Decline and Fall . . . of a Birdwatcher

Evening closes in over Oxford where a noisy group of high spirited Students can be heard above the bells. The view over Oxford in Oxfordshire from New College with the spire of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin on the left and the Radcliffe Camera standing to the right.

Through upper floor windows, the source of the noise can be identified. The quad at Pembroke College on Pembroke Square in Oxford.

On the street outside the college, Paul Pennyfeather (Robin Phillips) arrives on his bicycle. Pembroke Square outside Pembroke College.

Still a ledge for leaning a bike against. (SR)

Entering the quad, Pennyfeather pauses when he hears the sound of an owl. Facing the entrance to Pembroke College on Pembroke Square.

The white breasted asio otus continues hooting outside the window of two female Students. The roof of the Old Master's Lodging at Pembroke College.

As they get undressed, the Students spot Pennyfeather looking up towards them through his binoculars before one rushes off to report him as a peeping tom.

After being debagged by the group of rowdy Students, Pennyfeather bumps into a Student as she runs from the building.

The Student's screams attract the attention of the Masters as well as alerting Blackall (John Cater) the porter. Looking towards the entrance to Pembroke College from the quad.

A bell tolls as Masters gather to decide Pennyfeather's fate. Mansfield College on Mansfield Road in Oxford, Oxfordshire.

Parked cars and scaffolding dominate this view today. (SR)

Carrying a suitcase, Pennyfeather leaves the college in disgrace. The entrance to Pembroke College on Pembroke Square.

Tipping Blackall as he leaves, Pennyfeather steps into the street before turning to take one last look at the college. Pembroke Square in Oxford with Tom Tower above Tom Gate, the main entrance of Christ Church, on St. Aldates in the background.

Travelling to London, Pennyfeather visits Mr. Church at Church & Gargoyle's employment agency where he is introduced to Dr. Augustus Fagan, principle of Llanabba Castle school. Meard Street, London W1. The street features in many productions including 'Strangler's Web', 'The Dark Stairway', 'Carousella', 'The Moon Over the Alley', 'Saturday Night Out', 'Danger by My Side', 'All You Need Is Cash', 'Last Night in Soho' and 'Don't Open till Christmas'.

On a drier day 55 years later. (PW)

Following a short interview, Dr. Fagan tells Pennyfeather that he'll find an excellent train leaving Paddington at 10 o'clock the following morning. The excellent train is one of British Railways' Blue Pullman units that worked on the London Midland and Western Regions out of St. Pancras and Paddington.

Later that day, Pennyfeather arrives at Llanabba Castle. The gateway of Knebworth House at Knebworth in Hertfordshire.

The camera moves to find the car bringing Pennyfeather to take up his position. Knebworth House can be seen in several other productions including ‘The Lair of the White Worm’, ‘The V.I.P.'s', ‘Batman (1989)’, ‘The Big Sleep’, ‘She’ll Have to Go’, ‘Horror Hospital’, 'The Wings of the Dove’ and 'The Flying Sorcerer'.

Watching the car leave, Pennyfeather knocks at the door to be let inside by Solomon Philbrick, the school's questionable butler. Knebworth House near Stevenage in Hertfordshire.

On the sports field, Prendergast (Robert Harris) follows his cross-country runners as Pennyfeather walks over to his senior Class. The grounds of Knebworth House.

Even the grass looks similar! SJ

Pennyfeather approaches Captain Grimes (Leo McKern) to remind him that he's supposed to be timing the runners. In the background stands Knebworth House.

With restored cupola on the closest tower. SJ

At the schools gates, the principle's daughter Flossie Fagan (Patience Collier) appears with refreshments for the boys. The gates to Knebworth House in Hertfordshire.

During the school's sports day, Philbrick drives away with the young Lord Tangent and all the presentation cups donated by Mrs. Beste-Chetwynde.

Masters and Pupils return to the school after the day's event. Knebworth House on Old Knebworth Lane in Knebworth, Hertfordshire.

The ivy has long gone. SJ

After Captain Grimes tells Pennyfeather that he's marrying Flossie the following week, Mrs. Grimes (Ann Lancaster) arrives at the school.

The foliage is definitely no longer in favour at the front door. SJ

At the request of his Mother, Peter Beste-Chetwynde accompanies Pennyfeather to the family home at Kings Thursday.

Mrs. Beste-Chetwynde's Rolls Royce arrives at Kings Thursday Halt to collect her son and his new tutor.

The car passes through the gates of the Beste-Chetwynde's mansion. The gates at Mentmore Towers, Mentmore near Leighton Buzzard, Buckinghamshire located by Steve Randall. Shirley Boddy remembers driving up behind the pea-green Rolls on the hill approaching the entrance to Mentmore Towers. The people in the back were waving their hands at me signalling me to go away but I ignored them! "I was driving an ancient A35 filled with my three children and two Labradors, all with their heads out of the windows, so I followed the car and drove straight on through the film set and home for tea!"

The gates were closed when Antony Blair returned to capture the view 55 years later.

After Margot Beste-Chetwynde and Pennyfeather become engaged, the couple head for London to settle her business affairs before the wedding. Hyde Park Corner in SW1 with Apsley House on the left and Knightsbridge heading off to the top right.

Flowers are carried into Margot's London house as a line of Girls arrive to be interviewed for dancing jobs. Anthony McKay found that this is a set at MGM studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire and that the same building appears in 'Inspector Clouseau' as well as 'Quatermass and the Pit'.

Through the window of her office, Margot spots Pennyfeather's friend Arthur Potts (Rodney Bewes) across the street... I think the twin-columned residence is 17 Belgrave Square (SJ)

My 2nd Aug shot was not the most conclusive of shots, so here's an albeit slight improvement, but this is the north-west side of Belgrave Square looking south. SJ

At Margot's request, Pennyfeather travels to Tangier where her Girls have been detained on their way to Rio. Likely to be stock footage, this is a panorama of Tangier in Morocco with the Sidi Bouabid Mosque to the extreme left/

At the Ritz in London, Alastair Vane-Trumpington answers a call from Margot while Pennyfeather in in the bath. Arlington Street in SW1 with buildings on Piccadilly W1 just visible to the extreme right.

More gold and blue than in the sixties. (PW)

Following his imprisonment for trafficking and prostitution, Pennyfeather is transferred to hospital when orders are received for the removal of his appendix. The driveway of 84 West Heath Road, London NW3 found by Steve Randall.

The ambulance comes to a stand at the hospital entrance. Steve Randall identifies the building as number 84 West Heath Road in Hampstead.

Flossie Fagan meets Pennyfeather and his Escort at the door. The entrance to 84 West Heath Road in NW3 discovered by Steve Randall.

After his death on the operating table is faked, a disguised Pennyfeather leaves his cremation service. The portico of West Wycombe House in West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

A nice place for a charging point. (SR)

Captain Grimes watches Pennyfeather walk away after the two recognise each other. In the background stands the Temple of Diana at West Wycombe Park. Other views of West Wycombe Park appear in 'Give My Regards To Broad Street', 'The Hippopotamus', 'To The Devil a Daughter', 'Amazing Grace', 'The Duchess', 'The Black Cat' and 'The Music Lovers'.

Now a different car hides the view. (SR)

Pennyfeather runs from view after jumping into the air and removing his disguise. West Wycombe Park in Buckinghamshire with the Temple of Music just visible in the distance.