Inspector Clouseau

An establishing shot of London. Parliament Square in SW1 with the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster to the centre.

Peter provides this image of the famous landmark.

A Times newspaper van is tracked as it passes through Parliament Square and heads along Whitehall.

Following the action, Peter takes this comparison.

The van turns into Downing Street. London SW1.

Members of the press question Commissioner Sir Charles Braithwaite (Patrick Cargill) about the latest in a string of robberies. This is a set at MGM's Borehamwood studios which can also be seen in 1967's 'Casino Royale'.

At Heathrow Airport, Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Alan Arkin) is met by Shockley (Richard Pearson) from Special Branch and Superintendent Weaver (Frank Finlay).

After being briefed about the robberies, Clouseau calls on the Superintendent.

The Inspector is watched by Frenchie LeBec and members of Clyde Hargreaves' gang.

Following an attempt on his life during which LeBec is shot dead, Clouseau arrives at Commissioner Braithwaite’s club in search of a bomb. Dave Buckley points out that this set was also used in 'Quatermass and the Pit' but from a slightly different angle and Anthony McKay points out that it also appears in 'Decline and Fall . . . of a Birdwatcher'.

The Inspector is sent to France to follow the repatriation of LeBec’s body. Looking onto the lower end of Monument Street from Lower Thames Street in London EC3 with the entrance of Lovat Lane to the right and Billingsgate Buildings on left.

The same corner . . . . now in English. (PW)

The remains of Frenchie LeBec are loaded into a corbillard. Lower Thames Street, opposite the corner of Monument Street with the old Billingsgate Market to the left, which also features in 'Charley Moon'.

Rebuilding took place after the closure of Billingsgate as a fish market. (PW)

Clouseau tiptoes across the road. Monument Street at the junction of Lovat Lane with the café played by a suitably disguised Cock public house, renamed in 1983 to The Walrus & the Carpenter.

The suggestion is that this part of the film takes place in Le Havre but the reality is quite different. (PW)

When the corbillard pulls away, the Inspector tries unsuccessfully to hire a taxi. Lower Thames Street with travelling cranes alongside the Thames visible through the gates.

It's hard to believe that this is the same place. (PW)

Having obtained a three wheeled delivery motorcycle, Clouseau sets off in pursuit. Looking north-westward along Monument Street from the junction of Lovat Lane with Billingsgate Buildings on the extreme left.

Careful angling hides the base of The Monument. (PW)

The Car Funéraire is followed along narrow streets. Facing Monument Street on Botolph Lane with St. George’s Lane to the right.

The bollards confirm the location. (PW)

The crossroads formed by Monument Street and Botolph Lane. The area was also seen in ‘The File of the Golden Goose’, 'Forbidden Cargo' and, towards Lower Thames Street, 'The Sandwich Man'.

With thanks to the Capita security staff at Peninsular House, this is taken from the first floor of the building. (PW)

A Policeman directing traffic looks as Clouseau when he fails to move on when signalled. Looking up at the long demolished north-west facet of Billingsgate Buildings at the corner of Monument Street and Botolph Lane.

The current Peninsular House has occupied this site since 1976. (PW)

The Sureté Officer peers ahead as he tries to catch up.

Lovat Lane in EC3. (PW)

A band passes, holding up Clouseau in his fish truck. The corner of St. Mary and Hill and St. Dunstan’s Lane.

One bollard remains when all around has been swept away. (PW)

An ambulance approaches along another street. St. Dunstan’s Lane in EC3 with St. Mary at Hill in the distance.

Looking along the same lane. (PW)

The Inspector heads for the same junction. Idol Lane at the corner of St. Dunstan’s Lane. The area was seen in 'Children of The Damned' and 'Forbidden Cargo'.

Same street, same bollard. (PW)

After a conflict with the ambulance Driver, Clouseau manages to catch up with the corbillard. Botolph Lane with the redressed corners on Monument Street to the left and Billingsgate Buildings on the right.

