Hunted

The film opens with a young boy running alone in the streets of London. Claverton Street, London SW1 looking towards St. George’s Drive with Lupus Street crossing left to right. Location originally established by Anneke Dubash.

Yes, my doubts have been vanquished. The building at the back left leaves no doubt. SJ

We are soon introduced to the young boy, Robbie (Jon Whiteley) as he arrives on the pavement with his teddy bear and runs into Claverton Street.

And this is Claverton Street. But only identifiable thanks to the row on Lupus Street. Just to my left out of shot is the very new Pimlico Academy. SJ

We follow his journey, here running west along Lupus Street, Claverton Street to the right. The spire of St. Saviour’s, St. George’s Square can be seen in the background.

Not a great deal of evidence apart from the spire. Meanwhile the Pimlico School has been demolished and the Pimlico Academy is being built. SJ.

The Academy now occupies the right. SJ

He is both scared and determined. Circa 53 to 59 Lupus Street.

But this does seal it. These houses are still standing west of Claverton Street on Lupus Street. SJ.

I can't believe that white van is still there! SJ

As he is about to cross the road he fails to see the Watney brewers dray approaching. Lupus Street with what was Colchester Street and then Cornwall Street off to the right, now both absorbed into the Pimlico Library.

In fact this is still Lupus Street (As in Capture 3) and the buildings have gone. The replacement Pimlico School is seen 30 years later in 'Madame Sousatzka'. SJ.

And this is the new version which replaced the school seen in Madame Sousatzka. SJ

He escapes danger, but not a tirade from the draymen before finding himself on a bomb site. Emerging out of Stew Lane, London EC4 with the ‘Saloon’ sign of the King’s Head, 49 Upper Thames Street behind him. he clambers over the ruins of Alltransport & Storage Ltd.

He clambers over the ruins of Alltransport & Storage Ltd. to see the south bank of the Thames between the two warehouses. Abbey Wharf with the side of Smith’s Wharf to the left.

Seeking sanctuary in a basement he is seized by Chris Lloyd (Dirk Bogarde) and drops his teddy. Chris is keen to keep Robbie quiet whilst children play at ground level. A dead man lies nearby. Unknown location.

Chris ‘takes charge’ of Robbie and pulls him along the road but he wants to go back and collect his teddy. Looking east along Grosvenor Road, London SW1, Dolphin Square can be seen in the center.

Dolphin Square with new building on the corner of Claverton Street, left of centre. SJ

He is desperate for teddy and makes a run for it, Chris chases after him. Looking west along Grosvenor Road with the now demolished All Saints Church on the corner with Antrobus Street top right. The distant ventilation tower just west of Grosvenor Bridge can also seen from Clarendon Street in 'The Ghost Train Murder'.

Even in winter, one has to step into the bicycle lane to capture the ventilation tower. SJ

Chris catches him up and re-assures him that he is not taking him back home. A more prominent view of the now demolished All Saints Church, Grosvenor Road/Antrobus Street.

There's the tower ever so faintly in the background. The houses and pub behind the trees still survive but no church. SJ

His adoptive mother is concerned about him and asks the local children if they have seen Robbie. Charlwood Street looking south-west across Belgrave Road to the white curved building on Denbigh Street, SW1 found by SJ.

For some random reason this one eluded me for a while. It's Charlwood Street looking southwest across Belgrave Road to the white curved corner building on Denbigh Street. SJ

Chris continues with his desperate escape plan. The north-west corner of St. Katharine Docks and ‘C’ warehouse left that fronted onto East Smithfield, London E1

Reaching dock level Chris is undecided as to what to do next, making his way to the waters edge. St. Katharine Docks, Ivory House is visible between the pillars.

Despite the pillar Leah Brown managed this shot of a much changed location.

Moving on further the western face of Ivory House is far left of the capture and the dock entrance is visible center distance.

Leah Brown captured what is now a very busy marina.

Chris waits for inspiration as to what to do next whilst facing Ivory House. Seizing the moment he and Robbie go on to jump down onto a moored barge to take a rest.

