Interlude

Date: 1968
Director: Kevin Billington
Production Company: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Domino Films

Stars: Oskar Werner, Barbara Ferris, Virginia Maskell, Donald Sutherland
Location(s): Berkshire, London, Sussex

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

A famous conductor begins an affair with a young reporter during an interlude from work but the difference in their ages and backgrounds begin to cause problems.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

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TV Publicist Bevis (John Cleese) and reporter Sally Carter (Barbara Ferris) follow conductor Stefan Zelter from the television studios during a break in rehearsals. Adrian Turner, who worked in the building, advises that this is Station House, since rebranded as Wembley Point, on Harrow Road at Stonebridge Park, former head office of London Weekend Television. The prop Rediffusion Television sign advertises the predecessor of LWT's weekday counterpart.

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The famous conductor drives away, avoiding an interview with Sally. Adrian Turner points to the railway bridge in the left distance across the North Circular Road to the north of Stonebridge Park railway station. The upper floors of Station House are seen in 'The Penthouse'.

Stefan arrives home for lunch with his family. The gates of Binfield Manor in Berkshire, which also appear in 'The Stud', 'See No Evil' and 'Murder is Easy'.

Andrew Price took this comparison view.

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As his children run from the garden to greet him, Stefan Zelter (Oskar Werner) brings the car to a halt. Steve Cook advises Binfield Manor on Forest Road, Binfield near Bracknell in Berkshire. The building was also seen in 'The File of the Golden Goose', 'Murder is Easy', 'Slade in Flame', 'See No Evil', 'Tales That Witness Madness', and 'Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter'.

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Antonia Zelter (Virginia Maskell) sees her husband off after the two lunch with Lawrence, a family friend. Binfield Manor was also seen in television's The Sweeney, episode Thin Ice and The Professionals episode The Rack as well as The Avengers. The gate posts are still visible and it's now owned by The Sultan of Brunei. With thanks to Steve Cook for the information. (SJ)

On a fine, sunny day, Antonia and the children take a canal cruise. Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge crossing the Grand Union Canal in Little Venice, London W2. The bridge makes an appearance in 'You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger', ‘The Blue Lamp’, ‘The Salvage Gang’, ‘Allez France’, 'A Severed Head', 'Licensed to Kill' and ‘Blue Ice’.

Tris provides this view of the bridge from the towpath.

Taking a break during work, Stefan phones home to be told that his family are out. Little Venice.

Blomfield Road from across the Grand Union Canal by Tris.

Finding Lawrence unavailable, Stefan calls Sally and arranges to meet her. Looking along Garden Court from Fountain Court in Middle Temple, London EC4.

Sally had gone by the time Peter arrived.

The Evening Standard journalist arrives a little late after going to the wrong end of the courtyard. Fountain Court was also seen in ‘Brothers in Law’.

Peter noticed a new extension in the top background.

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Stefan and Sally talk as they walk together. Fountain Court in Middle Temple EC4.

Church Street in Isleworth and All Saints Church to the right. Circa 1968

The two get along fine whilst having a drink at a riverside pub. Looking across the River Thames from Isleworth Eyot towards Church Street in Isleworth and All Saints Church to the right.

Church Street in Isleworth and All Saints Church to the right.

Access to Isleworth Eyot would be necessary to truly replicate the shot. (RL)

The London Apprentice public house on Church Street, Isleworth Circa 1968

Stefan drives Sally away in his Bentley Continental Convertible. Facing The London Apprentice public house on Church Street, Isleworth in Greater London. The pub was also seen in 'Echo of Diana', 'Das Verrätertor', 'Sebastian' and ‘Her Private Hell’.

Access to 'The London Apprentice' however is much easier. (RL)

After an affair begins, the two spend more time together. The east side of Royal Avenue, London SW3, possibly No 30 says John Cobbett Maddy, which is also seen in 'The Servant'. (RL)

And Peter proves the location.

Stefan buys an antique lamp for Sally’s apartment. Angel Antiques on Islington High Street as seen from Camden Passage in London N1. The location also features in 'Percy'.

A period lamp post replaces the 1960s one in Peter's view.

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At the Zelter’s home, Stefan’s wife looks down from the bedroom balcony. Here, we are back at Binfield Manor, identified by Steve Cook (SJ)

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Antonia suggests that her husband spend some time away before his next season of concerts.

