Hippopotamus, The

After a large scotch and a soak in the bath, Edward "Ted" Wallace (Roger Allam) makes his way to the theatre in order to write a review for the magazine he works for. Looking into Meard Street from Dean Street in Soho W1. Various parts of the street feature in many productions including 'Wonderland', 'Strangler's Web', 'The Dark Stairway', 'King of the Underworld', 'The Moon Over the Alley', 'Saturday Night Out', 'Decline and Fall . . . of a Birdwatcher', 'Man at the Carlton Tower', 'Danger by My Side', 'All You Need Is Cash', 'The Six Men', 'Last Night in Soho' and 'Don't Open till Christmas'.

A compromise shot from street level. PW

The titles continue to appear as the formerly famous writer and poet turns a corner to enter Dean Street.

The same corner. PW

Ted reaches The Young Vic Theatre on The Cut in SE1.

Nothing to see here at the moment. SJ

Pulling the door open, the ageing critic enters the theatre where he causes a commotion during a poorly performed play before being ejected . . . . after which he is fired as a journalist. The entrance to the Young Vic.

The show is not going on today. SJ

Ted travels to Swafford Hall after his god-daughter Jane Swann pays him to investigate a series of miracles that have occurred at the family home where she was seemingly cured of leukaemia. A reversed view of Saunderton Tunnel seen from the bridge carrying Upper Iknield Way over the line towards London to the south of Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire.

Antony Blair reversed his shot of the location, without a train.

Simon Logan (Dean Ridge) drives Ted from the station at breakneck speed. The road from Chapel Lane in High Wycombe to West Wycombe in Buckinghamshire with the Temple of the Winds, or Temple of the Four Winds, to the top left.

The kit car flies along the road towards Swafford Hall. This is the road to West Wycombe with the east portico of the house on the right beyond the estate’s ha-ha in front of the trees. The house and estate also appear in 'Give My Regards To Broad Street', 'The Young Visiters', 'To The Devil a Daughter', 'Amazing Grace', 'Decline and Fall . . . of a Birdwatcher', 'The Duchess', 'The Black Cat' and 'The Music Lovers'.

Lord and Lady Logan's home since 1984, this is Swafford Hall, where the Staff are engaged in housework and gardening. Looking across the lake towards West Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

Malcolm Tinnelly returned to the lake.

Beaters walk across the estate as Lord Michael Logan (Matthew Modine) and Lady Anne Logan (Fiona Shaw) shoot game. To the left of centre stands Sawmill House on the River Wye as it flows through West Wycombe Park and Park Farm in the distance.

Malcolm Tinnelly zoomed in on the distant buildings.

On the steps to the hall, an excited sixteen year David Logan (Tommy Knight) waits for his god-father, Uncle Ted, to arrive. Facing west outside the north front of West Wycombe.

It's a shame there was no way of keeping the "objects" beyond the steps out Malcolm's shot.

David reads as he walks through the grounds of Swafford Hall. The Temple of Venus at West Wycombe.

The grass has grown longer in Malcolm's comparison.

At 5 am the following morning, Ted wanders through the estate clutching a bottle of whisky after seeing David head away from the house. The ha-ha in West Wycombe Park with the Temple of the Winds in the distance.

After falling into the ha-ha and kicking a bucket, into which he smashes his bottle, Ted makes his way back to the hall. West Wycombe was conceived as a pleasure palace for Sir Francis Dashwood, the 2nd Baronet.

The screen capture was taken from a position that's now unavailable to the public, so Malcolm Tinnelly did his best to get the right effect without disappearing into the haha behind him.

As Madame Valerie Richmonde and her daughter Clara approach the hall, Ted comments "With its promise of aristocratic splendour and a degree of luxury that approaches debauchery. Swafford attracts a motley caravan of tight-arsed bourgeois and nervous bohemians . . . . ." The north front of West Wycombe.

The clouds add something to Malcolm's shot.

" . . . who roll up the driveway misusing the word "weekend" as a verb and wondering how soon they might send an underling down into Swafford's world-class wine cellar." The Temple of the Winds on the West Wycombe Park Estate.

Malcolm Tinnelly found the temple.

Groundsmen attend to the gravel driveway as Ted opens the door to the Richmonde's Chauffeur. Facing West Wycombe’s north front.