Taken from the lobby of Peninsular House. With thanks to the security staff at Capita. (PW)

The chase heads into the countryside. The corner of Lower Thames Street and Monument Street with the New Fresh Wharf in the centre background.

No hearses to be seen in the never ending line of traffic. (PW)

The Inspector arrives at the cemetery where LeBec is being buried. Even this is a studio set, see http://avengerland.theavengers.tv/studios/mgmblot.htm (RL)

When spotted by the mourners the interloper is chased from the graveside... from the studio set anyway, http://avengerland.theavengers.tv/studios/mgmblot.htm (RL)

A car approaches, driven by Inspector Lisa Morell of Interpol. This sequence appears to be filmed on a studio set. A studio set indeed, see http://avengerland.theavengers.tv/studios/mgmblot.htm (RL)

Clouseau is driven away to safety via another studio set at MGM in Borehamwood. The background building can be seen in 'Casino Royale' from 1967.

When Lisa Morel (Delia Boccardo) stops the car outside a Police Station, the Inspector handcuffs the young woman that he believes to be a crook. Looks like we’re still at the studio, yes, see http://avengerland.theavengers.tv/studios/mgmblot.htm (RL)

Clouseau and Lisa drive away to foil an imaginary bank robbery as master criminal Clyde Hargreaves hands out rubber Inspector Clouseau masks to his gang members. It looks as if we might be finally leaving that set. See, http://avengerland.theavengers.tv/studios/mgmblot.htm (RL)

An establishing shot of Le Havre station. The sign is a prop as this is Zürich Hauptbahnhof on Bahnhofplatz in Zürich 8001, Switzerland. Manuel Gurtner adds "With a closer look, we see what was then the platform on tracks 15 and 16 with the background trees along Museumstrasse hiding the complex of the Landes museum, the Swiss National Museum.

Manuel's comparison shot shows that platform 16 has been changed and extended since 1997. Nevertheless, the number of above-ground tracks has not changed as major changes to the main station took place underground.

After being seen off by Préfet de Police Geffrion, Clouseau runs to join the correct portion of his train after boarding the wrong carriage. Zürich Hauptbahnhof.

The roof looks the same but Nathan Sears found that much has changed at the station.

L'Arbalète departs with the Inspector on board. The named Trans-Europ Express service ran between Gare de Paris-Est and Zurich from 1957 until 1979 but Manuel Gurtner points out that in reality this would be the TEE "Gottardo" or "Ticino" which ran between Zurich and Milano.

The TEE trains have long since gone, but Manuel Gurtner captured the original train shed from 1930 which has remained and is here seen along with the almost new double-deck air-conditioned FV-Dosto-EMU of SBB RABDe 502 class.

A series of shots show the train's progress towards Zürich. Manuel Gurtner advises that this is the TEE "Gottardo" or "Ticino" heading southward on the Gotthard line at Wassen in the canton of Uri, Switzerland.

Manuel Gurtner provides this comparison telling us "Compared to the camera position in the film, the shot was taken a little higher up, on a slope between the Gotthard Pass road and the Wassen church, famous among railway enthusiasts all over the world. The view down the Reuss valley shows the Pfaffensprung reservoir in the background. Since 1988 there are no longer TEE services and since 2016 all SBB scheduled express trains have been running through the Gotthard base tunnel. But in the meantime the private Südostbahn (SOB), using the new Traverso type electric multiple units, has jumped into the breach. So we can recognized the northbound SOB Traverso from Locarno to Zürich, which has just left the Mühle tunnel."

Revealed as working for Hargreaves' gang, Weaver attacks Clouseau and throws him from the train. Revealed as working for Hargreaves' gang, Weaver attacks Clouseau and throws him from the train. A SBB-electric multiple unit of type RAe TEE II as southbound "Gottardo" or "Ticino" leaving the Axenberg Tunnel on the Gotthard railway along the shore of Lake Uri, part of Lake Lucerne, near the village of Flüelen, located in the canton of Uri, recognised by Manuel Gurtner.

