High Hopes

Date: 1988
Director: Mike Leigh
Production Company: Portman Productions, Channel Four Films, British Screen Productions

Stars: Philip Davis, Ruth Sheen, Edna Doré, Philip Jackson, Heather Tobias, Lesley Manville, David Bamber
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

The life of a working class couple living in London and their complicated relationships with other members of the family.

Additional Information:

Screen captures and uncredited comparison shots by Neil Webster

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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

  • Capture 1
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Wayne (Jason Watkins), new in the city and a little lost.

  • Capture 2
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Emerging from the subterranean. Looking south-west along Euston Road N1, St. Pancras station to the right.

Trying to dodge the traffic and snap at the same time.

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Happening upon Cyril (Philip Davis) for directions. Cheney Road / Stanley Passage, Kings Cross, N1. Culcross Buildings (rear). Everything in this view obliterated by redevelopment. Scenes for 'Nuns on the Run', ‘The Ladykillers’, 'Richard III' and 'The Missionary' were also shot in the area.

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"Bet you a quid he turns left". Cyril and Shirley (Ruth Sheen) intrigued by Wayne. Stanley Buildings looking across Battle Bridge Road and the gasholder beyond.

  • Capture 5
  • 27 Aug 2023

Cyril and Shirley visiting his Mum. Bunsen Street / Kenilworth Road, Bow E3.

Taken over the roof of a car, so ariel made it into the shot.

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Arriving at Mums. Kenilworth Road.

The high-rise of Lakeview Estate all but obliterated by greenery.

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Shirley working as a Council Gardener. Clissold Park looking over Green Lanes to Sandridge Court, Kings Crescent Estate, Hackney (demolished 2002).

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  • 27 Aug 2023

Cyril's sister, Valerie (Heather Tobias), visits husband, Martin (Philip Jackson), at his car lot. Adjacent to Hanley Arms, 440 Hornsey Road, Islington N19.

"The Hanley Arms" closed around 2007 and is now in use as an Islamic centre.

  • Capture 9
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Class Divide 1. Cyril's mum (Edna Doré) ignored by yuppie neighbour Lætitia (Lesley Manville). Kenilworth Road.

Tree all grown up and asserting itself with the bollard.

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Class Divide 2. Courier Cyril in the City. Lifts at The Lloyd's Building, Leadenhall Street EC3.

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Next drop-off: Mum's. The Lloyd's Building, Leadenhall Street EC3.

Further encroached by glass and steel.

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Wayne finally persuaded to take the coach home. Pembroke Street / Freeling Street N1.

The "Marquis of Salisbury" pub closed around 1999 and subsequently demolished.

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  • 27 Aug 2023

Visiting the tomb of one of his ideological heroes, Karl Marx. Highgate East Cemetery, Swain's Lane, Highgate N6.

Much more geared towards tourism these days.

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Heading along Cheney Road, Kings Cross N1.

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Martin, with his mother-in-law in the backseat, stops off for a brief liaison with his mistress. Corbyn Street / Almington Street, Finsbury Park N4.

Looks more elegant in the summer.

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Heading to Martin's house for Mum's party.

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At Martin and Valerie's.

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"It's the top of the world" 1. Rooftop, Stanley Buildings, Stanley Passage, Kings Cross N1.

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"It's the top of the world" 2. Looking south-west, Sts Pancras Station roof (left) and Telecom Tower (centre).

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"It's the top of the world" 3. Looking south-east down Pancras Road, Great Northern Hotel (centre).

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"It's the top of the world" 4. Looking down into St. Pancras station.

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"It's the top of the world" 5. North-west over St. Pancras. Tower (left) part of St. Pancras Hospital.