Metroland
Date: 1997
Director: Philip Saville
Production Company: Arts Council of England, Blue Horizon Productions, Eurimages
Stars: Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Lee Ross, Elsa Zylberstein
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, Middlesex, Surrey, Paris
Region(s): France, South East M-Q
Storyline:
The reappearance of his best friend causes a man to remember his past, question his lifestyle decisions and to re-evaluate his life and marriage.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson
Dave Buckley’s further information regarding the Metropolitan Railway engine stock can be read by clicking here.
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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.
- Capture 1
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As newspapers are delivered, morning dawns in 'Metroland'. Hillcrest Gardens, Esher, Surrey, facing west from number 54. (SR)
- Capture 2
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The camera takes us on a journey through the film's Eastwood, at the end of London's Metropolitan Line. 50 Hillcrest Gardens, Esher, looking southwest. (SR)
- Capture 3
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The tour continues as early trains begin to carry commuters towards their jobs. This is 35 Hillcrest Gardens, Esher, looking northeast. (SR)
- Capture 4
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A corner comes into view on another leafy suburban street. The junction of Hillcrest Gardens with Hinchley Close, Esher. (SR)
- Capture 5
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A phone starts ringing, waking Chris and Marion . . . . and their daughter. Looking into Hinchley Close from the junction with Hillcrest Gardens. (SR)
- Capture 6
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Chris (Christian Bale) and Marion (Emily Watson) enter the car park after shopping in Asda.
- Capture 7
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Marion carries Amy to the front door as Chris follows with the bags. 58 Hillcrest Gardens, Esher. (SR)
- Capture 8
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On the following Sunday morning, Chris and Marion wake up to the sound of Amy crying. 53 Hillcrest Gardens, Esher, looking southwest. (SR)
- Capture 9
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Later that morning, Chris answers the door to his old friend Toni (Lee Ross), who has come for lunch . . . . and to stay a while. Facing 45 Hillcrest Gardens, Esher. (SR)
- Capture 10
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Memories from 1963 see Chris and Toni smoking as they talk about Paris and the destruction of Britain by atomic bomb.
- Capture 11
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The pair ignore a request from the tennis players to return a ball.
- Capture 12
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Chris recalls a train journey as a schoolboy. This is Metropolitan Railway electric locomotive No.12 'Sarah Siddons' built by Metropolitan-Vickers in 1923. Dave Buckley has provided further information on this locomotive and the stock which can be viewed via the link in the Header Section of this film.
- Capture 13
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An alcohol fueled night at a punk club is enjoyed by the two old friends.
- Capture 14
- 02 Jul 2023
Another memory as Chris rushes onto the platform at Eastwood with his camera. Amersham station on Station Approach in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
Malcolm Tinnelly returned to the footbridge.
- Capture 15
- 29 May 2023
Before joining the train, Chris takes photos of the locomotive. Amersham station, Amersham, which also appears in 'Metro-Land' from 1973.
Platform 2 looking in the Down direction taken by Malcolm Tinnelly with the footbridge to the extreme left.
- Capture 16
- 29 May 2023
At fictional Mortimer Park station, a Retired Commuter (John Wood) alights and poses for Chris. Amersham station on Station Approach.
Facing the footbridge steps from Platform 3 by Malcolm Tinnelly.
- Capture 17
- 08 Jun 2019
Paris in 1968, where Chris ascends from the Métro. The entrance to Abbesses station in Place des Abbesses in Montmartre. The station is served by Métro Line 12.
The same station entrance in the 18th arrondissement. (PW)
- Capture 18
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The young man makes his way to his apartment.
- Capture 19
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Chris enjoys the French lifestyle that he and his schoolfriend Toni had often spoken about.
- Capture 20
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After Chris enters, the camera begins to tilt up the building.
- Capture 21
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Inside the apartment, Chris reads a postcard from Toni telling him that "Africa is where it's all happening".
- Capture 22
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Chris speaks to himself " . . . you should be here!".
- Capture 23
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Another recollection of the past sees Chris kissing his French girlfriend, Annick (Elsa Zylberstein).
- Capture 24
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After the two meet at the bar where Chris works, he and Annick return from a trip to the cinema. Looking up towards Place Dalida at the junction of Rue Girardon and Rue de l'Abreuvoir in the 18th arrondissement.
- Capture 25
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The pair discuss the film before Chris remarks that he has become the boulevardier that he always wanted to be. The steps lead down to Place Constantin Pecqueur from Place Dalida 75018.
- Capture 26
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The relationship intensifies.
- Capture 27
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These are the currently disused platforms at Porte des Lilas station on the Paris Métro. The station is located at the intersection of Boulevard Sérurier, Rue de Belleville, Avenue Gambetta, Boulevard Mortier and Avenue de la Porte des Lilas in the 19th arrondissement and is served by lines 3bis and 11. The platforms are seen in 'Code Name: Emerald'.
- Capture 28
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Chris prepares to take a photograph but is disturbed by a group playing cricket. The gardens of the Palais Royale on Rue de Montpensier, Paris 75001.
- Capture 29
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The gardens of Palais Royal with Paul Lemoyne's sculpture Le Pâtre et la Chèvre (The Shepherd and the Goat). The gardens also appear in 'Code Name: Emerald'.
- Capture 30
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Getting to know the English trio, Marion bowls, Mickey (Ifan Meredith) referees and Dave (Jonathan Aris) fields as Chris bats with a baguette. The Palais Royale gardens on Rue de Montpensier.
- Capture 31
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Chris scans a copy of The Daily Mail at a news kiosk.
- Capture 32
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Marion walks with Chris as he tells her that feels French, even thinks French.
- Capture 33
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Chris leaves Marion at the station and heads back to Annick. The colour scheme suggests passageways at Porte des Lilas station.
- Capture 34
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Marion and Chris walk together after Annick walks out on him.
- Capture 35
- 29 May 2023
Back in the 'present', Chris arrives at Eastwood station after a day at work. The footbridge between platforms at Amersham station in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
Malcolm Tinnelly took this comparison of the footbridge from Platform 3 with the second footbridge immediately behind. This other footbridge is a public footpath with no direct station access.
- Capture 36
- 29 May 2023
Chris walks down the footbridge steps. Amersham station.
Returning to the station from London at 11:30 pm, Malcolm's view shows the surviving cabling behind the windows.
- Capture 37
- 29 May 2023
Marion meets her husband near the station exit. Amersham station, Station Approach, Amersham in Buckinghamshire.
Malcolm Tinnelly explains that this is the former station exit from Platform 3and that passengers now enter and exit the station through the original Booking Hall.
- Capture 38
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Toni tries to persuade his pal to come with him to Malibu before the friends part company.
- Capture 39
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Chris takes one of his night-time strolls.