Taking Sally with him, Stefan enjoys the suggested break. Approaching Mermaid Street from an unnamed side street in Rye, Sussex.

More greenery adorns the building's frontage. (PW)

The view turning into Mermaid Street.

The same buildings at the same corner. (PW)

The car turns into the entrance of The Mermaid Inn. Looking west on Mermaid Street in Rye.

Taken from a similar position. (PW)

The entrance to the courtyard of the medieval Mermaid Inn. The establishment was also seen in ‘Yellowbeard’ from 1983.

Not too many changes over the years . . . just as expected. (PW)

The Bentley comes to a stand outside the door to the hotel’s reception. Outside the main entrance of the 600 year old Mermaid Inn, Rye in Sussex.

In reality, the door leads into the hotel's ancient bar. (PW)

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The couple frolic in the woods and visit a castle during their stay. The Postern Tower at Bodiam Castle to the east of Bodiam.

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Before a sequence of close up shots, the camera tilts and pulls away to reveal more of Bodiam Castle, Bodiam near Robertsbridge in East Sussex. Other views of the castle feature in 'The Desperate Man' and 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'.

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Sally enquires about Stefan's feelings about his wife.

After driving back from the coast in silence, Sally takes her luggage from the car when they reach her home. Holland Park in W11 recognised by Barbara Manning.

The trees opposite look reasonably encouraging.

Following stilted conversation, goodbyes are difficult. Barbara Manning locates this as outside number 24 Holland Park.

The north side of the southern spur of Holland Park. SJ

Without turning, Sally climbs the steps and enters the building. Facing number 24 Holland Park identified by Barbara Manning.

No. 24 now. SJ

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The lovers walk though Chelsea. This is Sloane Square SW1 continuing towards Cliveden Place to the top.

Stefan spots his agent, Humphrey Turnbull (Robert Lang). Looking across Sloane Square towards the War Memorial with the Royal Court Theatre in the right distance.

Peter returns to the location seen in 'Match Point', 'Some Like it Sexy' and 'Twinky' to grab this view.

From a safe distance, Sally watches the men speak after Stefan urges her away. To the centre stands the Venus Fountain in Sloane Square, Chelsea.

The square from another angle by Peter.

Feeling discarded, Sally runs and hides in the doorway of a Post Office. The Post Office occupied No. 9 King’s Road SW1.

The site was occupied by Links and now by Nu. The column plinth seems the only match here. SJ

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In the intermission during Stefan’s concert, Sally walks on the balcony outside the Royal Festival Hall. In the distance, Waterloo Bridge spans the River Thames.

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After Antonia answers the phone when Sally calls Stefan’s dressing room, the young reporter walks away. Looking down from the Royal Festival Hall in the Southbank Centre off Belvedere Road in London SE1.

After catching sight of Mrs Zelter in a hair salon, Sally walks through the chairs set up for an outdoor concert by Stefan. RL advises that this is the Open Air Theatre at Kenwood House on Hampstead Lane in Hampstead NW3.

Peter discovered that the 'Kenwood Bowl' is now a temporary structure which gets erected when needed.

Stefan drives towards his next concert venue. Kensington Gore in SW7 with the Royal Albert Hall to the left.

The tree sprung from nowhere, though it has been 50 years. SJ

The camera follows the car. Kensington Gore with the Royal College of Art to the left. The area has made many appearances including in ‘The IPCRESS File’, 'Joanna', ‘Not Now Comrade’, 'The Mutations', ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ and ‘Mister Ten Per Cent’.

A different season. SJ

Autograph hunters flock towards Stefan as he brings the Bentley to a stand. Kensington Gore with the Albert Memorial in the centre distance.

Unchanged. SJ

Antonia leaves after walking in on a rehearsal and seeing her husband with Sally. Looking up at The Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington which also features in 'Joanna', 'Quest for Love', 'Diamonds for Breakfast', 'I Vinti' and 'The Mutations' amongst many others.

Slightly off angle as the 2018 Baftas are being set up. SJ

Hailing a taxi, Antonia makes her way home. The steps running down to Prince Consort Road from Kensington Gore with Albert Court in the background.

Very off angle with the Bafta setting up. SJ

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Soon after, at home, Antonia approaches Stefan.