Deep Blue Sea, The (1955)
Date: 1955
Director: Anatole Litvak
Production Company: London Film Productions
Stars: Vivien Leigh, Kenneth More, Eric Portman, Emlyn Williams, Moira Lister, Arthur Hill, Dandy Nichols, Jimmy Hanley, Miriam Karlin, Heather Thatcher, Bill Shine, Brian Oulton, Sidney James, Alec McCowen, Gibb McLaughlin, John Boxer, Gerald Campion, Raymond Francis
Location(s): Grisons (Switzerland), Hampshire, London
Region(s): London C-D, South East A-D, Switzerland
Storyline:
Saving Hester from her second suicide attempt, Miller finds out that she has been enduring a fraught affair with Freddie, a weak, feckless, likeable ex-RAF pilot with whom she is passionately in love, althought he cannot respond on the same level. Her marriage to Sir William is similarly without passion. Miller tells her that Freddie will always return and eventually destroy her, when he does so, having been offered a job in Canada, Hester manages to send him away for good.
Additional Information:
The film was originally uploaded by Simon James in 2014 when the guidelines for capture inclusion were tighter than today and was also from a poor quality print of the film that was not in the CinemaScope aspect ratio. This is a hard-to-find film and is not available on DVD or in a restored form, however, these captures are a substantial improvement on those previously displayed. Re-addressed by Richard Lovejoy with a few additional captures and customary supporting storyline text.
This picture was based on the 1952 play of the same name by Terence Rattigan as was the remake with Rachel Weisz in 2011. Neither should be confused with the shark film Deep Blue Sea (no ’The’). (SJ)
Can you help:
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
- 25 Jul 2014
Behind the credits we are looking east along Cheyne Walk, London SW10 towards Battersea Bridge from Blantyre Street.
Now, during rush hour. SJ
- Capture 2
- 12 Sep 2025
The camera starts to pan right. Looking across the Thames from Cheyne Walk to Battersea with St Mary’s Church Battersea Park Road extreme right, before settling on the second floor room of 124 Cheyne Walk to find Hester Page[Collyer] (Vivien Leigh) has taken an overdose.
The kiosk has gone but the tree is still there and St. Mary's Church peeping through on the right. SJ
- Capture 3
- 12 Sep 2025
Having said goodbye to her estranged husband Sir William Collyer (Emlyn Williams), Hester looks out of the window to see him about to get into his waiting car. Cheyne Walk.
Panning left without the height. SJ
- Capture 4
- 12 Sep 2025
The following morning we see a red Jaguar SS100 sports car approaching………….Cheyne Walk, SW10 looking east with Battersea Bridge.
The view east in a different season. SJ
- Capture 5
- 25 Jul 2014
……about to drop Freddie Page (Kenneth More) off after his games of golf. Cheyne Walk, SW10 looking west about to enter No 124.
A winter shot would show that the trees don't lie. 124 Cheyne Walk was demolished for the World's End Estate. SJ
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Together with some cigarettes from Hester’s dressing gown Freddie finds her suicide note and hurriedly leaves home. Looks like a studio set but included for completeness.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
In a bar he reminisces as to how his relationship with Hester started. It looks like footage from the 1952 Farnborough Air Show. Farnborough, Hants.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
The next time they meet is skiing. Simon James suggested, at what really may be, a back projection, of Klosters, Switzerland. Manuel Gurtner tells us that in fact, we see the village of Serneus in the Prättigau region, which has been part of the municipality of Klosters since 1975. Leigh and Moore standing at the spot, where Fäldweg branches off from Serneuserstrasse.
- Capture 9
- 02 Aug 2014
Time moves on to London……….Piccadilly Circus, W1
Peter sent this shot of the same location now, noting that the statue has moved but Shaftesbury Avenue hasn't. SJ
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
……..Royal Hospital Road SW3 with a taxi about to turn into Flood Street.
- Capture 11
- 25 Jul 2014
………and draw up outside Cheyne Court, Flats 31 – 40 for Hester to arrive at Freddie's where she learns he is going away for 10 weeks or so.
This shows the west side close to Royal Hospital Road. SJ
- Capture 12
- 25 Jul 2014
Back to the present and Hester seeks him out from the bar as he makes his way home. Cheyne Walk.
Now with a few more lines. SJ
- Capture 13
- 25 Jul 2014
Having briefly met with her husband during lunchtime he drops her home. Cheyne Walk looking west.
Looking east. The former pub 'The KIng's Arms' as seen in 'Otley' is in the background. SJ
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
To find Freddie sitting on the door step of what appears to be a studio reproduction of the real 124 Cheyne Walk. The film continues and ends with studio locations.