Swallows and Amazons series and observed, "It is the portrayal of this spirit which makes play a matter of desperate yet enjoyable earnestness which gives their distinctive stamp to Mr. Ransome's books. ... Because he understands the whole-heartedness of youth he can invest a momentary experiment, such as young Roger's Indian scout work, with real suspense." In 1963, the BBC screened a television series starring Susan George as 'Kitty' (changed from Titty), which was violently disliked by Arthur Ransome. The six-part series aired in September and October 1963. In 1974, EMI produced a film version of the "Swallows and Amazons", starring Virginia McKenna and
Swallows and Amazons series season, which is in term time. Also while the use of firearms is reasonable in the context of the plot it seems to be at odds with the more peaceful adventures of most of the rest of the series). The following diagram shows the implied timeline of the books in the series. S, A, and D represent the main protagonists, the Swallows, Amazons, and Dick/Dorothea, respectively. Current editions of the Swallows and Amazons series have illustrations which were drawn by Ransome himself. The first edition of "Swallows and Amazons" was published almost without illustrations. Ransome so disliked the pictures by