Prize of Gold, A

In post-war West Berlin, a yellow U-Bahn train rumbles along a viaduct next to a canal. Seen from Möckernbrücke this is the Landwehrkanal with Möckernbrücke station to the centre.

A great match taken by Malcolm Tinnelly.

As the train passes over a bridge, the jib of a dredger comes into view. The elevated railway reaches a bridge which takes the line over the Landwehrkanal. Below the high level bridge is the former railway bridge that once carried the line from Anhalter Bahnhof.

Malcolm Tinnelly found that much greenery has appeared over the last 70 years.

The Foreman (Erich Dunskus) watches another load of mud drop into a barge. The Landwehrkanal in the Kreuzberg district of West Berlin.

Now a pleasant canal side setting as Malcolm Tinnelly's view shows.

Spotting something unusual fall into the slurry, the Foreman calls to the Jib Operator to halt. Built between 1845 and 1850, the Landwehrkanal connects the upper part of the Spree at the Osthafen in Friedrichshain with the lower part in Charlottenburg.

The Foreman hurries to telephone the authorities. The B96 road now passes over this site.

A Jeep arrives at the canal bringing British Military Police Sergeant Roger Morris and other Officers to examine the gold bullion lying in the barge. Möckernbrücke carrying Möckernstraße over the Landwehrkanal, seen from Tempelhofer Ufer.

Malcolm Tinnelly captured a replacement bridge.

After overseeing the safe transport of the gold, Sergeant Morris is driven from the Joint Custodian of ex-Enemy Property building by his US counterpart, Master Sergeant Joe Lawrence. Heinrich-von-Kleist Park, Potsdamer Strasse, 10781 West Berlin, showing one of a pair of colonnades that were originally intended to be part of a bridge leading to Alexanderplatz. (SR)

The camera follows as the Jeep leaves the compound. Looking out onto Potsdamer Strasse. (SR)

Master Sergeant Joe Lawrence (Richard Widmark) stops the Jeep outside the block where he has an apartment before he and Sergeant Roger Morris (George Cole) go inside. This is within the residential complex shown in the next capture. (SR)

The two Sergeants chase after the Jeep when it is stolen by a Boy. This is the rear of 66-67 Kaiser-Friedrich-Strasse, a small residential complex known as "Goethepark". (SR)

Running out onto the street, the pair watch as the Jeep is driven from view. 66-67 Kaiser-Friedrich-Strasse. (SR)

A truck is commandeered. Outside the entrance to 66-67 Kaiser-Friedrich-Strasse. (SR).

Urging the truck's Driver on, the Sergeants pursue the 12 year old.

With Conrad at the wheel, the Jeep corners.

Approaching the corner, the truck has to reverse after missing the turn.

Sergeant Lawrence continues to chase the Youth on foot after he crashes the Jeep.

Conrad (Andrew Ray) crosses the bombed ruins of his city.

Gaining on the thief, the Sergeant keeps up the pace.

Sergeant Lawrence climbs into a derelict building where he discovers a community of Children being cared for and taught by Dr. Zachmann and Maria Keler.

Returning to the USAF Air Base at Templehof, Sergeant Lawrence submits his report to Major Bracken. Berlin's Tempelhof Airport. The airport, which closed in 2008, was seen in 'Funeral in Berlin' and 'A Dandy in Aspic'.

When orders come through that the gold bullion is to be shipped to London, the first consignment is labelled as "gun parts" and loaded onto a plane. The airport has an address on Platz d. Luftbrücke in West Berlin.

While Sergeant Morris accompanies the shipment to London, Sergeant Lawrence hires a Messerschmitt Cabin Scooter.

The Sergeant returns to the ruins in the hope of meeting Maria again.

On the pretence of compiling a report about the crashed Jeep, Joe asks for more details about Maria Keler (Mai Zetterling).

Joe drives Maria into the centre of the city. Kurfuerstendamm in West Berlin with the ruined Kaiser Wilhelm church to the centre.

Avoiding the traffic, Malcolm Tinnelly remained on the footpath for this shot.

The Messerschmitt is parked while Joe takes Maria for coffee. The camera moves to find the vehicle at the kerb on Kurfuerstendamm.

On the balcony of a restaurant, Joe continues his questioning. Kurfuerstendamm in West Berlin where Manuel Gurtner advises that the balcony belongs to a listed building in the Bauhaus style which has housed the Hard Rock Cafe since 1992.

After learning that Maria and the Children are hoping to emigrate to Brazil, Joe takes Maria to his apartment. Kaiser-Friedrich-Strasse. (SR)

The Cabin Scooter bounces as Joe turns from the main road. The entrance to Goethepark on Kaiser-Friedrich-Strasse. (SR)

When Maria declines his invitation to look around his flat, Joe takes her back to the ruins. Goethepark. (SR)

Children are playing when the two arrive.