Rather more in the foreground these days! (RL)

Whilst the pressure of the situation puts stress on Chris’ acceptance of Robbie an embracing couple look for a more secluded place when someone comes outside for a smoke. The rear of the King’s Head, 49 Upper Thames Street once again.

They soon discover the body of the dead man and the police are on the scene, an ambulance pulls away down Stew Lane to Upper Thames Street.

The following morning Chris makes his way with Robbie to King Edward Vll Memorial Park, Shadwell, London E1

A slight variation from Leah on Capture 21.

Chris turns around to get himself a cup of coffee from the stall behind him. Behind the stall is the Rotherhithe Tunnel airshaft.

With all the safety furniture finally gone Leah was able to capture this shot of an uncluttered Rotherhithe tunnel ventilation shaft 3.

Having bought a pie for each of them Chris challenges Robbie, “you don’t like me do you?”…”No”….”Why don’t you go home?”…..”I don’t want to go home”. The spire of St. Anne’s Church, Limehouse is showing above Robbie’s head.

Leah found that work still continues on this stretch of the River.

Desperately in need of money, they go to Chris’ apartment block where Robbie is given instructions as how to enter the flat and where to find his last pay packet. The Flask Lane entrance to Ebury Buildings on Semley Place, SW1 identified by Sean Longden. The location can also be seen in ‘Dance Hall’ and 'Linda'.

The view now, taken from a similar position within the London Victoria car park entrance beneath Semley House. PW

Chris watches as Robbie becomes involved kicking a football with the local lads…….In the background is the British Overseas Airway Corporation terminal building on Buckingham Palace Road. Looking onto Flask Lane where the doorway to St. Philip’s Church (the parsonage still stands on 162 Buckingham Palace Road) can just be made out behind the lamppost. Great work by Sean Longden.

A close-up not of a National Express coach but the detail of the BOAC (now the National Audit office) building on Buckingham Palace Road. SJ

…….and becomes ever more anxious as a neighbour becomes involved with his cut knee. Looking into Ebury Buildings on the north-eastern side of Ebury Square from Flask Lane. All gone! The British Overseas Airway Corporation terminal building on Buckingham Palace Road visible in the background once again.

And it's still here, though BOAC is gone. SJ

Despite gaining access to the flat Robbie’s mission is interrupted by the arrival of the police and Chris’ wife Magda (Elizabeth Sellars). The view from Ebury Buildings across Semley Place to Ebury Square and at the back the still extant Fountain Court on Avery Farm Row.

The tree has survived as well as Fountain Court. SJ

Chris and Robbie have no alternative but to make a run for it empty handed. Exiting Flask Lane to Semley Place whilst viewing into Ebury Square, with the remains of St. Michael’s school immediately ahead of them.

And in the distance buildings on Pimlico Road. SJ

We catch up with them next in Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1. The tram is about to cross the junction with Rochester Row and Warwick Way. One can just make out Barclays Bank on Churton Street, then to the left the blob-like spire of St James the Less, still standing, and to the left of that, the thinner spire of Holy Trinity Church now lost and buried in the Bessborough Gardens Estate.

That's the bank, closed in 2020 and later converted to a Japanese restaurant, in the middle. SJ.

One can just make out the bank/restaurant on the corner with the pedestrian part of Churton Street. SJ

Desperate for money Chris enters a pawnbrokers shop at 189 Vauxhall Bridge Road to pawn his coat.

This row has survived the over-development of Vauxhall Bridge Road. SJ

The pawnbroker is suspicious as he attempts to pawn his coat and with his identity and location now more broadly known, the police net starts to close in. Hatherley Street from Vauxhall Bridge Road with the corner of Walcott Street and Vincent Square beyond the lorry.

The big BP sign doesn't help but to the right one can match the tower of St Stephen's on Rochester Row. SJ

The police car is instructed to proceed to the pawnbrokers shop. Vauxhall Bridge Road with Rochester Row running off to the right.

The only survivor is the old NatWest bank, now the Jugged Hare pub, in the middle of the shot. SJ

The couple continue their way down Vauxhall Bridge Road. Looking north towards Victoria Street.

