Weekend - The Making of Sylvia

Television (Excerpts) – 1984

Sylvia Ashton-Warner shows her prickly side in a brief interview at the start of this Weekend item, which backgrounds a movie based on the pioneering educationalist's life. Reporter Ainslie Talbot arrives in small-town Pipiriki on the Whanganui, to visit one of the most expensive sets then built for a local film. He interviews Sylvia's director Michael Firth, who spent seven years getting the project off the ground, and talks to UK actor Eleanor David, who plays Sylvia. The film would go on to win rave reviews overseas, and praise for David's "intelligent, compassionate performance".

Director Michael Firth says he had to use three British actors in order to finance the $3 million movie. But he has every confidence in Eleanor David's ability to capture the trials of a 30-year old Sylvia.
– Reporter Ainslie Talbot