Mind Benders, The

The rather grimy looking building of The Royal Institution of Great Britain on Albemarle Street, London W1 where, inside, a weary Professor Sharpey sits contemplating.

Peter found a much cleaner building and Christmas decorations adorning the street.

Professor Sharpey (Harold Goldblatt) leaves the building and gets into a taxi. Looking south-east on Albemarle Street in Mayfair.

The same location by Peter.

Major Hall (John Clements) follows the Professor onto the street as the cab pulls away. Outside The Royal Institution of Great Britain on Albemarle Street W1.

Peter provides a more colourful image.

The Professor arrives at Paddington station to catch the Oxford train. The station stands on Praed Street in London W2 and features in many films including ‘Murder She Said’, 'The Last Journey', 'A Run for Your Money', 'Joanna' and 'The Long Good Friday' with this shot also appearing in 'The Belles of St. Trinian's'.

A favourite vantage spot from the top of the stairs. I'm sure I've been up here before. SJ

Doctor David Tate (Michael Bryant) helps the Professor onto the train as Major Hall watches from a distance. Paddington station's Platform 3.

Now. SJ

With Tate, Professor Sharpey and the Major on board, the train sets off for Oxfordshire. Paddington once again, this time Platform 1 which we also saw in 'Morning Call'. Dave Buckley advises that the engine 6015 is King Richard III. Built June 1928 and first shedded at old Oak Common, just along from Paddington Station. Its last shed allocation Dave advises was Wolverhampton, Stafford Road. Withdrawn in September 1962 the engine was scrapped at Cox & Danks, Oldbury. (RL)

A clear shot of the tracks here in the open air of platform 1. SJ

The journey is depicted by several previously used shots of trains passing through stations. The first part of this double image features Watford Junction station and also appears in 'Brief Encounter', 'Wrong Number' and 'Joey Boy'.

After Professor Sharpey throws himself to his death from the train, Tate and Major Hall eventually arrive in Oxford.

Bells chime the hour as Major Hall leaves his hotel. The spire of St. Martin and All Saints Church at the corner of High Street and Turl Street in Oxford.

Since 1975 this building has been Lincoln College's library, but it still looks the same. (SR)

The Major appears outside the Mitre Hotel on High Street.

Tris provides this view looking north from across the High Street.

Putting on his hat, Major Hall sets off to continue his investigation into Professor Sharpey who was suspected of being a double agent. Outside the Mitre Hotel. Oxford's High Street can also be seen in 'Who Killed Lamb' and 'The Rake's Progress'.

The Mitre Building now hosts the Gusto Italian restaurant. (SR)

The camera follows the man from Military Intelligence. Facing the corner of High Street and Turl Street with St. Martin and All Saints Church to the right of centre.

The scene today shows little has changed except the attire. (SR)

Radcliffe Square with Radcliffe Library on the left and All Souls College to the right.

Radcliffe Square today shows an absence of cars. (SR)

Catte Street at the corner of New College Lane, a location seen in 'The Sinister Man'.

Slightly off-angle to avoid an ice cream seller. (SR)

Catte Street with the Sheldonian Theatre in the background. The building also appears in 'Sebastian' while other parts of the street are seen in 'Incense for the Damned'.

61 years later. (SR)

Major Hall reaches the building where he has an appointment with Calder, the Director of the laboratories where Professor Sharpie worked. Di Davies places this as what was Slough College on William Street, Slough in Buckinghamshire which was built in the 1950s with three identical towers. Subsequently it became part of the University of West London Campus but was closed in 2010. The College also appears in 'David Brent - Life on the Road'. (RL)

With access denied, Mike Gerrish provides the best possible angle of the location, showing that changes have indeed taken place. He adds that the classroom/laboratory blocks are in the process of being demolished. (RL)

A film featuring Professor Sharpey explaining his work on sensory deprivation is shown to the Major. Slough College on William Street, Slough located by Di Davies. (RL)

Tate cycles from the labs after his meeting with Major Hall. This is the roadway between the former Department of Pharmacology Laboratories and the Dyson Perrins Chemical Laboratory on South Parks Road, Oxford.

Carrying a tape recording for Mrs. Longman, Tate rides off towards Doctor Longman's home. South Parks Road with Rhodes House in the right background.

