I am surprised that this movie hasn't been seen for years. I first saw it on American PBS during the early 1980's, and I have not seen or heard of it since. It is a poignant love story and touches on several historical themes that were not greatly discussed in mainstream circles. They include interracial/inter-cultural marriage, the position of women of African descent in Western civilization, and the ties that bind people of dissimilar backgrounds within the context of a racist society, to name a few. It's hard to believe that there are so few comments about this film, for though it is fictional (I assume), it deals with an aspect of history known to few. I'd like to obtain a copy of it for my own collection.
7 Reviews
Incredible how it's so unknown - am I alone in loving it ?
nicholas.rhodes26 June 2004
I saw and recorded this film many years ago off the French TV and would dearly like to have it on DVD so as to have the original English audio as I cordially detest films dubbed into foreign languages ! Unfortunately, the film seems to be unknown on all counts, indeed I have not till now found any other commentary in IMDB about it !! Set in beautiful Dorset ( England ), it is about a sailor in the 19th century who returns home to his village from travels accross the world accompanied by his beautiful African wife. The sight of a black person at that time in a Dorset village was obviously something of a novelty and engenders both love and hate according to which villager we are talking about. Beautifully filmed, a tearful and very emotional story. It deserves to be more publicized and re-born on DVD for the good of all !
wonderful heartfelt moving period film
helenkeegan0627 September 2006
I have been searching for many years to get hold of this film,either on DVD or video.This film was partly made in my home village of Upper Slaughter in the Cotswolds.I was an extra in the film along with my sister,mother,aunties,and many local friends.I am now 33 years old with two lovely daughters,so I am desperate to get a copy of the film to show them.As like the comment above, I also was an extra in the film Joseph Andrews,which was also filmed in the village.I really don't know any other way to get a copy of sailors return, so anyone who could help me would be fantastic.It is a lovely film.The village of Upper Slaughter means so much to me,I was born here and have now married and remain in the village.Anyone who watches this film would enjoy it,its quite sad in parts but is a lovely heartwarming film.
DVD release
david-79-8954412 June 2011
The previous reviewers who are eager to obtain "The Sailor's Return" on DVD may be interested to know that it has in fact been available on DVD in the UK since 2009. It is one of ten titles which were originally made by Euston Films included in the five DVD collection "Armchair Cinema".
Released by Network, it is readily available at all online retailers or direct from Network. The other nine films in this set, mainly from the 1970s, are also well worth seeing and include everything from police drama (The Sweeney pilot "Regan") to romance to spy thriller. The only downside is that they were shot on 16mm film meaning the picture and sound quality leave something to be desired. So although not technically up to today's standards the collection certainly deserves viewing.
Released by Network, it is readily available at all online retailers or direct from Network. The other nine films in this set, mainly from the 1970s, are also well worth seeing and include everything from police drama (The Sweeney pilot "Regan") to romance to spy thriller. The only downside is that they were shot on 16mm film meaning the picture and sound quality leave something to be desired. So although not technically up to today's standards the collection certainly deserves viewing.
about film location
aturnerjones6 August 2006
this film was filmed in the village i was living in the cotswolds called upper slaughter i was a extra in it,and am looking for a copy of this film for myself without success for many years.my brother and i are clearly seen in this film many times although kids at the time so if anybody knows where a copy is available please let me know This village was used for another film earlier called Joseph Andrews it starred beryl Reid i was a extra in that too but never seen this as it was an over 18 and i was about 7 at the time.The village had all its electric cables put underground for the films.there was a lot of villagers in the film as they took over the school as a makeup room .
Sailors Return
brownhill-903-95009621 November 2010
I cannot review or vote for this film as, like the other people, I cannot obtain a copy of the film!!
I knew the Sailors Return at Chaldon Herring well in the early 1960s and my mother knew it in the 1930s when members of the Chaldon Powis Literary group lived in the village. David Garrett, member of the Bloomsbury Group and author of The Sailor's Return, was a frequent visitor to Chaldon and wrote the book using the name of the local pub and wove in stories he heard when staying in the village.
I too would love to have a copy of the film.
Yoland Brown
I knew the Sailors Return at Chaldon Herring well in the early 1960s and my mother knew it in the 1930s when members of the Chaldon Powis Literary group lived in the village. David Garrett, member of the Bloomsbury Group and author of The Sailor's Return, was a frequent visitor to Chaldon and wrote the book using the name of the local pub and wove in stories he heard when staying in the village.
I too would love to have a copy of the film.
Yoland Brown
Memories
fourthinline-1873414 November 2022
I was a student at the school which was used for make-up and wardrobe.
All us kids at the school were extras.
There are a few shots of me, one in particular stood in a field watching the horse and cart up on the hill.
Probably the only time in my life to wear a dress 😄.
The other film that was done in the area was Joseph Andrews.
My dad was an extra in that as well as my sister and I.
I lived at Eyford Park.
My mum worked for Sir Cyril and lady kleinwort and we lived above the stable yard.
Fabulous memories growing up there, with our ponies.
I was sad to leave when we moved down to Devon..
All us kids at the school were extras.
There are a few shots of me, one in particular stood in a field watching the horse and cart up on the hill.
Probably the only time in my life to wear a dress 😄.
The other film that was done in the area was Joseph Andrews.
My dad was an extra in that as well as my sister and I.
I lived at Eyford Park.
My mum worked for Sir Cyril and lady kleinwort and we lived above the stable yard.
Fabulous memories growing up there, with our ponies.
I was sad to leave when we moved down to Devon..
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
