"Essential"
The Lost World Of Mr. Hardy tells the story of the Hardy
tackle company by way of glorious archive films and photographs, and
interviews with current and retired Hardy workers, with contributions
from modern independent craftsmen, notably reel maker Chris Lythe and
rod maker Edward Barder. It is nostalgic and romantic. On one level an
historic record, on another a lament for lost manufacturing prowess...
Simply, you are left wanting more. This is a beautiful film, several
cuts above much angling viewing, and one that could be broadcast on
mainstream television. Essential. Richard Baker
Richard Baker, Trout
& Salmon Magazine (May 08)
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full article
"I can't recommend it highly enough"
When The Lost World of Mr Hardy arrived I sat down to
grab a few minutes viewing over a cup of coffeee. Ninety three minutes
later I watched the last frame... We can get the film quality out of
the
way quite quickly: superb image
quality, first class editing, excellent sound, pleasing original music.
A good start then... An exceptionally well made, hugely entertaining
and thought-provoking documentary - I can't recommend it highly
enough!
Magnus Angus, Fly
Fishing & Fly Tying
Magazine (May 08)
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full article
Verdict:
10/10
Filmmakers Andy Heathcote and Heike Bachelier have created an
excellent documentary and the big companies could learn a thing from
these two independent film makers. This DVD will appeal to all
who
have a passion for angling and I think it will be a future classic. I
therefore give it 10 out of 10.
Bryan Baron,
Fishingmagic.com website (April 08)
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full article
“Only the best is good
enough for
fishermen”
said J.J. Hardy at the end of the 19th century and
how right he was. The name Hardy has been synonymous with the
best in angling for 135 years, a name to stir the heart of many a
fisherman.’
This is a quote taken from the cover of a DVD: ‘The Lost
World of Mr. Hardy’ and it saddens me greatly that the name
no longer exists, except as a significant part of angling history.
I am passionate about the preservation of angling history, for it is so
easily lost, and film-makers, Andy Heathcote & Heike Bachelier
have contributed greatly to that by producing this DVD. In
it, you will see and hear James L. Hardy, and the craftsmen whose
skills produced some of the finest fishing tackle in the
world. It was truly a golden age of rod and reel development
associated with some of our greatest anglers such as Richard Walker,
Fred J. Taylor and Fred Buller.
This film will rightly take its place in the archives which are so
essential to angling heritage, and I applaud the makers for their
insight.
Sandra Armishaw, River Reads,
Torrington, Devon
"A lush and beautifully made film"
...and a real treat for anyone interested in the traditions of quality
vintage fishing tackle and the history of Hardy's. The filming is
excellent and has the feel of a big screen production rather than that
of a television documentary. You will find no snappy editing or quick
'bites'; there is plenty of time to enjoy the places and the people
involved, both past and present, in making fine fishing tackle. The
music has been specially composed by Stephen Daltry, and I am sure many
will be ordering the film score music CD when it is available from
Trufflepig Films.
The Lost World of Mr.Hardy is a film to enjoy again and again,
not just
for the information but for a hefty dose of that misty, nostalgic
comfort of the past. It shows the age of the British Empire, when
Hardy's were at the top of their game, their fishing tackle the best,
created mostly by hand in Alnwick by the people who used it. The film
has been described as a 'requiem' for British manufacturing in the face
of global competition, but that aspect is almost incidental to the main
theme, which is the very human story behind the manufacture of what was
the finest fishing tackle in the world.
Malcolm Cullen, Pure
Piscator Website,
Read full article (opens new
window at PurePiscator.com)
"Only the best is good enough for fishermen"
... and though it was fishing tackle that John James
Hardy Jr. had in mind when he uttered that line near the end of the
19th century, after viewing this documentary one might surmise that
J.J.'s words are indeed prophetic, as they have come to embrace the
efforts of Heathcote and Bachelier and their film, The Lost World of
Mr. Hardy.
Though The Lost World could stand alone on the anecdotes of
former Hardys directors and employees or perhaps even composer, Stephen
Daltrys' music, particularly intriguing is the way the filmmakers chose
to incorporate present-day rod and reel makers, Edward Barder and Chris
Lythe ... their inclusion brings the film full-circle and thus fulfills
Andy Heathcote's desire that we "Be inspired by a poignant reflection
of the world we live in and the myriad ways it has changed over 130
years."
As I reflected on my first go at The Lost World of Mr Hardy, I
found myself at once, not only wrestling with a sense of loss, but also
nuturing rekindled feelings of adoration for those who churned out and
stamped their intitials into my Hardy reels ... one reel at a time.
Shoeless Joe, Clarks
Classic Fly Rod Forum
"Bravo! Encore!
I have just watched The Lost World of Mr Hardy. Wonderful! I feel like
I’ve just been to the cinema and am still totally captured by
the experience. What keeps coming to my mind is how this is just such a
superb, magnificent story, capturing our changing world over the years
up until our modern day so very well. How different is the language of
today’s contemporary manager. Equally interesting for
non-anglers, the film manages to show the real value of craftsmen and
of the handmade. Touching interviews. Humour and wisdom. Once again:
wonderful!"
Ralf Koss, Journalist (Cologne, Germany)