Since there is left-hand running in Switzerland, as in the United Kingdom, Manuel could not get as close to the tunnel entrance as in the screen capture. On the right we see the Axenberg tunnel (length 1128 m), in the centre background the Sulzeck tunnel (length 128 m) and on the left the emerald green lake. And above is part of the Axenstrasse visible, the two-lane middle section with ongoing traffic between Flüelen and the resort of Brunnen in the canton of Schwyz, as link between the A4 and A2 motorways.

Luckily, the attempted murder fails. Manuel Gurtner identifies this location as looking north to the Catholic church of Frick on the Bözberg line that runs between Basel, Brugg and Zürich.

Venturing very close to the tracks, Manuel provides this shot of the same spot and points out that the equipment that Clouseau gets entangled with is typically the type used by the British Railways travelling post office, which does not exist on the continent.

The train reaches its destination. The River Limmat flowing through Zürich with the twin towers of Grossmünster on the east bank and the spire of Kirche Fraumünster to the right.

Unfortunately Manuel Gurtner was only able to take a shot further downstream from the Lindenhof hill, the highest point on the left-hand, or western, side of the Limmat river and also the oldest part of Zurich (latin Turicum). The establishing shot was probably taken from the church tower of St. Peter.

Now disguised as Clouseau, Weaver is met by Hoeffler (Wallas Eaton), the Director of National Security, on arrival at Zürich Hauptbahnhof.

Nathan Sears captures asimilar view.

Having also travelled from Le Havre, Lisa approaches to warn the Inspector about Weaver.

The disguised Weaver listens to Lisa’s suspicions. Zürich Hauptbahnhof on Bahnhofplatz in Zürich.

Manuel found almost the same spot on the concourse near platform 5. But the cigarette advertising, which has long since disappeared, ensures brighter lighting conditions. The part of the train shed between platforms 3 and 6 is still being renovated, as are the exterior facades on the south and east sides, see capture 40.

As Lisa walks away puzzled, Weaver approaches another member of the gang and instructs him to get her.

Working on the old and new signage, Nathan Sears believes this to be somewhere near the spot.

Weaver is driven away by Hargreaves who has infiltrated the authorities. Facing southward towards Bahnhofplatz from Bahnhofquai at the front of Zürich Hauptbahnhof.

Nathan Sears stepped outside the station.

Hargreaves and Weaver head to meet with Bergesch, the Minister of Finance. Bellerivestrasse in Zurich located by Manuel Gurtner.

The location now from Nathan Sears.

The car is brought to a stand outside the Ministry after the two crooks have swapped clothing and disguises on the way. Manuel Gurtner advises that in reality this is the office building Bellerivestrasse 55 near Lake Zurich.

Manuel's comparison shot had to be taken from a little further to the left because of the heavy traffic on Bellerivestrasse.

Meanwhile, the real Inspector Clouseau attempts to call London but runs out of change. The railway station at Eiken, a municipality in the district of Laufenburg in the canton of Aargau.

Manuel took this comparison which suggests that the phone booth was a prop.

The German speaking villagers are reluctant to help the dishevelled man. Looking to the north-east on Bahnhofstrasse in Eiken.

Highly recognisable as the same location in Manuel's shot.

A Nun (Barbara Dana) catches Clouseau as he takes coins from a charity collection. Eiken station confirmed by Nathan Sears.

Replacement buildings fill the background of Nathan's comparison.

The Inspector offers his watch to the Nun in exchange. Eiken station on Bahnhofstrasse.

Manuel found that trees now fill part of the view.

At noon, gang member Stevie Frey (Michael Ripper) dons his Clouseau mask. Manuel Gurtner explains that the pair are standing on the Rudolf-Brun-Brücke over the Limmat.

Looking from the Rudolf-Brun-Brücke, Manuel's similar view shows the right-hand. eastern, bank, with the waterfront of the Altstadt district called Limmatquai.

Cut to the form of a statue gracing a modern building before the camera tilts down . . .

The statue stands above Walcheplatz in Zürich and Nathan Sears found it.

