Where the Spies Are

Date: 1966
Director: Val Guest
Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Stars: David Niven, Françoise Dorléac, Cyril Cusack, John Le Mesurier
Location(s): Beirut, Hertfordshire, London, Mount Lebanon

Region(s): , ,

Storyline:

Following an assassination in the Middle East, a Doctor who previously carried out intelligence work is recruited as a spy to fulfill an important mission which is complicated by the appearance of a double agent.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

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"You must know your enemy. He's ruthless. He's cunning" A former MI6 Operative shows his audience of Russian of Agents a film entitled 'Technique of British Intelligence - No. 1 Concealed Weapons' featuring a number of British Agents.

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Peter Rosser (Cyril Cusack), code initial K, appears on the screen carrying four of the six weapons demonstrated in the film.

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Working under cover as a Professor of Archaeology, Rosser crosses the road towards the Post Office where he sends a telegram to Trent Brothers in Bombay. Facing the Hôtel des Postes et Télégraphes, Beirut Central Post Office, Riad El Solh.

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Leaving the building, Rosser heads back to Hotel Al Cazar. Martyrs' Square in Beirut.

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Rosser lifts a newspaper to cover his face as a Tourist Photographer aims his camera. Looking towards El Shouhada on the east side of Martyrs' Square, Beirut with a building on the corner of Gemmayez to the extreme left.

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The British spy walks past the Photographer who moves on to his next target. The now almost unrecognisable Martyrs' Square in Beirut with the Martyrs' Monument to the right. The location also features in 'Only When I Larf'.

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Checking the road before crossing, Rosser continues towards the hotel.

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Reaching the other side of the road, Rosser enters the building where he finds a message waiting for him behind the unattended reception desk.

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Two Russian Agents (Gábor Baraker and George Pravda) escort Rosser from the hotel towards a waiting car.

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Across the street, a Driver (Riyad Gholmieh) opens the door of his car for a group of Tourists.

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Searching him during the journey, the Agents drive Rosser from the city.

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The camera follows the vehicle as it passes.

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At their destination, the two Agents and Rosser get out of the pre-war Packard saloon. Jon Kennedy identifies the background as the Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek, Lebanon.

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Rosser is led through ancient ruins. Jon Kennedy recognised the Temple of Jupiter at Baalbek.

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Using the one piece of equipment the enemy Agents didn't remove from him, Rosser temporarily blinds the two men but is shot as he makes a bid to escape. Baalbek in Lebanon located by Jon Kennedy.

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With the telegram to Trent Brothers cancelled by the enemy Agents, in Bombay, a priority cable is sent to London.

On his motorcycle, a Telegram Messenger rides towards Mack Travel in Covent Garden with the message "Still no form available on Middle East state. Stop. Your horse may be non runner. Signature Trent Brothers." Looking south-west on Covent Garden WC2 with Henrietta Street in the left background and St. Paul's church to the right.

A brighter and more populated view of the location. (PW)

The Messenger turns the corner from Covent Garden into King Street.

The corner now. (PW)

Outside the Mack Travel Agency, the Messenger dismounts to deliver the telegram. Facing the door of number 5 King Street in WC2.

A little rearrangement has taken place here. (PW)

Having read the message, MacGillivray makes his way to see Dr. Love, an acquaintance from during the war and owner of a Cord 812 Phaeton. Geoff Dodd tells us that the car is parked outside 'Roundbush House', Roundbush Lane, Aldenham in Hertfordshire near the junction with Primrose Lane. (RL)

Antony Blair took this slightly off angle to get a clearer shot of the gateway.

Douglas MacGillivray (John Le Mesurier) introduces himself to Dr. Jason Love (David Niven) as he prepares to set off on vacation. As referred to in the previous capture, the two are standing outside 'Roundbush House, with the public house in the background being 'The Round Bush'. (RL)

The same, rather busier location captured by Antony.

Discussing the classic car, Dr. Love drives away with MacGillivray. Roundbush Lane, Aldenham in Hertfordshire. (RL)

A reverse point of view from Antony Blair.