The scene now by Malcolm Tinnelly.

A little later, theatre director Oliver Mills (Tim McInnerny) arrives at the front door as Ted struggles with the lock. The west portico of the house.

Malcolm found the various statues still in situ.

Following lunch, over which Valerie's purchase of the Logan's horse Lilac is mentioned, Ted reads David's poetic writing as more views of the estate appear. Looking towards Toweridge Lane from West Wycombe with the fibreglass statue of a Roman emperor on horseback said to have been purchased by the 11th Baronet from Pinewood or Elstree Studios for a case of champagne.

Malcolm Tinnelly couldn't get any closer and remain within the public area . . . so it's a bit of a long shot!

David tells Ted that he'd like him to keep the poem before asking if Mummy has spoken about him. The Temple of Music, West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire.

Malcolm was glad to have the sun out for this shot.

Falling into the water whilst getting out of the boat, Ted takes off his sodden jacket as Alice picks weeds and leaves from his hair. In the right background stands one of the bridges in West Wycombe Park.

Whilst taking a slice of cake in the kitchen, Ted looks through the window to see Oliver and Valerie Richmonde (Lyne Renee) heading for the stables.

Moving outside, Ted overhears Simon telling the Vet that Lilac was alright yesterday.

That evening, Ted speaks with Michael about the miracles mentioned by Jane before David goes to the stables carrying an apple and a book. The Temple of Apollo to the south of the house at West Wycombe.

Malcolm Tinnelly's daylight view loses some of the atmosphere of the original.

Reaching the stables, the young man enters Lilac's stall. The stables courtyard at West Wycombe.

The next morning, the rather less than beautiful Clara Richmonde (Emma Curtis) wheels a barrow towards the miraculously cured horse. Looking across West Wycombe Park towards West Wycombe Cricket Club’s pavilion at the corner of Oxford Road and Toweridge Road.

Noting the distant sight screens, Malcolm Tinnelly shows that the cricket ground is still used.

Looking for David, Ted is given a lift across the estate by Simon. The Temple of the Winds at West Wycombe Park.

Also cured of his ailment, a happy Oliver finds David floating on an airbed in the swimming pool.

When David goes missing, Ted discovers from Podmore the butler that the young man spends a lot of time in the grounds. The south front of the Grade I listed house at West Wycombe.

Malcolm Tinnelly found the dreaded scaffolding . . . bottom right.

On the roof of Swafford Hall, Ted receives a text from Jane before seeing David and Clara walking across the estate together. The roof of West Wycombe House.

Ted follows the young pair into the woods in time to see Simon discover them in flagrante delicto beneath a tree. West Wycombe Park in Buckinghamshire with the southern aspect of the house in the left distance.

Injured during the experience, David lies in a ditch while Ted collects a car to take him to hospital. The stable block to the south of house at West Wycombe with the upper part of the Round Temple visible to the top right.

Ted returns to the hall alone after David tells his god-father about "the gift" on the way. The west portico at West Wycombe.

The portico today. (SR)

Too jaded to believe what David has said, Ted enters the house to find that Jane's mother Rebecca Logan has arrived. Within the west portico of West Wycombe House.

As the truth about the miracles dawns on him, Ted calls the Vet to confirm some details. Facing the house at West Wycombe with the east portico to the right of the view.

As the metal gate now has a"private" sign on it, Malcolm Tinnelly changed his viewpoint to get some of the haha in shot.

When David disappears after overhearing Ted's explanation about his powers, everyone turns out to search for him. The lower colonnade of the south front at West Wycombe.

The colonnade in sunshine. (SR)

David is taken away by ambulance after being found in a shallow grave. The north front of West Wycombe House in Buckinghamshire.

No ambulance today. (SR)

Ted Wallace locks up as he leaves his house to attend Jane Swann's funeral. Once the home of composer Muzio Clementi, this is 128 Kensington Church Street in London W8.

On the east side of the street. SJ

A hearse drives past Ted who runs after it in panic. Looking south on Kensington Church Street with The Churchill Arms public house on the corner of Campden Street to the top right.

Quieter road. SJ

Ted catches up to find that the hearse isn't carrying his god-daughter before continuing to the service. Facing the corner of Kensington Church Street and Bedford Gardens in W8.

Taken in the afternoon rather than morning. SJ