. . . . to find the first of many disguised gang members as they begin to enter banks around Switzerland. The sign reads Banque Cantonale de Lausanne. However, Manuel Gurtner advises that this isn't at Lausanne, but still in Zurich and . . . .

. . . . his comparison shot shows the steps to the Walchetor passage, hosting the entrance to the General Secretariat of the building department at Walcheplatz 2.

Another ‘Inspector’ enters another bank. The junction of Neumühlequai and Walchestrasse in Zürich with the Walcheplatz behind.

Manuel took this view of the corner building which also belongs to the cantonal administration (building department) located at Walcheplatz 1.

The Banca Di Lugano is also targeted.

Time passes as the vaults are emptied into security vans on the orders of 'Inspector Clouseau'. Manuel Gurtner identifies this as the east side clock of the Käfigturm, a medieval tower in Bern, situated at the upper end of Marktgasse.

Because of the heavy bus and tram traffic through and next to the tower located at Marktgasse 67, Manuel Gurtner's comparison shot was taken little further away.

Another imposter gets out of a car. A very interesting location, says Manuel, because this is in front of Amtshaus 1, in fact the city police main station at Bahnhofquai 3.

Because of a motorcade of police vehicles parked along the sidewalk, Manuel's comparison shot had to be taken further ahead. In the distance the spire of the Predigerkirche can be seen.

The disguised crook swaggers into his assigned bank. This is actually the public doorway for Amtshaus 1 as Manuel Gurtner discovered.

Manuel captured the entrance which is no longer in use.

Stevie Frey takes his mask off in the armoured van as he leaves the Bank of Winterthur. Manuel Gurtner tells us that this is the former Alusuisse building at Feldeggstrasse 4, located between Bellerivestrasse and the nearby Lake Zurich where the Opel Blitz van leaves the area towards Klausstrasse.

Replacing his previous Google image, Manuel provides this view of the same building looking from Klausstrasse which proves that nothing has changed since, apart from the barriers.

The real Clouseau arrives at a Bank of Zurich branch to cash a cheque and discovers that he has apparently already taken all the money. This is the entrance to the former SBG (Schweizerische Bankgesellschaft) at Paradeplatz 6. On the other side of the place stands the 'Savoy' and on the right in the background is the Fraumünster Church. Location identified by Manuel Gurtner.

A similar view across Paradeplatz by Manuel from in front of the later UBS (United Bank of Switzerland) and without any trams, showing across the square the Savoy hotel and in the right distance the Fraumünster church.

Moving the cash to their hideout, the gang transfer the money into Lindt & Sprüngli liveried vans. Manuel Gurtner advises that the L 319 type Mercedes-Benz has just left the gateway to Zollstrasse 80, Zürich. All railway sidings with their goods sheds and the adjacent buildings alongside Zollstrasse disappeared in the 1980s.

Manuel took this view from the same angle looking towards the gateway of the former Volvo garage, the walls of which have been "embellished". In the distance the Prime Tower skyscraper, currently tallest building in Zurich, can be recognised.

The van is driven away to the next rendezvous point. Looking towards the junction of Zollstrasse with Neugasse and Klingenstrasse.

Manuel Gurtner's comparison view from the same angle shows that the surrounding area has changed significantly.

Likely to be in or near Zürich, and Manuel has identified the location as Bundesgasse in Bern, where an identical van drives towards Hirschengraben.

Luckily there was no heavy road traffic when Manuel Gurtner took this comparison showing, in the centre distance, the Schweizerische Nationalbank (Swiss National Bank) at Bundesplatz 3 and on the right the Berna fountain in the forecourt of the Federal Palace's west wing. Behind it the cupola of the Parliament building is visible.

Another Mercedes-Benz van loaded with notes heads for Zürich. This is Seebrücke crossing the River Reuss in Lucerne, Switzerland with Kapellbrücke in the background.

