Man Who Watched Trains Go By, The

A Nederlandse Spoorwegen Mat '36 electric multiple unit approaches the level crossing where Kees Popinga waits with other cyclists as they commute into Groningen. Joris van Rooden explains that this is looking north-eastward from the level crossing that takes Beeklaan over the railway between Hillegom and De Zilk in South Holland.

The train speeds over the crossing. Beeklaan in Hillegom located by Joris van Rooden, where the train is heading south from Hillegom station towards Voorhout station.

The barriers begin to rise as Kees Popinga (Claude Rains) turns to watch the last car of the train disappear. Joris van Rooden identifies the level crossing on Beeklaan in Hillegom.

The scene now by Joris.

The Crossing Keeper (Jean Deveaux) walks over to Mr. Popinga. Beeklaan in Hillegom discovered by Joris van Rooden.

Joris found that the Crossing Keepers Post has long disappeared.

During a brief conversation, Kees comments that the train is three minutes late. The view from the level crossing on Beeklaan identified by Joris van Rooden.

Kees continues on his way to the factory of Julius de Koster & Zoon where he is employed as Chief Clerk. Looking along Beeklaan towards De Zilk in South Holland, found by Joris van Rooden.

Joris captures the scene now, facing north-westward on Beeklaan with the spire of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the distance.

As the titles roll, establishing shots of the provincial Dutch town are seen. The junction of Reguliersgracht and Herengracht in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland.

Continuing to battle through the cast and crew, Kees nears the factory. Haarlem, Noord Holland.

This location is in Haarlem, Noord Holland and the river you see is the river Spaarne. The building on the left is De Waag in a renaissance style. It was constructed in 1595 and served as a place where they weight all items that were transported over De Spaarne. It is on the junction of Spaarne and Damstraat. Nowadays it is a well known pub… (RL)

That evening, Kees sets out from home to visit the chess club that he belongs to.

At the station, Kees spots Julius de Koster saying farewell to an unknown woman.

After playing chess with his boss and Lucas, a Police Commissioner from Paris, Kees makes his way home with doubts in his mind.

Frank van den Berg starts work on another film for us, here the Waag in Haarlem, again as described in capture 8, but now from the other side of De Spaarne. Not much changed over the years except for a new balcony of De Waag. (RL)

The loyal employee walks to the factory where he discovers Julius de Koster burning financial records and books.

At the canal-side, Kees confronts his boss and a scuffle breaks out resulting in the death of Julius de Koster Junior (Herbert Lom). A studio set.

Having taken de Koster's briefcase containing a train ticket and money that he had stolen from the business, Kees catches the Paris Express on which Lucas is also travelling.

During the journey, Lucas questions Kees as to why he is on the train and what had happened to de Koster.

Jumping from the train before it reaches the terminus, Kees heads off to seek out Michèle Rozier, whose address he found in de Koster's briefcase.

Kees turns to carry on with his search after admiring a view of the Seine. Looking along the Seine from Pont de l'Alma towards Pont des Invalides and Pont Alexandre III beyond.

More sights are taken in by the Dutchman who watched trains go by but had never before travelled out of the Netherlands. The view of the Eiffel Tower from, what is now, Voie Georges Pompidou on the right bank of the Seine with Pont de Bir-Hakeim crossing the river.

The Palais Garnier opera house on Place de l'Opéra in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. The building was also seen in 'Seven Sinners', 'Stolen Face' and 'House of Secrets'.

Risking injury as he crosses the road between unrelenting vehicles, Kees carries on to Michèle's apartment block. The Jardin des Tuileries in Paris 75001 with the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel to the left of centre.

Kees walks through a park after angering Michèle with the news about her lover before bumping into Jeanne who leads him to a seedy boarding house where he takes a room.

After questioning Michèle about Popinga, Police Commissioner Lucas (Marius Goring) leaves her apartment and tells Pierre (Roy Purcell) to keep watch.

Pierre takes up his position as Lucas drives away.

It's only moments before Michèle Rozier (Märta Torén) leaves the building.

Pierre turns to follow Michèle as she sets out to find Popinga . . . . and the money.

Michèle finds Jeanne (Anouk Aimée) at a café where she has tried to pay using a Dutch banknote. Avenue des Champs-Élysées with the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile standing in the distance.

Pierre watches as Michèle questions Jeanne about the Dutchman. This looks like the entrance to a subway leading to George V Metro station on Avenue des Champs-Élysées with Avenue George V in the background.

Finding Kees at his lodgings, Michèle quickly leads him away after she sees Lucas through the window. Rue Saint-Éleuthère, Paris 75018.

Quite a bit tidier now. (PW)

The camera tracks the pair as they run along the street. Rue Saint-Éleuthère in Montmartre.

Panning right from the previous. (PW)

This is Rue Saint-Rustique 75018 with the Sacré-Cœur Basilica standing in the background. The streets around the Basilica were also seen in 'Ballad in Blue', 'The Rebel' and 'The Man on the Eiffel Tower'.

More of Montmartre. (PW)

The pair head to a flower stall. Place Jean Marais in the 18th arrondissement with Le Moulin Joyeux restaurant standing on Rue du Mont Cenis to the left.

Cleaner, far busier and still recognisable. (PW)

After buying flowers, the two follow the rest of the congregation into a nearby church. Église Saint-Pierre de Montmartre on Place Jean Marais at the southern end of Rue du Mont Cenis.

The church is the oldest in Paris. (PW)

Michèle contacts her boyfriend Louis who takes her and Kees to a safe location. Boulevard de Clichy 75018.

Turning from the main road, Louis steers the car into a narrow alleyway. Le Palace Café at the corner of Passage de Clichy on Boulevard de Clichy.

The car approaches Goin's back street garage.

A train speeds past the yard at the back of the garage.

At the rear of the garage Kees hides the money in a derelict car.

Kees tells a young boy off for playing in the yard full of scrap cars.

Michèle and Kees enjoy a night on the town as the Dutchman attempts to woo the devious woman. Maxim's on Rue Royale in the 18th arrondissement.

When Michèle returns to her apartment with Lucas, Kees escapes into the night.

Becoming psychotic, Kees smashes a window and steals a knife before heading back to Goin's garage.

Michèle follows Kees into the railway yard after he stabs Loius.

After Michèle is killed by Kees, Lucas chases her murderer along the railway line. This appears to be somewhere within freight yards to the north of Paris, possibly La Chapelle on the route out of Gare du Nord.

A train heads towards the deranged Popinga.

Before being hit by the locomotive, Popinga falls to the side of the track where he is found by Lucas. In the right distance stands Sacré-Cœur.