MacGillivray's Chauffeur follows the Phaeton. Geoff Dodd tells us that this is Aldenham Road looking towards The Green in Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire with the oft-used Three Horseshoes public house in the left distance. (RL)

And Antony Blair provides the comparison shot.

Revving the noisy engine, Dr. Love corners. The junction of Aldenham Road and Butterfly Lane in Aldenham, Hertfordshire.

The same junction revisited by Antony.

Facing The Battle Axes public house at the corner of Aldenham Road and Butterfly Lane in Aldenham, which also features in 'Man Accused', 'A Woman of Mystery', 'Not Now Comrade', ' A doppia faccia' and 'Wings of Mystery'

Avoiding the corner fence, Antony Blair took this slightly closer view.

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The Doctor responds to MacGillivray's enquiry about the brakes by not quite stopping on a sixpence. Geoff says that this is also Aldenham Road, but nearer to The Battleaxes public house. (RL)

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Bringing the car to a stand after a problem with the carburettor, Dr. Love reluctantly agrees to help MacGillivray by attending a malaria conference in Beirut under cover. Steve Blanchard identifies Theobald Street, a mile or so towards Borehamwood from Radlett in Hertfordshire and remembers the Cord coming into the premises of a car dealer who supplied vehicles to the studios in Borehamwood and the owner telling him it belonged to the author James Lessor and was going too be used in a film based on a book that he'd written.

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The Doctor flies from London to Rome where he meets Vikki, a fashion model and his contact.

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With three hours to wait for the plane to Beirut, Vikki takes Dr. Love to her apartment in Rome. Via dell'Arco di Settimio, which no longer exists as a roadway.

As Vikki's white sports car drives from view, the camera tilts up to reveal Chiesa Santi Luca e Martina martiri behind Arco di Settimio Severo on Via dell'Arco di Settimio. The arch can also be seen in 'Blue Murder at St. Trinian’s', 'Roman Holiday' and 'Light in the Piazza'.

Perhaps I should be just a tad more to the right. SJ

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Delaying his journey before seeing his original flight explode in mid-air. Dr. Love lands in Beirut later that day. The airport also features in 'Only When I Larf'.

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The Doctor disembarks with other Passengers.

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Across the tarmac, a Soviet 'Dove of Peace' pauses on its world tour.

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The Passengers continue towards the terminal. Beirut International Airport also appears in 'Only When I Larf'.

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Dr. Love's cab carries him from the airport.

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The shot follows the cab as it negotiates a roundabout.

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Checking in at the Hotel Al Cazar, Dr. Love looks out over Beirut from his room before sending a telegram from the same Post Office that Rosser had visited.

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Discovering each other while searching Rosser's room, Dr. Love and Richard Parkington (Nigel Davenport) leave the hotel and get into a taxi, asking the Driver about Rosser before taking them to a club.

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Later that evening the two men are called out of Le Chat Noir by their Taxi Driver (Riyad Gholmieh) who leads them to the Driver who saw Rosser leave the hotel with two men in a black Packard 8.

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Dr. Love picks his way through traffic to reach the Post Office to ask about Rosser's cancelled message. The entrance to Beirut's Central Post Office at the corner of Riad El Solh and Cheikh Mohammed El Jisr.

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In search of clues about the Packard, Dr. Love visits a garage specialising in American cars.

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Hearing hammering inside the garage, the Doctor looks for the proprietor.

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Mr. Farouk is found with his legs sticking out from under a Chevrolet.

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Dr. Love explains that his brother in law suggested that he talk to him.

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Finding that the Doctor is a classic car lover, Alfonse Farouk (Eric Pohlmann) grabs his coat to show his membership badge for the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club.

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Farouk recalls seeing a Packard 8 being driven into a garage at a house on the road to Khalde.

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Getting into a Pontiac Parisienne, Farouk drives Dr. Love to collect Parkington at Hotel Le Capitole.

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The Doctor finds Parkington at his hotel as he returns from "urgent business".