Taken by Manuel a little further away, and not quite as high as in the film, but still, the view from the north-west corner of the Bahnhofplatz. The Kapellbrücke, built around 1365 the oldest still existing covered wooden bridge in Europe, together with the mighty Wasserturm (out of sight) is considered a landmark of the city. On the left can be seen the town hall from 1606 with the Rathausturm behind, located at Kornmarkt 3. In the centre background the Peterskapelle, located at Kapellplatz, is visible. In the distance the defence towers of the Musegg wall can be recognized.

Manuel Gurtner recognised that the van is passing Lausanne's Bessières bridge in the Canton of Vaud with Notre-Dame Cathedral in the background. One of the vans is crossing the bridge in Lausanne, the main city of the Canton of Vaud. Opened in 1910, the construction spans the Riponne district at a height of 23 meters and is notorious as the "suicide bridge". In 2003, a special bridge railing was installed to make it more difficult to climb over.

Manuel's took this comparison shot almost 55 years later through a pane of safety glass which prevents potential suicides from throwing themselves into the depths. Since 2008 right next to this angle can be find the lift to the fully automated subway line M2, whose tracks can be recognized under the bridge. For a completely identical comparison shot as in the film, I would have had to take a room in the now Hotel City. Nevertheless, on the other side of the Pont Bessières the 12th-century Notre-Dame Cathedral is visible in the background.

More stolen cash heads to join the growing convoy. The tower to the right is Nölliturm on St. Karli Quai, Luzern and Männliturm stands above behind. Both form part of Museggmauer, the city's ancient fortifications.

Manuel advises that the screen capture can no longer be totally matched since the environment of the then camera position has been completely changed by the Geissmatt Bridge, built between 1969 and 1971 in connection with the construction of the A2 motorway. On the opposite site of river Reuss the apartment building next to the now Reussbad restaurant has gone because of this too. The view towards the Nölli tower from 1513, from where the medieval Musegg wall begins along a rising ridge, shows further above the Männli tower, followed by a tower called Luegisland in the distance.

Vans start to converge as they near their destination. Manuel identifies this as Helvetiaplatz in Berne with the Welttelegrafen-Denkmal Fountain and the Historical Museum in the background.

Manuel Gurtner took this matching shot across the intersection towards the Helvetia square with the fountain from 1922, located in front of Berne's Historical Museum, built between 1892 and 1894.

Delivery vans from all over the country meet. In the centre distance can be seen the twin spires of St. Leodegar in Lucerne and Manuel adds that the Lindt vans curve around the Wagenbach fountain opposite the then Kunst- und Kongresshaus (Art and Congress Centre), built between 1931 and 1933 and located just next to the main station.

Since the major fire in the main station in 1971, which necessitated a completely new building, including the construction of a underground car parking, the entire area around has changed significantly. The comparison shot was taken next to the now Europaplatz, about 50 meters left hand of the still existing fountain, which was integrated then in the project by Jean Nouvel for the new Culture and Congress Centre (KKL), inaugurated in 1998, and now to find on the fully covered forecourt. Comparison and comment by Manuel.

Looking east along Kramgasse in Bern, Switzerland.

The Zähringer fountain, looking in direction of Gerechtigkeitsgasse captured by Manuel Gurtner.

The camera pans as the van passes. Kramgasse with the Zytglogge clock tower in the left background.

Manuel Gurtner took this comparison looking towards the landmark Clock Tower from 1405, located at Bim Zytglogge 1.

Coming along Limmatquai the three vans turn toward the Münsterbrücke over the River Limmat in Zürich with the tower of St. Peter's Church to the centre top.

Manuel Gurtner replicates the view from the same spot next to Grossmünster church above the junction of Limmatquai and Münsterbrücke. While modern Cobra trams now operate on line 4 of VBZ (Zurich Public Transport), car traffic on the Limmatquai has been restricted. Across the river St. Peter's belfry with the largest clock face in Europe is visible.

At the chocolate factory Hargreaves and Addison Steele are let in by Gutch the night watchman to await the arrival of the vans. The Lindt & Sprüngli factory at the corner of Wiesenstrasse and Seestrasse in the suburb of Kilchberg the district of Horgen, Canton of Zürich.

