In 1973, I produced a feature film of the cherished children’s books “Swallows and Amazons.” It was a life-changing experience . . . except I didn’t change my life, but went on designing lighting and theatres. My mentor, veteran producer, Harry Benn, thought I was crazy.

Now forty years later, young Titty, grown up as Sophie Neville, (one of my stars) has written a great book of her recollections: “The Secrets of Filming SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS,” available from Amazon for Kindle. It’s smashing fun. Do try it.

And the film is still often shown on British TV at Christmas and Easter time.

And even better, StudioCanal the present distributors, have just issued a new and digitally enhanced version of the film. It always did look marvellous, thanks to Denis Lewiston’s brilliant cinematography against all the odds of an average English summer, but now it glows with a new beauty . . . worth another look for a new generation of classic film lovers.