Not much left except the tiny bit at the right and the white pub, (The Duke of York, closed in most of the 2010s), on Victoria Street. SJ.

The Duke of York and Victoria Palace survive in the distance. SJ

Chris sees the police car as it speeds north along Vauxhall Bridge Road towards them and cuts into an entertainment shop. Francis Street off to the left.

A definite match on the corner of Francis Street. SJ.

Not much change since the last comparison but an improved angle. SJ

Desperate for a cigarette that he was not able to afford or win on the machines he asks a passing pedestrian. Vauxhall Bridge Road looking towards Victoria Street. The white building being the ‘Duke of York’ public house at 130 – 134 Victoria Street.

Much the same as Capture 31. SJ.

Quite verdant now. SJ

A police motorcyclist appears in Vauxhall Bridge Road. Facing north from Francis Street with Gillingham Row, and beyond it, Gillingham Street off to the left.

The left has survived well so far. SJ

Chris looks down at Robbie as they pass 35 and 37 Tachbrook Street, London SW1

The north end of the Lillington Gardens Estate, roughly where 35 & 37 stood. The shop on the right is no39 and there's still a barber's addressed as no37 to the left. SJ

But as they turn into Churton Street, with Lillington Street to the right and Vauxhall Bridge Road distant, Chris sees the motorcyclist approaching them.

The street has been closed off after the building of the 70's Lillington Garden Estate, but that HSBC is still going strong on the corner of Vauxhall Bridge Road and Rochester Row. SJ (update: spoke too soon, now an estate agents)

Turning sharply into Charlwood Street from Tachbrook Street……….

The corner of Tachbrook Street and Charlwood Street.

Looking north-west. SJ

………Chris sees an approaching police car. Looking north on Charlwood Street towards Vauxhall Bridge Road and St. Augustine’s Mansions.

Easy for me. That's the Vincent Square pavilion in the background where I've coached games for rather a long time. The Lillington Gardens Estate is now on both sides of Charlwood Street. SJ.

The pavilion is still visible in the centre. SJ

Hastily crossing the road they catch a 36 bus off route from Vauxhall Bridge Road.

Looking north-east on Charlwood Street. SJ

Safely aboard, we see the Director play with continuity, follow the bus down Tachbrook Street as a police car starts to exit from Charlwood Street from the left. The ‘Enterprise’ public house is on the corner behind the car.

No mistaking the curve of Tachbrook Street. SJ.

The Enterprise pub was demolished and The Pimlico Tram, now Cask, rose in its ashes. SJ

Still off route the bus turns right into the ‘southern’ end of Charlwood Street.

And this is the now. SJ.

No traffic, because of the roadworks. And, sadly, The Pimlico Thai restaurant, venue of the first and only RS supper, looks permanently closed. SJ

With Robbie continuing to complain of hunger and Chris desperate for money it is time to return to Chris’ flat. Successfully avoiding the police they run along Flask Lane to jump aboard a lorry that is waiting at the lights. The BOAC building in Buckingham Palace Road provides the background.

With Flask Lane gone, this is on Buckingham Palace Road. SJ

It is not clear where they left the lorry but it was time to hitch a lift to somewhere, but they were not initially successful. Unknown location.

Walking on, they provide us with the detail that they are on a bus route. Unknown location.

Still further detail as a lorry pulls up……… Unknown location.

………… that of C Nash & Sons Ltd, King Street, London N17 who is ‘going north’. Chris tells Robbie that they are going to his ‘brother's place if they can’.

The first scenes of their arrival in the north. Location identified by David Rayner. Honeywall, Stoke-on-Trent. Staffordshire.

David was able to not only locate the site but actually take a photo as well.

The lorry pulls over to let them off and points them in the direction of a place to stay for the night. David Rayner, via britmmovie.com Website identified this as Sutherland Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Location confirmed, but looking northeast just prior to Paragon Road, they are pulling into what is now the driveway to the left of ‘Adderley Works’. The building can be seen in BfA EAW050500. David did provide us with a comparative shot based on 1950's buildings to fill the space, but unfortunately, we now know that whilst he was in virtually the exact spot his camera was pointing in the opposite direction. We would therefore welcome a revised shot.

