and Seren Hawkes as the older tougher Blackett sister.

The adult actors gamely play along, with Kelly McDonald a kind, understanding Mrs Walker, Rafe Spall adding suitable mystery to his ‘travel writer’ and Andrew Scott eschewing panto villain-esque sneering as one half of the baddies.

Jonas Hill and Miles Teller in War Dogs.

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Together, they exploit a government initiative that allows businesses to bid on US military contracts. Starting small allows the duo to rake in money and live the high life. They soon find themselves in over their heads after landing a $300 million deal to supply Afghan forces, a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people.