ONE of the stars of the original Swallows and Amazons movie will be introducing the newly digitally remastered film at a special showing next month.

The 1973 film, set in the Lake District, was adapted from Arthur Ransome’s famous book.

And to tie in, actress Sophie Neville, who played Titty, will introduce the film, hold a question and answer session and reveal how the film was shot.

Sophie will be at screenings at Zeffirellis, Ambleside, on August 6, and Kendal Brewery Arts Centre on August 7.

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Although Sophie will not attend, the film will also be shown at the Royalty Cinema, Bowness, and Ulverston’s Roxy Cinema on August 3, 6 and 7.

Meanwhile, Sophie’s book The Making of Swallows and Amazons will be published on August 18, illustrated throughout with snapshots taken by Sophie’s mother and father during filming, together with many of the official film stills.

Sophie herself has also drawn several illustrated maps of the filming locations in the Lake District.

Set in the 1920s, Swallows and Amazons follows Titty and her three siblings Susan, John and Roger, played by Simon West, Suzanna Hamilton and Stephen Grendon.

They are on a summer holiday with their mother, who was played by Born Free actress Virginia McKenna.

During the trip the Walker children are given permission to sail Swallow to nearby Wild Cat island to set up camp.

However, what the children do not know is that two rival girls and their boat the Amazon have already claimed the island as their own.

Sophie went on to work as a television director, a horseback safari guide and a wildlife artist based in southern Africa.

She is now back in the UK working on true-life stories and fundraising for Christian charities.

Her first published memoir Funnily Enough won third prize in the International Rubery Book Awards 2013.

Sophie is an active member of the Nancy Blackett Trust and president of The Arthur Ransome Society.

She now part owns the original Swallow, and regularly gives talks on making the film and how Arthur Ransome influenced her life.

The publication of The Making of Swallows and Amazons coincides with the 40th anniversary of the film’s original release.

A special edition DVD of Swallows and Amazons is also released in August.