Many of the people who have watched “The Lost World of Mr. Hardy” have written to us or posted on their blogs. We would like to share a selection of their comments here:
"A most wonderful film capturing everything we anglers feel for the most famous of all fishing tackle manufacturers, Hardy's ... thank you both for making such a truly delightful film. If the Hardy brothers of old were making films I'm sure that's how they would make it."
John Harris
"Brings endless joy every time I watch"
Erik F. Helm
Author Classic Angler Blogspot read full review
"One of the most interesting and moving films I've seen in a long time. I've shown it to a few people, (including non fishing ones like my mum), and they all thought it was wonderful ... Thanks again for your wonderful film!"
Nick Taransky, Bamboo Rod Maker, Australia
"Probably the most beautiful film covering the world of fly fishing one could wish to see."
R. Mann Bideford
"I just wanted to let you know what a beautiful film you've made. Apart from the wonderful story telling and masterful photography, it had an unexpectedly melancholy feel to it. An underlying sadness, perhaps for the passing of an era where quality and craftsmanship were highly valued and respected. Thank you for sharing this film."
D. Stephens Toronto, Canada
"Superb film... words fail to express what a wonderful piece of art you have created."
D. Sharpe
"The story of Mr Hardy was total perfection"
K. Ingham
"Touched every
nerve"
Writing like this is a first for me, but after purchasing and watching
your DVD I felt the need to tell you what a superb piece of film work
you have made. I can’t remember the last time I got so much
satisfaction from such a film and indeed, I did not want it to finish.
It touched every nerve in an angler’s body and I honestly
think it is every bit as valuable as the Hardy equipment itself. You
have immortalised Hardy in one neat package and also done more for
angling then anything I know.
Congratulations to all concerned.
Mike Warburton, Cheshire
"An
important film"
I just finished viewing the Lost World of Mr Hardy and I found myself
lost in a different time for the duration of the film. I applaud your
efforts in chronicling more than just a company but an era of pride,
craftsmanship and angling history. This is such an important film on so
many levels. I promise to trumpet the films cause on your behalf here
in Canada and I await your future projects with great anticipation.
James S. Bond, Toronto,
Canada
WOW!!
The film arrived today and we just finished watching it. WOW!! What a
stunning work of art! It was the best and most beautiful documentary
type film we have ever seen. We are extremely impressed to say the
least. It was by far the highest quality independent made film we have
viewed.
You did a fabulous job capturing the unique past of the Hardy company
as well as educating the viewer on the current situation [...] Thank
you again for the enjoyable, educating and beautiful film you have
produced. I will be recommending it to several people.
Tara Herndon, A.B.
Herndon Rod Co. USA
“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 must have DVD"
"Angling purists, social historians,
anyone who fishes, has North East connections, Hardy collectors and
everyone who respects tradition must watch this DVD, The Lost
world of
Mr Hardy.
For in it, Andy Heathcote and Heike Bachelier have distilled the
essence of Britishness.
On
one level it pays tribute to the great British artisans, the craftsmen
and women of Alnwick, those Hardy employees who created the world's
finest fishing kit. Over 100 years of excellence is seen through the
eyes of those who were intimately involved. It relates personal stories
of the people who were there. Interviews and archive film footage are
skilfully woven to paint a wonderful portrait of a bygone age.
On
a second level, it is a requiem for UK manufacturing and a toll of the
bells for our industrial heritage. A wake up call to what globalisation
means to our traditions and a realisation that things will never be the
same again.
On
yet a third level, it is a widening beacon of light for those who want
to achieve the `British Dream' (similar to the American one but quieter
and more reserved). It shows that individuals can uphold the core
values and skills of previous generations and turn them into cottage
industries.
On a personal level, my old Hardy rods and reels just became so much
more important to me.
Superb editing and evocative music made this a joy to watch."
Amazon.co.uk review by Brian Taylor, Lancashire
Highly watch-able: very
easy on the eye
"I don't fish. But like those other quintessentially
English, paternalistic entrepreneurs of the late Victorian age, Cadbury
and Lever, I was aware that Hardy and Alnwick in Northumberland were
synonymous with a family business producing the best in the
world.....but unlike the aforementioned two other families, their
product was used, not by the man on the Clapham omnibus, but was a
bespoke luxury item enjoyed by Monarchs, Maharajah's and every angler
who could aspire to owning one. I was curious to know how Hardy's had
survived into the 21st Century.
The DVD, as the title, The Lost World of Mr Hardy, suggests, focuses
mainly on an earlier, gentle age, where many of the population of the
small northern town worked for the Hardy Brothers in their factory.
Archive film, still photos, anecdotes, interviews with managers and
craftsmen (none of whom seemed to have worked there for much less than
50 years) showed the development of fly fishing tackle through the
early beginnings to the heyday of the 1920s when the "Perfect" reels
were first produced - much collected by today's enthusiasts. Throughout
all, meandering, like the rivers being fished, there is footage of
lazy, hazy summer days, blue skies, anglers' casting and trout and
salmon rising.
Like many similar labour intensive manufacturers, Hardy's hit a bad
patch in the 1960s when cheaper imports threatened their economic
viability. They looked to diversify into broadening their production
into Coarse and Sea Fishing tackle. Certainly some production is now
abroad, with the UK providing only sales and marketing. However, it was
great to see some ex-employees still continuing the traditional hand
made methods. I thought that the film provided a very balanced view of
technology versus the traditional.
I found this a fascinating DVD, as a piece of social history -only men
were allowed to tie the superior salmon flies! Beautifully and
sensitively shot, interesting, informative. The gentle, unobtrusive
background music fitted in perfectly with the ambience of the subject.
Highly watch-able: very easy on the eye. And as I said, I don't fish. I
imagine that if you do, then you'll immediately be onto eBay to see if
there are any affordable Hardy rods!"
Amazon.co.uk review by
Suzanne Ellis, Cambridge
“A
beautiful film, I really enjoyed
watching it, people with passion beautifully captured. Well
done!”
Donnie Donovan, Keeper
on the River Test
“It's
perfect, like a Hardy reel! I've
seen it twice (and I think, I'll watch it tomorrow morning, too).
Thanks for it!”
Levente, Pest Megre,
Hungary
“I watched it last night and found it
excellent!! What a treat for all Hardy fans. Lavish and well made, I
intend to watch it again later today, it's the perfect antidote to the
frigid temperatures outside.”
Malcolm Cullen, Rod
maker, Canada
“I thought I would drop you a line to let
you know how pleased my husband is with it. He is an avid Hardy fan and
your film is a delightful and informative piece of work. My husband
appreciates the engineering/quality of Hardy’s earlier
products and your film depicts that beautifully and is a very poignant
record of days gone by. He asked me to pass on his
compliments.”
Mrs R. Rose, Aberdeen
“Thank you for preserving a very special
piece of our history.”
Andrew Marshall, Oxford
