Woman of Straw

Date: 1964
Director: Basil Dearden
Production Company: Michael Relph Productions

Stars: Sean Connery, Gina Lollobrigida, Ralph Richardson, Alexander Knox, Johnny Sekka
Location(s): Dorset, Essex, Majorca (Spain)

Region(s): , ,

Storyline:

Nephew enlists help from his uncle’s carer to take his fortune, by means of marriage and will changing. SJ

Additional Information:

Originally loaded by SJ but now an Anglo-Swiss co-operation with Manuel Gurtner with added stills and identification of all scenes.

Buy this film on Amazon link

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

  • 'Now' required

The tasty interior of Audley End House, Saffron Walden, Essex...Not really, as we are actually looking at one of the mighty sets at Pinewood Studios, designed by Ken Adams, who did all the interiors for the fictional “Foxhurst Manor”.

And the exterior as Richardson relaxes with his dogs between bullying his staff. Audley End was also seen in Nothing but the Best, not yet realised by imdb.

The Cedar of Lebanon is still thriving. A new foot path cuts the lawn. SJ

Connery arrives to greet his uncle Richardson. And it seems Sean has swapped the Aston Martin DB5 for a Jaguar E-Type.

Car-free today. SJ

The house and grounds, standing in for "Foxhurst Manor".

And the bridge over the river Cam. SJ

Lollobrigida in Majorca... More precisely, we see beautiful Gina by Carrer d'En Cristofor Colom after disembarking Richardson's motor yacht "Natalie", which has moored at the pier of Portocolom, located on Majorca's south coast.

Holger Braune sent in this, and was keen to shift the angle to include, on the other side of the bay, the small house which would have been obscured by the crane. He even captured a green fishing net in the foreground. (SJ)

  • 'Now' required

But where in Majorca? ... At least not at Portocolom anymore, because Gina crosses the now Carrer Isabel Garau on her way to the next pub in Can Picafort, situated at the Bay of Alcúdia.

  • 'Now' required

Lollobrigida again... as she takes the steps in front of the "Bar Central" to talk to the owner of the lorry. The pub still exists, albeit under a different name, but over the decades nearly all of the properties on either side of the street have been replaced with new buildings, so the area has changed significantly.

  • 'Now' required

For a fistful of pesetas, the driver agrees to take Gina to the next town with a hotel. Still in front of the pub at the now Carrer Isabel Garau as they start the journey.

  • 'Now' required

On the way there, the lorry of Hupmobile Model R type rumbles through the outskirts, probably still in Can Picafort. Bet the road's been tarmacked now.

Are these buildings still standing?... Yes, after 6 years we know they are, though altered a little: all thanks to Violeta Ontavilla who has identified The Plaça de l'Aigua i Artà looking east. Artà is in the north-east of Mallorca. (SJ)

And Violeta provides this shot to show the changes. (SJ)

  • 'Now' required

The lorry stops at the square next to the corner with Carrer del Centre.

  • 'Now' required

Lollobrigida gets out the lorry in front of the property Carrer del Centre, 2, as the fictitious Hotel Castillo.

  • 'Now' required

Gina's view from her balcony across the Fountain square and down Carrer de s'Abeurador, while waiting for Connery.

  • 'Now' required

Back aboard the "Natalie" Connery watches at Richardson in the wheelchair on the quarterdeck.

  • 'Now' required

Portocolom waterfront along Carrer dels Pescadors can be seen in the background, as Richardson ponders how to persuade Lollobrigida to return.

  • 'Now' required

After Connery also Richardson makes his way to Lollobrigida. In the distance can be recognized the Santuari de Sant Salvador church that towers over the historic town of Artà, located in the region of Llevant.

  • 'Now' required

Lollobrigida works her magic with Richardson. Filmed on one of the south facing roof gardens somewhere in the old town of Artà.

  • 'Now' required

While young and beautiful Gina listens to old but rich Richardson's marriage proposal, the spire of the Franciscan abbey of Sant Antoni de Pàdua can be seen to the far left.

  • 'Now' required

Connery and Richardson on the terrace overlooking recognisable coastline. The coastline is certainly recognisable to Ray Glenister, Mallorca, Cala Ratjada. (RL) More accurately we see the Punta de Cala Gat cape, together with the tiny rock island called Faralló de Cala Gat, which both already belongs to the municipality of Capdepera.

  • 'Now' required

Richardson enjoys the maritime view. But not only ...

  • 'Now' required

... because there is also Gina in her bathing suit, lying by the pool! It seems, that the facility, at that time situated just next to the Passeig de Ses Àmfores, is no more in use today. An almost identical view can be seen in "Deadfall", shot in 1967 and released in 1968.

<?php echo 22; ?>

The super-yacht, delivered in 1929 by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend, returns to England. Ronald Powell identifies the view as looking towards Brownsea Island across Poole Harbour from The Quay, Poole with two ships at Hamworthy's New Quay to the right.

Antony Blair found changes at the location.

  • 'Now' required

After mooring at The Quay in Poole, Dorset, Richardson's 1948 Daimler has also arrived.

<?php echo 24; ?>

A rather cloudy day in Poole ... as Lollobrigida talks with the Captain. The Quay at Poole.

The same buildings stand to the right in Antony Blair's comparison.

Back at Audley End House. Similar shot to capture 4 but the leaves are now on the trees.

Now in winter. SJ

  • 'Now' required

And another interior. It'll cost about £15 to take this and other nows, but at least the house is open during summer... Okay, but in fact another huge interior set, built at Pinewood Studios and made by Ken Adams too, famous for his Production Design for 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' from the same year.