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Setting off to continue searching for the Packard, Dr. Love and Parkington walk towards Farouk who opens the doors of the Pontiac.

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As Parkington takes a hand written note from his pocket, Farouk drives the two men from the hotel.

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The Doctor reads that the assassination of Prince of Zahlouf is to take place the following day at Byblos.

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Stopping near the property on the outskirts of the city where the Packard was seen, Parkington and Dr. Love get out of the car.

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The two operatives survey the building.

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As a Muezzin recites the call to prayer in the distance, Parkington and Dr. Love begin to search the deserted looking property.

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Having found the car inside the garage, Dr. Love helps Parkington from the building after a fight with the Russian Agents.

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Dr. Love and the injured Parkington stagger towards cover.

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After Parkington dies, Dr. Love empties the agent's pockets and leaves his body.

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In another part of the city, an ambulance carries the surviving Russian Agent to Dr. Andre Simmias.

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The ambulance enters the driveway of the surgery where an Assassin is discussing the following day's plans with the nationalistic Doctor.

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After clearing out Parkington's hotel room, Dr. Love cautiously leaves the building.

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The Doctor arrives back at Hotel Al Cazar where he becomes aware that there is someone in his room.

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After finding Vikki hiding in the bathroom, Dr. Love flees from the hotel with her following an attempt on his life.

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Dr. Love and Vikki (Françoise Dorléac) make their way from the busy streets.

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After Vikki tells him that his plane leaves in an hour, the Doctor refuses to leave.

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Vikki reveals that she is working for "the other side".

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Dr. Love watches as the double agent turns and walks away.

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Vikki call a taxi over to take the Doctor to the airport.

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The sound of Police sirens and cheering onlookers fill the air at Byblos. Byblos in the in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon with the 12th century Byblos Castle dominating the city.

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Accompanied by Outriders, a motorcade passes through the streets.

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Horse-riders trot into view.

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Dr. Love scans the crowd as they clap and wave flags when Prince of Zahlouf's car drives into view.

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The Cadillac Convertible comes to a halt beneath the castle.

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Ululation continues while onlookers lining the castle walls watch the Prince get out of the car.

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On one of the castle parapets, Dr. Love spots a photo-shoot in progress.

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The Doctor races up a flight of steps towards Vikki and the Riflemen.

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Accompanied by his Aides, the Prince makes his way through the castle.

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Dr. Love slows as he finds his way along dim passages.

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Checking that he's heading in the right direction, the Doctor continues upwards.

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Vikki turns as Dr. Love calls her name.

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Moving his gaze from Vikki, Dr. Love sees that one of the Riflemen is aiming his weapon towards the Prince.

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Dr. Love runs forward, knocking the Rifleman to the ground.

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After an Onlooker falls to the ground when a shot is fired, Soldiers race to apprehend the Doctor when he takes the gun from the Assassin. The minaret of Sultan Abdul Majid mosque stands in the right background.

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Dr. Love escapes onto the roof of the castle.

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The sound of a helicopter grows louder. Looking out over the Mediterranean Sea from Byblos Castle with Byblos Port to the bottom left.

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Dr. Love grabs hold of a rope ladder let down from the Aérospatiale Alouette III and is carried away from his pursuers.

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After discovering that he's been rescued by enemy agent Dr. Simmias, Dr. Love is taken to a desert outside the city.

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Stanilaus collects Dr. Love and drives him back through Beirut to the airport.

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Arriving at the airport, the drugged Doctor is taken to the 'Dove of Peace'. The terminal building at Beirut International Airport in the in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon.

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While the reluctant British spy is being interrogated aboard the peace plane, MacGillivray conveys a message to the Canadian military at Regina Lake ordering that the Russian jet is brought down. This is a chilly looking model of the Saskatchewan outpost.

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On it's round the world journey, the 'Dove of Peace' lands in Havana to a rapturous welcome. Although sporting an 'Havana' overlay, the architecture appears to be that of Beirut International Airport.