books > Treasure at the Mill

Malcolm Saville was approached by The Children’s Film Foundation and asked to write a screenplay about Spring Valley Mill on the outskirts of Ardleigh, Essex. The film was premièred in January 1957. 

We are used to his stories featuring real locations but, unusually, this story features real people too – the Pettit family who lived at the mill. The family, together with their pets, starred in the film and the father, Harry Pettit, illustrated the book.

It is entirely appropriate that the original Harry Pettit illustrations, jacket and map are used in this fine book. As well as the story, this new book contains images from the film, explanations of how the film version varies from the printed story and personal recollections of the making of the film. The appendix includes an outline of the mill’s fascinating and action-packed history. Merrilyn Boorman (née Pettit), who starred in the film, has kindly assisted with this additional material.

This new case-bound edition accurately recreates the style and format of the Crown Octavo Newnes books of the 1950s.

The book is 190mm x 130mm (7.5" x 5.2") and has 160 pages.  The book costs £18 including UK post and packing.