A few nights back, feeling the need to get my brain some vacation – because you can’t spend days on end either writing or reading to check out facts about what you’re writing – I took two hours off and I watched The Riddle of the Sands, a British 1979 movie starring Michael York (that also had a hand in the production), the always lovely Jenny Agutter and Simon MacCorkindale.

The movie is based on Erskine Childers‘ novel of the same title, which is considered by many the forefather of all modern spy thrillers.
I was talking about it a few days back with some online friends, and decided to check it out.

Today, with its plot about a German plan for the invasion of Britain with spike-helmeted troops, the movie feels somewhat steampunk-ish.
It is beautifully photographed in the very scenic Frisian Islands, and it is well worth the time spent watching it.
An added bonus is the fact that the movie plays the vaguely preposterous premise with a straight face – this is a serious spy story.
There are some tongue in cheek elements (such as the scene between Carruthers and his butler), but they are played with a very light touch.
Nice little movie, in other words.
And it can be found on Youtube, if you’re interested.

Here’s the first fifteen minutes, that might be enough for you to appreciate the quality of this old movie.

The original Erskine Childers novel, now… I read when I was in my first year at university, having found a cheap Wordsworth Edition, I think, in a bookshop by the university.
The story was published in 1903¹ and is part of that series of “politically loaded” books that supposedly wanted to underscore how Britain was unprepared against the menace of war and invasion from other countries – especially Germany.
So in a certain sense Erskine Childers was one of the authors that contributed to the mindset leading to the Great war.
It is a weird thought.
On the other hand, the book is quite fun, and it is detailed to the excess when it comes to matters like sailing and seamanship, and the landscape and nature of the Frisian Islands.
It is considered a classic of the genre, and it has been reprinted in a number of editions.
Interested parties can download a free ebook version from the pages of the Gutenberg Project.
It starts somewhat slow – and in this sense the movie plays the opening in a much more intriguing way – but it is a good diversion and a nice read.