Anita Bensoussane wrote:An interesting blog post, Chrissie. I read Treasure at the Mill in my thirties and enjoyed it, though I'm afraid I can't remember much about it now. My copy, like John's, is the Armada paperback. I've never seen the film.
Anita, what I like about Saville's book (other than the really good plot) are the illustrations throughout the book and in the front before chapter 1 where you can see all details of the mill interior.
The CFF film is available on DVD together with "Trouble at Townsend" which is also based on Malcolm Saville.
The bonus material of "Treasure" is very fascinating as the oldest of the child actors, Merrilyn Pettit, who lived at Spring Valley Mill in Ardleigh near Colchester with her family returns for the interview to the mill and talks to the present owner of the mill who is very nice.
BTW Richard Palmer who also plays Julian in "Five on a Treasure Island" (1955) (CFF) plays the major part in "Treasure at the Mill". There is a very good baddie as well.
Petula Clark was about 13 or 14 when she did get the role in "Trouble at Townsend". I seem to remember that either Malcolm Saville's son (?) or the son of the farm owner where "Trouble " was filmed talks about the making of the movie. It's been a year since I re-watched it the last time.
"Treasure" is definitely one of my favorite CFF films together with FOATI. "Trouble" is nice, too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Treasure-and-T ... t+the+mill" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enid-Blytons-F ... ure+island" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;