Traitors, The (1962)

An overview of a city with a distinctive building in the foreground.

Ray Glenister provides the answer, The Wilkins Building, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1 supported by a capture from Google Earth. We are not likely to do better than that!

The camera pans the skyline and settles on a road…… North Gower Street, London NW1 says Ray looking north.

…before focusing on a car travelling towards the camera. Ray places the car as in North Gower Street, London NW1 opposite the junction with Euston Street.

From inside the Reception of an office building we see the car approaching. That has to be an identifiable underground station in the center background, indeed, Identified by Ray Glenister as that of Euston Square on the corner of Euston Road and North Gower Street and subsequently confirmed by Peter Ayton.

Replacing Ray's 2018 GEV. Looking directly north. SJ

It pulls up outside and John Lane (Patrick Allen) and Col. Burlinson (Ewan Roberts) get out to visit General Waring of the American Secret Services. The building and approach has been totally re-developed and absorbed into the expanded University College Hospital.

Panning right to take in more of Euston Road. SJ

Burton (Jack May) a suspect worker on the “Tiger Project” leaves for a break, “out on the town”. Antony Blair advises that this is the gateway and building adjacent to the old main entrance to Pinewood Studios on Pinewood Road in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire.

Facing south at the same location by Antony.

As he drives off down the road a “telephone engineer” up the ladder reports his departure . . . . Looking south on Pinewood Road, Iver Heath located by Antony Blair.

Evidence from Antony.

. . . . to an agent waiting at a roundabout . . . Recognised by Antony, this is looking onto Pinewood Road in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire from the car park of the Crooked Billet public house.

Taken from roughly the same spot by Antony.

. . . . who has him in his sights. Antony Blair identifies this as looking north-west from the Crooked Billet on the A412 Uxbridge Road.

And here's Antony's proof.

Establishing that Burton spends a short period at a cinema, arrangements are made to be there the next time he “goes out on the town”. The former Grange Cinema, Messina Avenue and Kilburn High Road.

The "cinema" frontage has changed with its usage, now the "UCKG 24hr Help Centre".

Lane patiently waits for Burton to arrive and sees a taxi drawing up outside the cinema.

You would severely restrict traffic flow if you parked there now.

Burton pays off the driver.

Equally, it would be very difficult to be dropped off there now.

Inside the cinema he meets with Dr Lindt (Jeffrey Segal) who shoots him dead.

Substantial changes have been made to the frontage.

As he walks away he is “tailed”.

Now once again.

Lane returns to the cinema. Messina Avenue, London NW6

Not so easy to take the same angle shot these days.

Dr Lindt, leaves his surgery and Lane decides to “take a look at his surgery” now he has full information on him. The junction of Elgin Crescent and Kensington Park Road, London W11

Nobody looking quite so desperate today.

Lane and NATO security man Ray Ellis (James Maxwell) discuss the fact that Dr Lindt is now being “tailed”. Portobello Road, London W11, various lengths of which make an appearance in a number of productions including ‘Otley’, ‘Notting Hill’, ‘Pressure’, ‘The Wind of Change’, ‘Breaking Glass’, 'Seven Green Bottles', ‘West 11’, ‘The Moon Over the Alley’, 'Don't Open till Christmas', 'Bullet to Beijing', ‘Tonite Let's All Make Love in London’, ‘Mantrap’, ‘The File of the Golden Goose’, ‘The Italian Job’, ‘Villain’, ‘Who Done It?’, ‘The Gentle Trap’ and ‘The Mine and the Minotaur’.

The market continues to flourish.

“Just the one?” enquires Ellis, "No, that's our taxi" replies Lane. Unknown location but it doesn't appear to follow on from Portobello Road. It doesn't follow on because Ray Glenister has found that it is Kensal Road, with the remains of St Thomas' Church on the corner with East Row, since rebuilt in contemporary design. To the right was red brick 'Pharmaceutical Warehouse' that survived the re-development and is now 'Canalot Studios' offering office and studio space. Both can also be seen in 'Very Edge'.

The tower of the rebuilt St Thomas' church remains visible in this shot from Richard Bennett.

They walk towards their car to decide upon a place that they can set up to monitor events. Elgin Crescent looking towards Colville Terrace, London W11

Very much a similar scene.

The perfect place where no one would notice “Comings and goings” a bookmakers, or "Turf Accountants" as they were then. 8 Elgin Crescent, London W11

The number of motorcycles have grown now they have a place of their own.

Mrs Lindt (Anne Padwick) leaves the surgery, Ellis follows jumping on the bus as it pulls away. No 15 bus but I haven't worked out which stop. It would appear that the No 15 was off route and hired for the occasion as Ray provides the location as Harrow Road near to Amberley Road hidden behind Mrs Lindt. Denis Hoare adds that the building in the background, to the right of the bus, was The Neeld Arms at 362 Harrow Road and the corner of Marylands Road, now being converted into flats. (RL)

If only I could tell the full story behind this shot from Richard Bennett that replaces a long outstanding GEV, it has robbery, timing, coincidence, opportunity and even a happy ending. (RL)

Followed by Mason (John Brown) who hails a taxi. See Capture 21

Richard Bennett found that other than the substantial tree growth much remains the same despite the passing of 63 years.

Mrs Lindt is next seen entering Horse Guards off Whitehall, London followed by Ellis.

