Ethel & Ernest
Date: 2016
Director: Roger Mainwood
Production Company: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), British Film Institute (BFI), Ffilm Cymru Wales
Stars: Jim Broadbent (voice), Brenda Blethyn (voice), Luke Treadaway (voice), Roger Allam (voice)
Location(s): London (Studio)
Region(s): London E-G
Storyline:
Shown at the London Film Festival in 2016, this animated film follows the story of graphic novelist Raymond Briggs’ parents as they live their lives from the 1920s to the 1970s.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
From a film created by 67,680 individual hand-drawn frames, here are 49 captures . . . . .
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- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
London 1928 . . . the view is looking north from the vicinity of Battersea with the Thames meandering its way towards the Houses of Parliament in the distance.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
“There was nothing extraordinary about my Mum and Dad. Nothing dramatic. No divorce or anything. But they were my parents, and I wanted to remember them. And this is their story.”
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
The shot finds a back street off a main road which is home to the Briggs family.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Saying “bye” to his Mum, Ernest Briggs (voiced by Jim Broadbent) climbs onto his bicycle.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
The happy young man cycles through London on his way to work.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Ernest rides past a house where maid Ethel Bowyer (voiced by Brenda Blethyn) leans from a window as she polishes the panes.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
All week, Ernest passes the house where Ethel works before introducing himself with a bunch of flowers on Friday.
- Capture 8
- 01 Apr 2020
On their first date the two go to the pictures. The Coronation Cinema at 501 High Street North in Manor Park E12 . . . .
. . . . still standing in real life. (PW)
- Capture 9
- 01 Apr 2020
Leaving the cinema, the couple walk through London’s West End. This is Strand WC2 with the Gaiety Theatre at the corner of Aldwych in the right background.
The Gaiety Theatre was demolished in 1956. (PW)
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
As they watch people entering the Pavilion Ballroom, Ernest is shocked to find that it costs 5/- to get in.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Agreeing that the venue is a bit posh, the two make a date to go dancing at the church hall on the following Saturday.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Ernest comments about the nice blooms when Ethel takes him home to meet her Mum and Dad.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Ethel tells Ernest that she grew up here with her ten siblings as the two make their way to the front door.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
As they wait for the bus in the rain, Ernest tells Ethel that his home isn’t as nice as hers.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
A number 12A bus approaches whilst Ernest tells Ethel about the rag and bone men and people fighting where he lives.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
The bus carries Ethel and Ernest away.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
Ernest carries her case from the house when Ethel leaves her employment.
- Capture 18
- 01 Apr 2020
Ethel worries about the mortgage for a £825 terraced house. Facing number 65 Ashen Grove in Wimbledon Park SW19.
The same terrace, with cars and vans preventing a pleasant comparison. (PW)
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
Following their wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Briggs pose for photographs.
- Capture 20
- 01 Apr 2020
Now working as a milkman, Ernest nears the end of his round. The corner of Ashen Grove and Alverstone Avenue.
The same corner with added scaffolding. (PW)
- Capture 21
- 01 Apr 2020
Outside the local station, a News-vendor (voiced by Duncan Wisbey) announces that Hitler has been made Chancellor of Germany. Facing Wimbledon Park station on Arthur Road in Wimbledon SW19.
Easily recognisable as the same place. (PW)
- Capture 22
- 01 Apr 2020
Visiting the park with their son Raymond (voiced by Harry Collett), Ethel and Ernest hold his hands as they walk down steps next to The Balcony tea room. The building stands inside Wimbledon Park and the steps lead from Home Park Road SW19.
The pavilion survives as a police station. (PW)
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required
With the news from Germany filling newspapers, the Briggs family take a holiday at the coast.
- Capture 24
- 01 Apr 2020
When war becomes a reality, the Government announces that one and a half million children are to be evacuated from large cities. A stylised Paddington station in W2 with Bishop’s Road Bridge crossing the railway in the bottom left corner.
Three arches out of four ain't bad considering the reality of the location. (PW)
- Capture 25
- 01 Apr 2020
GWR Castle Class locomotive number 5000 Launceston Castle waits to carry evacuees to safety.