Spotting a large Mercedes Saloon after getting out of the Messerschmitt, Joe escorts a reluctant Maria towards the building.

Inside the ruin, Dr. Zachmann (Karel Stepanek) and Hans Fischer (Eric Pohlmann) are waiting.

Ignoring Herr Fischer's warning about seeing Maria, Joe takes her out of the city for the day. Manuel Gurner explains that this is on the AVUS (German for 'Automobile traffic and training road') motorway, where the KR 175 type cabin scooter takes the Wannsee exit to reach the lake called Großer Wannsee, located in the borough of Steglitz-Zehlendorf to the south-west of Berlin.

The pair take a river cruise before spending the evening dancing. The jetty for the Wannsee-Kladow ferry across Wannsee lake identified by Manuel Gurtner who adds that the pair are about to board the M.S. 'Wannsee'. The vessel was originally launched as 'Pionier' in 1929, completely rebuilt in 1952 by Teltow shipyard and then operated by the Stern und Kreisschiffahrt until 1981.

After witnessing Fischer force kisses on Maria, Sergeant Lawrence agrees to help Sergeant Morris with his plan to steal the final gold shipment and the two make contact with Alfie Stratton (Donald Wolfit) in England.

Interested in helping with the scheme, Stratton drives Lawrence, Morris and Dan Watson back to London. Trafalgar Square in WC2 with St. Martin-in-the-Fields church to the top left.

A little more height would have made all the difference. (RL)

During the journey, the four men discuss hijacking the gold before Stratton recommends Brian Hammell to fly the plane. Trafalgar Square with Strand in the background.

Significant changes to property and road layout over the years.....+/- 70! (RL)

Having recruited Hammell, Sergeant Lawrence drives the conceited ex-RAF pilot through West Berlin after he arrives in the city. Facing the ruins of Berlin's Anhalter Bahnhof from the junction of Stresemannstraße and Schöneberger Straße to the south of Potsdamer Platz in West Berlin.

Hammell is taken to his lodgings and told to stay there until he's required.

Delivering a telegram from Sergeant Lawrence, a Messenger cycles into Dan's yard on the film's Rope Street in the East End of London. Robert Clack identifies the view as Royal Mint Street looking across to John Fisher Street in E1.

Robert also provides proof of the location.

Having telephoned Stratton to tell him that the job is on that evening, Dan leaves his yard. Royal Mint Street with John Fisher Street to the extreme left located by Robert Clack who adds that the archway was part of a viaduct that carried the G.E.R. London Docks Branch line which terminated at a Goods Depot in East Smithfield. It was demolished in the early 70s.

Robert captures the scene now.

Driving his truck, Dan Watson is followed by Alfie Stratton to a disused airfield in Essex.

Signs and a flimsy fence bar access to the airfield. IMDb tells us that the airfield is Blackbushe Airport near Yateley in Hampshire.

Dan Watson (Joseph Tomelty) removes the obstruction before the vehicles continue on to the runway.

Sergeant Lawrence and Brian Hammell arrive at Tempelhof Airport.

Stratton drives Dan back to London to collect another vehicle to provide sufficient runway lighting. We cannot reward Dave W with a prize of gold, only a 'Thank You', for identifying Percy Street, London W1 with Tottenham Court Road in the background. (RL)

Facing east on Percy Street. PW

The pair are delayed by a traffic jam. The traffic jam Dave W says is in Charlotte Street looking north-west, the first whole property seen on the left hand side is numbers 11 to 13. (RL)

The film's heavy traffic has given way to bikes and plants. PW

At 8.30pm, the plane carrying the gold shipment with Sergeant Lawrence, Sergeant Morris, Stratton and Hammell on board taxis towards the runway. Manuel Gurtner identifies the aircraft as a US Air Force Douglas C-47 'Dakota'.

With the heist over and the gold stowed in the back of the truck, Dan drives back to his yard with Lawrence, Morris and Hammell. Facing east on Cable Street in E1 with the corner of Ensign Street to the right.

The daylight of 68 years later reveals a different scene. PW

Pounding his beat in the early hours, a Policeman walks along the alley near Dan's yard. Mill Yard E1, looking towards Leman Street

Without access along the length of the passage, this is the end nearest to Leman Street. PW

Dan's gates are checked. Mill Yard with Cable Street in the distance.

Taken from outside the gates that now bar access to the corner of the former Mill Yard. PW

Later that morning, a milk float enters the alley. Mill Yard running beneath the site of the long closed Leman Street station.

