Hope and Glory

“In the dim light of early morning, perhaps also between the dim light between peace and war, the King returns to London”. Buckingham Palace, London SW1

Not a particularly great comparison but it does capture the excitement of a post-pandemic Changing of the Guard, as the Old Guard from St. James's enters the South Centre Gate. SJ

“ A few hours later His Majesty holds a Privy Council”. Sharp eyed Dave W, with an acute memory also, reminds us that this same footage was used in 'Once a Jolly Swagman' (1949), all those used previously, and that it is Parliament Street, London SW1 looking north.

The best crowd that I could gather.

“Just before lunch Mr. Chamberlain returns from an audience with the King”. 10 Downing Street, London SW1

Off angle but best we can do at the moment with thanks to Dr. Glenn Horridge (SJ)

“In the afternoon, Parliament assembles to write a new page in its long history”. Parliament Square, London SW1, looking towards 'Clock Tower' (now known as 'Elizabeth Tower') of Parliament to the right.

A wider shot to show off not only the clarity of the sky but also the removal progress of the Tower scaffolding which has plagued comparison shots over the last several years. This was taken at about 11am but the clock hands are paused at noon until the big restart. SJ

“Sunday the 3rd September 1939” The home of the Rowan family, including Bill (Sebastian Rice-Edwards) through who the story is told. ‘Rosehill Avenue’. Included for completeness as this was part of a 40-acre set constructed on the disused runway at the former Wisley Airfield, Surrey. Further detail with regard to the construction of this set can be read via the link in the Header Section above.

The Prime Minister announces that “this country is at war with Germany”. A siren sounds and the residents of ‘Rosehill Avenue’ emerge into the street. The set, included once again for completeness.

Bill and sister Sue (Geraldine Muir), watch from the car to see their father Clive (David Hayman) right, embrace a friend (Colin Higgins) having joined up. ‘The Vine’, 121 Hillingdon Hill in Uxbridge.

Antony Blair revisited the hostelry.

Following Clive ‘going off’ Bill and Sue are evacuated, taken to the station by mother Grace (Sarah Miles) Uncle Mac (Derrick O’Connor). www.railwaymoviedatabase.com reports this as a SR ‘King Arthur’ Class 4-6-0 No.777 ‘Sir Lamiel’. Marylebone Station on Melcombe Place, London NW1, also seen in 'Accidental Death', 'Dead Man's Chest', 'Postman's Knock' and many more.

Grace couldn’t bear to see the children evacuated and so they returned home and schooling. Queen’s Manor Primary School, Lysia Street, London SW6.

A film within the film showing two newly weds saying goodbye, touching upon the recent proposal for marriage made by Canadian soldier Bruce (Jean-Marc Barr) to Bill’s sister Dawn (Sammi Davis). Horsted Keynes station on the Bluebell Railway in Sussex which can be seen in several productions including ‘Mr. Holmes’, 'Metro-Land', ‘The Young Visiters’, 'The Beast in the Cellar' and ‘Adolf Hitler, My Part in His Downfall’.

John Harwood provides this more colourful and less fraught situation of the station.

Bruce is ‘posted’ and Dawn regrets that he was unkind to him when he told her the news. With deep regret she tries to catch up with him at his barracks……he has gone. Unidentified location, perhaps a studio set? Alan Pask has resolves this one for us saying, "This was at the bottom of Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, the rear entrance to the previous factory estate and White Waltham Airfield. Also when the motorcyclist travelled over the railway bridge, just before this capture, that is also in the Lane. (RL)

The following morning, ‘Uncle’ Mac, Grace, Bill and Sue spend a day at the beach. Saltdean, Brighton, West Sussex.

The sea defences were rebuilt in 1997 and a vast amount of shingle has been added to the beach. In the background are Telscombe Cliffs which can also be seen in 'Under Suspicion' (1991) (SD)

They return from the seaside to see their house in flames and go to live with Grace’s parents……… The Towpath, Shepperton, opposite the property next door but one to ‘Haroldene’ advises RL which is confirmed by Anthony Spencer as Redwood Lodge.

………..Bill’s Grandfather George (Ian Bannen) and Grannie (Annie Leon) welcome them. Pharaoh’s Island, Shepperton in Surrey.

Bill looks along the River as he awaits his Grandfather whilst Dawn announces that Grace is going to be a grandmother too.

Derek Shea found that there have been a number of changes over the intervening years.

The following morning Bill wades into the River from the Island and looks back at the property opposite on the shore. Although there have been changes over the intervening years, Anthony Spencer believes this to be facing the Towpath in Shepperton.

Bill and Sue go off in Grandfather boat to fish for supper. Shepperton Weir on the River Thames in Surrey identified by Anthony Spencer. Tony Hay questions that location and provides compelling evidence that this is the weir on the channel between Hamhaugh Island and the southern bank of the river.

No danger, Bill is now learning how to handle himself and a boat on the River. Located by Anthony Spencer, this is Shepperton Weir between Lock Island and Hamhaugh Island on the River Thames to the north of Weybridge. Once again (see previous capture) Tony identifies this as the weir on the channel between Hamhaugh Island and the southern bank of the river. He adds that the white posts in the midground are the channel markers which direct boats towards Shepperton lock.

Sue is scared to return home to Grandfather without any fish…...a German bomber drops a bomb in the River. Does this help with the location, whether or not it does, it brought dead fish to the surface! The Thames at Shepperton Weir in Surrey. A likely reverse point of view to Capture 17.

Bruce goes AWOL when he heard about the baby and return to marry Dawn. St. Michael’s Church, Bray, Berkshire.

The location as it appears 35 years on, captured by Antony Blair.

As they gather for a photograph ‘the red tops’ are there to arrest him. Lych Gate, St. Michael's Church, Church Lane, Bray, Berkshire.

Little change has occurred in Antony Blair's comparison.

Bill takes a photograph as Bruce is driven off. Church Lane, Bray looking towards High Street.

Likewise, Antony Blair takes a photograph along Church Lane.

Bill is caught ‘scrumping’ at a neighbours property. Monkey Island Hotel, Monkey Island, Bray.

The following morning, irascible Grandfather, “sacrificing his last drop of black market petrol to drive “the miserable little tripe hound” Bill to his old school. He vents his feelings further when he see filming “when there is a war on!”. I am inclined to the view that the action is taking place in Dockett Eddy Lane, Shepperton and that the background building is that of what is now ‘Dockett Moorings’, Dockett Eddy, Chertsey, an apartment block.

Nick Boorman found that the house near Dockett Eddy has been substantially rebuilt bringing the front of the building closer to the river.

They approach the school……. Lysia Street, London SW6. Queen’s Manor Primary School, Lysia Street, London SW6.

From Lysia Street looking south down Woodlawn Road. SJ

……..to find that it has been bombed! “Thank you Adolf”. Bill can return to a calmer life away from London.

This is the old boys' entrance (the girls' has the school building in the background) on Lysia Street, the brickwork of which appears a good match. SJ