The same platform and roof. (PW)
- Capture 26
- 01 Apr 2020
Raymond’s parents watch as the train departs. The oddly out of sequence platform 3 at Paddington station.
To the right of centre stands one of the pillars depicted in the capture. (PW)
- Capture 27
- 01 Apr 2020
Ernest holds Ethel close as the train takes five year old Raymond to Dorset. The end of the platforms at Paddington station in London W2.
Not that easy to recreate. (PW)
- Capture 28
- 01 Apr 2020
A newly delivered Anderson shelter is constructed in the back garden at 65 Ashen Grove.
With grateful thanks to Mrs. J. Cardozo for allowing access. (PW)
- Capture 29
- 'Now' required
Ernest volunteers for the Auxiliary Fire Service.
- Capture 30
- 'Now' required
Radio newscasts report the evacuation of Dunkirk.
- Capture 31
- 'Now' required
Scrap metal, including fences, tin baths and pots and pans is collected to build Spitfires.
- Capture 32
- 01 Apr 2020
The Auxiliary Fire Service respond to enemy bombing raids. This view suggests Dean’s Court in EC4 with St. Paul’s Cathedral on St. Paul’s Churchyard in the background.
Almost a match. (PW)
- Capture 33
- 'Now' required
Raymond waves when he sees his parents talking to Aunty Flo (voiced by Gillian Hanna) and Aunty Betty (voiced by Pam Ferris) after they arrive from London on a visit.
- Capture 34
- 'Now' required
Ethel hears how Raymond is getting on well at school along with boys from Lambeth and Bermondsey.
- Capture 35
- 01 Apr 2020
Another bombing raid hits London. With what looks like St. Paul’s Cathedral beyond a railway bridge in the right distance, this could be a depiction of Fleet Street near Ludgate Circus in EC4.
With the bridge beyond Ludgate Circus since removed, its not easy to argue for the location. (PW)
- Capture 36
- 'Now' required
Ernest and his colleagues fight fires in the City.
- Capture 37
- 'Now' required
The Firemen turn their attention to another outbreak of flames.
- Capture 38
- 'Now' required
Crumbling buildings topple into the street below.
- Capture 39
- 01 Apr 2020
VE Day is celebrated with a street party. Ashen Grove in Wimbledon Park.
A fairly similar view. (PW)
- Capture 40
- 'Now' required
Returning home after the war, Raymond is kitted out with his grammar school uniform. Could this be The Broadway in Wimbledon Park?
- Capture 41
- 'Now' required
Ernest shows off his new electric milk float. Ashen Grove SW19.
- Capture 42
- 'Now' required
Continuing with deliveries, the Morrison milk float hums along the road.
- Capture 43
- 'Now' required
Alf (voiced by Simon Day) tells a shocked Ernest that his wife is getting too much for him.
- Capture 44
- 'Now' required
Enjoying time together, Ethel and Ernest take a cycle ride through the countryside before learning that Raymond has passed the school certificate.
- Capture 45
- 01 Apr 2020
An older Raymond Briggs (voiced by Luke Treadaway) drives away from home on his Lambretta. Ashen Grove, Wimbledon Park SW19.
A gloomier view on a rainy day. (PW)
- Capture 46
- 'Now' required
Ethel and Ernest go to see the house on the South Downs that Raymond is buying with Jean (voiced by Karyn Claydon).
- Capture 47
- 01 Apr 2020
Ernest pushes his ailing wife through the park in her wheelchair. Wimbledon Park in SW19 with, seemingly, buildings on Melrose Avenue in the background.
This is what can really be seen from opposite the pavilion in Wimbledon Park. (PW)
- Capture 48
- 01 Apr 2020
The two look across at a shuttered building “They used to do nice teas in The Balcony before the war.” Wimbledon Park off Home Park Road in SW19.
Taken from the footpath running beside the rain soaked grass. (PW)
- Capture 49
- 01 Apr 2020
In the back garden of number 65 after both his parents have passed away, Raymond and Jean look up at the pear tree that was grown from a pip. The house still stands on Ashen Grove in Wimbledon Park SW19.
With thanks once again to Mrs. Cardozo. (PW)