Manuel Gurtner took this brighter view from the same spot showing that the, then, illuminated advertising on the wall and the loading bay beneath have both disappeared with deliveries now made behind the main building where a modern extension has been built.

The money is packaged in chocolate bar wrappers and crated up before being loaded onto a barge. Manuel Gurtner identifies this as the eastern quay of Kleinhüningen Harbor in Basel, Switzerland. Opposite, on the West quay of basin 1, the storage building of the Rhenus shipping company can be seen.

Manuel Gurtner provides this comparison explaining "Apparently the shot in the film was taken from the office of the Port Custom Authority, which of course was not possible for me 55 years later. From a similar position next to the former Neptun shipping company building, the view across harbour basin 1 towards the now called Silo 2 storage building, still owned by German Rhenus company. However, the decline of Swiss Rhine shipping, which began already in the mid-1970s, is unmistakable. The tank farm in the distance no longer exists either, as fuel transports are unloaded now further up the river.

Clyde Hargreaves (Clive Francis) speaks with Steele as Weaver prepares to depart for headquarters. Manuel Gurtner suspects that this scene was probably filmed at the basin 2 of Kleinhüningen Harbour, but this isn't yet confirmed as the site is now completely overbuilt and partially a restricted area. However, the piles of coal in the background have long since disappeared, making way for piles of ship containers.

With the cash on board, the barge sets out for Cologne. Looking down to Pfalzgrafenstein Castle on Pfalz Island in the River Rhine near Kaub in Rhineland-Palatinate, West Germany. Manuel Gurtner adds that the castle on the hill to the left is Burg Gutenfels.

While Clouseau and the Gutch are questioned before Weaver is unmasked, the gang enjoy the leisurely journey.

A TV News Reporter (Grahame Mallard) interviews Clouseau after his release. The Lindt & Sprüngli factory in Kilchberg, Zurich.

In Cologne, the Inspector catches up with Addison Steele (Barry Foster).

Steele is tricked into believing that Clouseau is Weaver in disguise.

Realising that the the man is not wearing a disguise, Steele makes his escape after taking the keys from the police car.

Driving off in his Amphicar, Steele is pursued by the Inspector. In the background stands Cologne Cathedral on Domkloster, Köln 50667, Germany.

One can see why is was so difficult for Marc Goris to achieve the correct angle. He tells us that the street towards the dome does not exist anymore and in the 1970's the museum was built there. (RL)

Clouseau follows Steele in the yellow Lotus Elan that he has taken. This is Heinrich-Böll-Platz and in the left distance is Hohenzollern Bridge which spans the River Rhine as it flows through Köln.

That location was also impacted by the new museum and the area now looks totally different says Marc providing us with this comparison. (RL)

The Inspector keeps up with Steele. Crossing Severinsbrücke in Köln.

This shot from Marc reveals more traffic and many more overhead wires. (RL)

Steele turns off the main road to cross a bridge. Malakoff Swing Bridge at the entrance of Rheinau harbour in Cologne with Am Leystapel to the right.

Marc found was forced to a different angle, as the old restaurant with a tower, from which the scene was shot, was closed due to COVID-19. (RL)

Clouseau becomes trapped when the bridge's barrier is lowered in front of him. In the right of centre background stands Malakoff Tower. The swing bridge dates from 1896 and is the oldest Rhine River bridge in Köln.

Marc's sterling contribution was hampered yet again, unable to get a better angle, as there was a large COVID-19 testing tent behind him. (RL)

Steele speeds along the harbour. Im Zollhafen in Köln 50678 with Severinsbrücke passing overhead. The warehouse to the right now houses the German Sports & Olympics Museum.

At least Marc was unhindered taking this shot. (RL)

The Inspector catches up with Steel in the harbour.

Marc found that the area had changed a lot and that an office building had replaced the hut. (RL)

Clouseau keeps up but Steele has the advantage in his Amphicar and turns into the river to escape. In the left distance stands Mülheimer Brücke on the east bank of the Rhine in Mülheim to the north of Köln.