Oxford Blues

Prizewinning rower and casino hustler Nick De Angelo (Rob Lowe) leaves a rowing session on Swim Beach, Lake Mead, Nevada, US.

Nick thumbs a lift but is turned down. Boulder Beach Access Road, Boulder City, Nevada.

Eventually, a kindly female stops to offer him a lift.

A shot of the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas, where Nick works as a parking attendant. Dunes operated between 1955 and 1993.

Today's view shows The Vanderpump Hotel has risen in front of the Flamingo with the guitar-shaped Hard Rock Hotel under construction in the background.

Nick gets the come-on from a divorcee, with the Barbary Coast Hotel (later the Cromwell Las Vegas) in the background.

The Barbary Coast Hotel has undergone several restorations amd opened as the Vanderpump Hotel in June 2026. The pedestrian bridge dates from 1997.

Capture 6: Nick partners with his new-found friend to make a killing at the Casino, raising enough for Nick’s trip to Oxford to pursue a rich English lady he is smitten with. Having hacked his high school computer he has secured a place at Oriel College.

Shortly afterwards Nick arrives in England with his Ford Thunderbird. Junction of Clifton Hampden High St and Long Wittenham High St, Oxfordshire.

A taller sign, and a campsite.

The same junction facing north.

The view today.

Nick drives the streets of Oxford.

Nick drives down Oxford High Street, passing the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

The wide street gets a traffic island.

He drives north on Catte Street, with the church behind him.

A popular spot.

Next, Nick drives west on Broad Street, with Oxford Martin School behind him.

The view today.

Now he’s driving South down Catte Street, past Hertford College. Where’s he going?

Nothing much has changed here.

In Oriel Square, Nick asks for directions The mini driver says “Follow me”.

No scaffolding in today's scene.

Nick follows the mini down a narrow street. Oriel Street, Oxford.

Now there's a gate across.

Too narrow - Nick gets the car wedged between college buildings. Oriel Street, artificially narrowed for the film.

Wide enough for these vans.

Abandoning his car, Nick finally makes his way to the door of Oriel College.

What lies behind.

Nick walks through Oriel College quad.

Horticultural changes only.

Nick finds Lady Victoria (Amanda Pays) in the arms of her fiancé Colin (Julian Sands). Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street.

The view of the area today, without students. (SR)

Dejected, Nick walks back to his room, passing the Radcliffe Camera. Confirmed by Tris, this is facing the Radcliffe Camera from Catte Street with All Souls college at left, the University Church in the left background and Brasenose College to the right.

The Radcliffe Camera today.

Students wait on the river for the start of a rowing race. Tris locates the two bridges as standing on the west side of the Isis in Oxford, just to the south of Longbridges Boathouse, around 200m north of Donnington Bridge.

Tris captured this view of the twin humpback bridges from the safety of the footpath.

The competitors line up.

Nick steals a boat and wins the race.

Nick attends a college party at the invitation of Victoria. Pembroke Square.

Tourists arriving late for the party.

After teasing Nick, Victoria leaves with her fiancé. Kybald Street, Oxford.

At street level.

At the local pub, Nick brags about his success at getting what he wants. The Bear Inn, Alfred Street.

Looks like the original No Entry sign, knocked sideways.

Nick chats with fellow American Rona (Ally Sheedy), the coxswain of the rowing team.

The team manager Simon Rutledge (Alan Howard) welcomes Nick to training for the rowing eights. The Sir Roger Bannister Running Track at the Iffley Road Sports Centre, Oxford.

Rona puts the team through their paces. Iffley Road Sports Centre, Oxford.

Hank joins with the rest of the team as they row on the river.

Hank has been accused of attacking a fellow student and is given a warning. Bodleian Library

An information board is all that's been added in this comparison shot. (SR)

Hank is invited to visit Lady Victoria at her family home as a joke, but he dallies with her and causes his team to forfeit a race. Broughton Castle, Broughton, Oxfordshire, also seen in 'Three Men and a Little Lady' and 'Shakespeare in Love'.

A less glary daylight view. (SR)

As a punishment the team sack him and dump him in the pool. Oriel College Quad.

Students Gareth (Anthony Calf) and Lionel (Cary Elwes) look on as Hank takes Victoria out on a punt. The first floor balcony at the Head of the River public house alongside the Thames in Oxford with Folly Bridge in the background located by Tris.

As they watch, Gareth becomes enraged. Identified by Tris, here we're looking at the steps to the balcony at the Head of the River pub.

The same steps, with health & safety notices added, and the kitchen staff taking a break. (SR)

Hank fights with Gareth, and is sent down from college as a result. The jetty on the River Thames behind the Head of the River public house with Folly Bridge at right found by Tris.

The jetty arrangement has changed somewhat, but there's plenty of punts around. (SR)

After being asked to take part in one final race, Hank thinks things over. Footpath adjoining Merton College Chapel.

A much bushier footpath today.

He decides to compete and his fellow students cheer him on. this is the old Oxford University Boathouse which was destroyed by fire in September 1999.