Back in August 2006 we were ready to go. Equipped and provisioned we set off to explore the world of our film, to discover The Lost World of Mr. Hardy. We travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles, meeting and filming people who have dedicated their lives to fishing; amongst them the many in Alnwick who worked for Hardy’s all their life, including directors past and present, plus dedicated river-keepers, passionate fishermen, collectors, publishers and auctioneers, all manner of experts in angling and its history. We met the passionate individuals dotted around the country who still make quality rods, reels and fishing tackle by hand, people who share an idea of what Hardy’s was all about.
We soon discovered we were telling a story with real enthusiasm and warmth. Our film is about people who have dedicated their working life to an art. We became totally absorbed and committed everything we could to telling their story.
As an independent film company we were lucky, we could ignore television production schedules or compromising deadlines. Instead we could concentrate on capturing a unique world unveiling itself.
Not only did we meet wonderful people, capturing some great stories from life but we also filmed in some of the most beautiful and idyllic places in the country. From southern chalk streams to northern salmon rivers, wild hills to pretty estuaries. Discovering The Lost World of Mr. Hardy was an unforgettable journey.
It was wonderful to have the support of Hardy's to make this film, to interview such enthusiastic people and incredible craftsmen. We also had access to an astonishing film library initiated by Hardy's in the 1920s and also uncovered the first ever colour fishing films.
New technology meant we could shoot our film in high definition but without the need for a big crew and so keep it personal. We were able to make a film of bespoke quality but with a story big enough and strong enough to be shown in a cinema anywhere in the world, an intimate, unique and enriching story with a universal message.
