‘The Salt Path’ Starring Harry Potter Alum Sparks Controversy Over Adaptation Choices
No matter which way it’s sliced – or salted, in the case – The Salt Path has had its share of controversy. The 2018 book by Raynor Winn (Sally Walker) was a prize-winning bestseller. Several years later, a production company, Number 9 Films, obtained the rights to produce it into a movie. With a beautiful screenplay adapted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, The Salt Path hit the festival circuit in 2024, then had a wider release in Europe in 2025.
Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson in The Salt Path
Although generally considered a low-budget film, two big names played the leads. Jason Isaacs of Harry Potter fame and Gillian Anderson of The X-Files both signed on to portray the couple, Moth and Raynor Winn.
After suffering severe financial troubles and Moth receiving a debilitating medical diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration, the couple set out to hike England’s South West Coast Path – or The Salt Path. Both the book and the film recount this journey.
The motion picture achieved moderate success. It was lauded for its stunning and amazing cinematography of the gorgeous coastline of England. However, some critics said the plot came up short.
The Salt Path Deception
In early July, UK publication The Observer ran an article claiming the Winns (or the Walkers) had defrauded several parties out of a large sum of money. The couple lost their house in a lawsuit. Raynor, the book’s author, had definitely taken some liberties with this aspect of her story.
Number 9 Films, the production company that ran the film, stated:
There were no known claims against the book at the time of optioning it or producing and distributing the film.
An unnamed spokeswoman went on to say, “The film is a faithful adaptation of the book that we optioned.” She additionally said they did their necessary due diligence before acquiring the book.
Jason Isaacs, who plays Moth in the movie, told The Hollywood Reporter last year that he felt compelled to tell Moth’s story, particularly because of his disability. And what’s going on with the CBD diagnosis? It’s unclear, as Moth seems not to have the typical kinds of symptoms that sufferers of CBD usually display.
The PSP Association’s Response
In a statement dated July 7th, PSPA said “too many questions currently remain unanswered” when it came to Raynor Winn’s claims about her husband’s illness. The organization ended its association with the family.
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is an aggressive and progressive neurodegenerative condition where movement is greatly affected. Both Parkinson’s and CBD are very similar, but less aggressive. A well-known case of PSP affected Virginia Congressional Representative Jennifer Wexton, forcing her to step away from her post early.
Summing It Up
Number 9 Films made a statement last week, saying in part:
The allegations made in The Observer relate to the book and are a matter for the author Raynor Winn… We have passed any correspondence relating to the article to Raynor and her agent.
Graham Maw Christie, the literary agent, declined to make a further statement at this time. We will eventually see where The Salt Path leads.