I wonder if Mrs Lindt would have been concerned about the armed policeman?

They enter Horse Guard’s Parade with Lane still observing.

More information and advertising material to read while you wait now.

She appears unaware of Ellis blending with the passing horses and riders.

They are still clearing up after Trooping the Colour.

Mason continues to watch from afar.

The Palace of Whitehall on the corner of Horse Guards Avenue seen from Horse Guards, London SW1

They walk on into St James’s Park.

The benches have gone.

There she takes a seat as Ellis walks on past.

Difficult to be exact without the benches to count.

Mason unobtrusively joins Ellis as a “suspect” approaches the scene.

The trees on the right have certainly grown.

The said suspect, Venner (Mark Singleton) sits on the seat adjoining Mrs Lindt where he leaves a newspaper for her to pick up.

I knew Venner and Mrs Lindt were plants!

He walks off followed by Mason. St. James's Park with Pall Mall and Carlton House Terrace in the background.

The gates etc are in alignment so Pall Mall and Carlton House Terrace must be behind those trees.

Venner hesitates at the Guard's Memorial.

A more legible shot.

A poignant reminder of warfare and the military action and its cost.

Notwithstanding, strife continues in our World.

Lane makes his way to the bookmakers. Elgin Crescent looking towards Colville Terrace.

Surprising how little has changed with regard to parking.

The team track Dr. Lindt going on a bus to the Harrow Road.

I didn't have long to wait for a bus to enter the scene.

And over Ha’penny Bridge. The bridge at the north end of Wedlake Street W10 appears in 'Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective' and 'Pressure' and was replaced in 1990.

It is difficult to know what angle to take with the Bridge having been moved.

Meanwhile his “tail”, Mason, prepares to follow.

I caught a quiet moment.

By the time he reached the other side of the bridge there is no sign of Lindt. The steps also appear in "Pressure".

The steps have been replaced by a user friendly slope.

Not at the street corner so he must have entered the Bath House and Mason misses the person Lindt was meeting. Wedlake Street to Kensal Road, London W10.

At least the GPO box and the pedestrian crossing remain.

Dr Lindt (Jeffrey Segal) leaves his surgery to meet Venner (Mark Singleton) outside “The Ministry” as secret information has been "fed" into their system. Elgin Crescent, London W11

Fitting that the premises should now be "Neal's Yard Remedies".

He walks past neighbouring shops.

Thankfully, the green tiles remain.

The scene moves to Parliament Square and the telephone box, the agreed "meeting place".

We will have to accept the scaffolding for some time to come.

Venner comes down the Clive Steps, London SW1……..

Dress is more casual these days.

...and walks to the telephone box in Parliament Square.

The telephone box has been moved.

Meanwhile Burton (Jack May) walks past unobtrusively….

This box appears to be the favourite for tourists to have their photo taken......I found a very brief moment.

…and momentarily stops to watch Dr Lindt on the other side of the road….

A more colourful but unchanged scene.

…..as Dr Lindt crosses to collect the instructions left for him in a telephone book.

It was not easy to capture the angle with the telephone situated where it is now.

He exits to hail a waiting cab. Great George Street off Parliament Square.

An ideal place for a wedding photo.

Another cab gets to him first and Burton enters the cab behind and they set off together. Parliament Square looking into Great George Street.

With the street shut off to traffic the chance of hailing a cab was nil.

A message is sent to an undercover car to continue to follow. Cockspur Street with Nelson's Column left centre background.

If one is patient a gap eventually appears in the traffic.

The Renault Dauphine takes over from the taxi that pulls in to the kerb side. Cockspur Street, London SW1.

Yes, the bus to my right would have soon filled the scene.

Instructions are given for car 4 to drop back and car 3 to take over. Regent Street, London W1 with Vigo Street right of centre.

I am sure the flags were not out because it was the last shot of the day.

In an effort to give his pursuers “the slip” Lindt leaves the taxi and stands at a bus stop but they catch sight of him as they pass. Harrow Road with Lord Hills Bridge off to the right and Lord Hills Road to the left now lost below the Westway. This section of road also features in 'Secret People' while Lord Hills Bridge can be seen in 'This Happy Breed'.

The junction as it is now.

Pulling over shortly after Mary (Jacqueline Ellis) gets out of the car to tail him. Harrow Road with Torquay Road off to the left after the petrol station.

The petrol station remains and is still dispensing "Shell" fuel.

John Lane (Patrick Allen) follows in his car…… Harrow Road, London W2 just passing Chichester Place. The Stafford Hotel/Public House is just right of center background.

A little further forward than I would have wished but the alternative was a blank wall.

…and turns right. Ranelagh Bridge, London W2

Despite the significant road changes it is still possible to obtain a reasonable shot.

Lindt alights from the bus to walk over Ha’penny Steps Bridge also featured in Quadrophenia and Pressure.

The old bridge, that was to the left has clearly been replaced but the wider shot sets the scene.

He looks back to see if he is being followed

Best possible shot given the changes.

Re-assured that he is not, he carries on. Wedlake Street, London W10

The staircase has been replaced by a user friendly slope.

And enters the Baths and Wash Houses in Wedlake Street to hand over the report he had collected.

The wash house has long gone.

Lane tells his driver to ask all cars to get there right away and enters the baths to make an arrest, a shooting and a fight ensues until arrests are made.

Not only have we lost the wash houses but Patrick Allen as well.