A major modernisation project is taking place at Rhodes House. (SR)

Across Merton Field stands Merton College with the Chapel tower prominent.

Tate reaches the roads near Doctor Longman's house. Christopher Pope identifies Riverdale Road in Twickenham, Middlesex with the gates to "Carbery", his Parents' home between from 1955 and 2010, at number 11 in the background. The film was set in Autumn and Christopher adds that his Parents' were asked to take down their summer umbrella which would have been visible.

John Harwood found a choice of bikes when he visited.

The street sign reads Norham Gardens, which is in Oxford, but there are several inconsistencies with the location so the sign may be a prop. Christopher Pope solves the mystery advising that this is the junction of Riverdale Road and Riverdale Gardens in Twickenham where a prop post box was also added . . . which a local resident didn't realise and used it to post a letter! The background gates and conservatory belong to the property "Green Hedges", aptly named given its laurel frontage.

Tate dismounts and leans his bike against the wall. Facing "Green Hedges" on Riverdale Gardens, identified by Christopher Pope. The property was demolished circa 1968-70 and replaced with a block of flats that retained the Green Hedges name.

After asking the Doctor's many children if their father is in, Tate enters the house. Within the grounds of "Green Hedges" on Riverdale Gardens, Twickenham, found by Christopher Pope. Too young to recall events,

Doctor Longman takes his wife Oonagh for a drive to their favourite spot. The Trout Inn on Godstow Road, Lower Wolvercote with Godstow Bridge crossing the River Thames in the foreground.

On a visit to The Trout, Steve Randall took a short walk to secure this comparison.

Tate returns to the labs to find Major Hall examining the isolation tank. Another shot of Slough College, see Capture 16. (RL)

Morning dawns in Oxford. This is facing west on High Street. Martin Cotton adds that Queen's College stands in the right distance with the Church of All Saints, now Lincoln College Library, to its left and the University Examination Schools are on the left of the capture.

Less trafffic in this comparison. (SR)

One of the more eccentric residents exits a newsagent in his dressing gown. Broad Street with the corner of Turl Street in the background where Martin Cotton advises that the Exeter College building on the far corner was demolished and replaced in the 1960s.

Postcards replace newspapers in the shop today. (SR)

Doctor Henry Longman (Dirk Bogarde) comes around after an extended period immersed in the isolation tank. Another shot of Slough College, see Capture 16. (RL)

Mrs. Longman heads to the laboratory in their newly acquired 1931 Lagonda. Looking south-westward on South Parks Road with Rhodes House to the centre.

Rhodes House surrounded by construction workers. (SR)

Oonagh Longman (Mary Ure) holds onto her husband as the couple walk away from the laboratories. Another shot of Slough College, see Capture 16. (RL)

Tate again cycles to visit Oonagh and Henry. This appears to be along the River Cherwell, below Magdalene Bridge in Oxford.

Merton Field with Merton College Chapel to the right and the tower of Christ Church Cathedral in the left distance.

A rare gap in the bushes here provides this view. (SR)

Autumn leaves fall from the trees as Tate rides along Christ Church Meadow Walk on the east side of Merton Field.

Let's take another look at this junction that's supposedly on Norham Gardens. Christopher Pope explains that Riverdale Road lies to the left, Riverdale Gardens to the right with Ravensbourne Road ahead and the gate post and wall of "Green Hedges" on the extreme right. Christopher adds that his "Parents' recounted many times their experiences the day the filming took place outside their house. Indeed, the locality was regularly used for filming, being a quiet area and just a five minute stroll from Twickenham Film Studios."

Tate reaches the Longman's home where all is not well inside. Facing "Green Hedges" on Riverdale Gardens in Twickenham identified by Christopher Pope.

Tate walks slowly from the house after discovering that his friend's love for his now pregnant wife has disappeared. The garden of "Green Hedges" on Riverdale Gardens in Twickenham, Middlesex located by Christopher Pope.

A bonfire night party is held at the college.

Cycling along the river, a Rowing Coach (Terence Alexander) urges his men on.

Major Hall drives Doctor Longman away for breakfast after finding that the fully recovered Doctor helped Oonagh give birth to their latest child.