The following morning, as people make their way to work, a newspaper boy is about to deliver the day’s news to Mr and Mrs Sykes (Frederick Piper and Kay Walsh) highlighting the missing pair. Oxford Street, Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent at its junction with Honeywall.

Comparison view by David Rayner.

With Mr and Mrs Sykes suspicious and anxious to telephone the police Chris and Robbie are once again ‘on the run’. The disused railway line between Burslem and Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent with thanks to David Rayner.

Chris attempts to disconnect from Robbie by jumping from a bridge on to a stationary freight train. The bridge is the last of three bridges situated very close together that were essentially foot bridges linking Burslem brickworks (out of shot to the left) with Sneyd Colliery (out of shot to the right). Information from David Rayner

The railway is part of the Potteries Loop Line that linked Stoke with Kidsgrove. This is on the stretch of line between Cobridge and Burslem stations and we are here looking in the direction of Burslem. Once again we thank David Rayner for the detailed information. 44548 was an LMS Fowler Class 4F 0-6-0 built at Crewe in 1928

As the train moves off Robbie risks life and limb, and jumps from the same bridge, but is soon comforted by Chris saying that he will never leave him again.

The line was closed in the late 1960s as part of the infamous Dr Beeching cuts and the three bridges demolished in the 1980s. Today, what was once a very busy railway has been turned into a greenway for cyclists and walkers and the present location is completely unrecognisable from the way it looked in late 1951. Our thanks to David Rayner for the background info.

Alighting somewhere from the train they rest in a field of hay. Unknown location.

Meanwhile the police remain understandably concerned about the boy in Chris’ ‘care’ whilst they make their way under cover of darkness. Scotland Yard on Victoria Embankment, London SW1

Awakened one morning by the sound of a shepherd and his sheep Robbie once again declares himself hungry. Behind schedule, they now have to travel in daylight hours, but are soon surprised by a passing group of cyclists and throw themselves into the greenery to avoid being seen. Unknown location.

They continue to travel in the dark and Robbie is tired but the following morning they have no option but to continue their journey........Unknown location.

…….. eventually finding a village where Chris is able to ‘acquire’ some food. This looks like a set.

At last they reach Chris’ brother but he is not prepared to harbour them, even Robbie, so they are once again turned out into the night. Dunskey Castle, Stranraer, Scotland.

In the morning they awaken to the sight of fishing boats and a view of the local town. Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland that was confirmed by Phyllis Elias “Indeed Port Patrick, looking from the southern side to the north. The hotel on the top is still there, but now painted white”.

Portpatrick has grown in size. More new builds in the surrounding high ground around the village. The Portpatrick Hotel on the north side is a listed building. With thanks to Andy McArthur for taking advantage of a beautiful day to snap this. (SJ)

Under cover of darkness they make their way into town, firstly to the base of the lighthouse. Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Picking their way along the busy quay Chris eventually finds an unattended boat and they set sail for the open sea. Portpatrick Harbour.

Robbie is taken ill and after much thought Chris realises that he cannot keep running and he must do the best for Robbie. As he turns the boat around to return to shore the townsfolk start to gather. Looking east on North Crescent, Portpatrick.

Tim Deeks captured this shot for us with all the essential features, even including a rainbow, despite tables, benches and cars.

Both men and boys, they all come. North Crescent looking across to South Crescent, Portpatrick.

A view of the Harbour and the full extent of South Crescent as Chris arrives back in port.

Chris carries Robbie up the steps to the waiting crowd and, of course, the local policeman. Phyllis Elias again confirms Portpatrick, “It’s in the southwest corner of Scotland near Stranraer…taken from the north looking south, where the lifeboat is usually moored”.

Next to the RNLI Lifeboat Station Portpatrick Harbour are the steps featured in the closing scenes of Hunted. The harbour has stood still while other parts of the village have been developed. With thanks again to Andy (SJ)