Corpse, The
Date: 1971
Director: Viktors Ritelis
Production Company: Abacus Productions, London-Cannon Films
Stars: Michael Gough, Yvonne Mitchell, Olaf Pooley, Sharon Gurney
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, London
Region(s): London C-D, South East A-D
Storyline:
A mother and her daughter hatch a scheme to murder their family’s domineering and sadistic patriarch.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
Also known as ‘Crucible of Horror’ (US Title)
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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Well heeled Walter Eastwood (Michael Gough) returns to the house after pruning plants in his garden. Magna Carta House, Magna Carta Island, Wraysbury in Buckinghamshire as established by J. Rooney. Also appearing later in the film, the house can also be seen in 'The End of the Affair'. (RL)
- Capture 2
- 20 Sep 2020
Nearby, Benjy Smith (Nicholas Jones) leaves home and walks towards his van. Mostyn Road in London SW19 located by Jim Potter.
The hedges mask much of the past. (PW)
- Capture 3
- 20 Sep 2020
The young man watches his neighbour Jane cycle past. Rob Mac directed us to the suburb and Jim Potter pinned down the street as Mostyn Road in Merton. Other parts of the road appear in 'Death Goes to School' and 'Solo for Sparrow'.
The house prominent to the right has been extended. (PW)
- Capture 4
- 20 Sep 2020
Jane Eastwood (Sharon Gurney) turns a corner and rides on to the house where she lives with her parents and brother Rupert. Mostyn Road, facing the corner of Church Path located by Jim Potter.
Recognisable as the same corner. (PW)
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
As his daughter prepares poison upstairs, the abusive patriarch looks out from the front door after seeing Benjy watching from the gate. Once again Magna Carta House, Magna Carta Island, Wraysbury, Staines TW19 says J. Rooney. (RL)
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Walter sets off alone for a shooting weekend at the family's cottage in the country. Negotiating a roundabout, a footbridge comes into view ahead, which is reflected in the car's paintwork.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Leaving the urban landscape behind, rural buildings are passed as the journey continues.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
The Bentley cruises along country lanes.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Walter arrives at the remote retreat.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
With the intention of killing Walter, his wife Edith and Jane follow him to the cottage.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
The sky above the cottage's gateway is reflected in the Mk.1 Cortina's roof.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Another reflection finds the cottage in a puddle with the two women walking quietly towards the front door.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Edith Eastwood (Yvonne Mitchell) turns a key in the lock and the pair enter.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
The two women recall moments of Walter's cruelty as they administered poison in his whisky before placing him in bed.
- Capture 15
- 20 Sep 2020
The following morning, Benji arrives outside the Eastwood's house before phoning Jane. Jim Potter identifies this as the corner of Mostyn Road and Church Path in Merton SW19.
Not quite the same angle or focal length, but the same location. (PW)
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Benji looks up at the windows as Jane wakes with a start.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
Jane and her mother discuss what they have done in the garden of their house.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required
Receiving no answer when phoning his father, Rupert sends his mother and sister to the cottage where they find Walter's body missing.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
After Edith and Jane find Walter's body in a crate outside the cottage, Mr. Reid (Olaf Pooley) rides away after calling.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required
Edith and Jane struggle to lift the crate into the back of their car.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
On the drive from the cottage, Edith and Jane pass a petrol station.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
The Cortina is driven through an abandoned quarry workings where the crate is pushed over a cliff. Betchworth Quarry in Surrey with the lime kilns to the left. The location has been used several times before and also appears in 'Scream and Scream Again', 'The Break' and 'The Counterfeit Plan'.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required
As eerie happenings begin to occur at home, Rupert Eastwood (Simon Gough) stops to call his mother.
- Capture 24
- 01 Oct 2020
Benji posts a letter through the Eastwood's door . . . behind which Walter picks it up. J. Rooney recognises this as Magna Carta House, Magna Carta Island, Wraysbury, Staines TW19 that also appears in 'The End of the Affair'......and provides, unusually, a shot from above for a ground level capture. (RL)
Very little it would seem has changed, well it is Grade ll listed. (RL)