The Milkman comes up against Dan's truck as Hammell drives it away following a fight with the two Sergeants. Mill Yard off Cable Street in E1, a narrow thoroughfare that can also be seen in 'The Stateless Man'.

The location remains recognisable. PW

With his escape route blocked, Brian Hammell (Nigel Patrick) places two ingots into his pockets and runs past the milk float. Looking towards Cable Street from Mill Yard.

Bright sunlight doesn't help this view. PW

Recovering consciousness, Sergeant Lawrence pursues Hammell along the alley. Mill Yard in E1.

Hardly identifiable now. PW

The Sergeant reaches the corner of the alley. The corner of Mill Yard and Cable Street which can be seen from Cable Street in 'On the Fiddle', 'River Beat' and 'Children of Men'.

A busier corner. PW

Struggling due to the gold he is carrying, Hammell continues to flee. Ensign Street in E1 with the Rio Café at the corner of Grace's Alley to the right of centre. The location was used for 'The Stateless Man'.

Parked vehicles prevent a more accurate shot. PW

Sergeant Lawrence crosses the street to follow. The junction of Cable Street and Ensign Street.

All replaced, except for the bollard and inspection cover. PW

Hammell turns into an alley. Grace's Alley with Wellclose Square in the distance.

Looking the same way, a Post Office inspection cover confirms the location. PW

Grace's Alley in E1 with the Methodist Mission to the left. The building was previously Wilton's Music Hall, which had closed in 1888. The alley can be seen in 'The Great McGonagall', 'The Adventures of Dusty Bates', 'The Stateless Man' and 'A Little of You Fancy'.

Victor Bennett and Ray Newton returned to Grace's Alley for this shot.

Looking along Grace's Alley with Ensign Street in the left background.

Not an original building in sight. PW

Sergeant Lawrence keeps up as Hammell heads for the docks. The Highway in E1 identified by Victor Bennett and Ray Newton who point out the distinctive Tobacco Dock roof in the distance.

Victor and Ray's comparison is taken from the north side of The Highway, which was widened in the 1960s, and the Tobacco Dock roof can be seen to the centre beyond the filling station.

Leaving the street, Hammell makes his way between the stacked barrels of a cooperage. Looking towards The Highway with buildings between Crowder Street and Cannon Street Road in the distance.

Looking towards The Highway from what is now a McDonald's Drive Thru . . . their spelling, not mine. PW

Bells start to ring as Hammell approaches a bascule bridge. Victor Bennett tells us that his friend Ray was present during filming of this scene and identifies this as the Shadwell Entrance to the Shadwell New Basin of London Docks in E1.

Victor Bennett and Ray Newton point out that this area is now used by a local sailing school.

Flagging through exhaustion, the Sergeant struggles on. The Shadwell Entrance to London Docks with the drawbridge carrying Glamis Road in the right background. Victor Bennett and Ray Newton bring our attention to the Gaselee tug as well as the hydraulic pump house and chimney to the top left and explain that this is looking towards the docks from the Thames, which is behind the camera.

Taken from the same spot by Victor and Ray.

Hammell climbs over the closing gates and grabs hold of the bridge as it starts to rise. Facing south on Glamis Road with the Prospect of Whitby pubic house on Wapping Wall in the left distance. Shadwell Basin, London. A similar view can be seen in 'Night Beat' while the bridge also appears in 'Girl in the Headlines'.

Victor Bennett and Ray Newton, both members of The History of Wapping Trust, captured the view now with the Prospect of Whitby dwarfed by its neighbours.

The exit from London Docks on Glamis Road with St. Paul's church in the background.

Victor Bennett and Ray Newton's view of the scene today, redeveloped for housing and now called Peartree Lane.

Sergeant Lawrence reaches the bridge to see Hammell hanging onto the bridge by his fingers. Facing north along Glamis Road with the spire of St. Mary's church in the left distance.

Taken by Victor Bennett and Ray Newton, looking along Glamis Road with the spire of St. Mary's church visible in the distance through the trees.

The bridge taking Glamis Road over the Shadwell Entrance to London Docks in E1 located by Victor Bennett.

There's very little chance of the bridge opening now. PW

Weighed down by the bullion in his pockets, Hammell loses his grip on the bridge. Looking towards the Shadwell New Basin of London Docks with warehousing that backs onto Brussels Wharf to the left.

Victor Bennett and Ray Newton explain that Garnet Street bridge can just be made out in the distance, although it's painted red as are the newish houses around it.

At a Military Prison, Sergeant Joe Lawrence faces the consequences of his actions. Anthony McKay found the Main Gate at South Ruislip Air Station on Victoria Road in Ruislip, Middlesex which was occupied by the USAF's Third Air Force between 1949 and 1972. The buildings remained empty until being demolished in 1995.