Letter to Brezhnev

Establishing ariel shot over Liverpool's world famous waterfront. Looking towards the Royal Liver Building. One snippet from the Director's Commentary - the helicopter had to make an emergency landing in a field as the vibration was causing the camera to come loose from its mounting!

Taken from the terra firma of Birkenhead.

Teresa (Margi Clarke) at the gates of the Chicken factory in New Bird Street, Liverpool, L1.

Not a chicken factory but the site is still in use. Image: JT

Elaine (Alexandra Pigg) and Tracy (Tracey Lea) go for a night out at the social club. From Neil Rigby (NR): The club was known as "The Central" and later became The Market Trader public house. It was on St Chads Drive, Kirkby and has subsequently been demolished in favour of a new NHS centre. NR acknowledges thanks to Chris Bernard the Director and Alan Evans of Kirkby Library for the help and assistance.(RL) Interiors shot at "The Peacock", Kirkby.

Teresa meets Elaine and they both get a taxi to "The Acropolis Club". Lady of Mann, 19 Dale St, L2. Interiors shot at "The Swan".

Despite the obvious alterations, still recognisable.

They meet Rayner (Eddie Ross) and Dmitri (Syd Newman), Teresa pickpockets one of their wallets. Subway under the Liverpool Exchange Station (station demolished in the late 1970s). Junction of Pall Mall & Prussia St, L3.

Having identified the location in 2012 NR now provides a shot to replace his Google View.

At the other side of the subway, Rayner and Dmitri give chase on foot. The girls come in from behind and steal the car. East Street, L3.

Much redevelopment work going on around here.

At "The State" Club, they meet two Russian sailors Sergei (Alfred Molina) and Peter (Peter Firth). Returning from the loo, they see the Russians have gone. Outside, the girls luck changes.. Eberle Street, L2. Mentioned in Margi Clarke's autobiography (NR).

Looking from Dale Street (NR).

..they spot the Russians boarding a bus and Teresa fearlessly intercepts it. An article in the Liverpool Echo about Brezhnev 25 years on puts this in Duke Street, mostly rebuilt (NR). 17 Duke Street, L1.

Replacing NRs shot with Duke St in 2025.

Exploring the alleys together. Leather Lane off Dale Street with 'Rigby's' pub in the background.

Leather Lane now – not changed though the illuminated 'Tetley's 'sign has gone. Image: JT

Focusing in on Elaine and Peter. Leather Lane.

Leather Lane again. Image: JT

Peter points out a star that reminds him of home. Leather Lane.

The doorway is still there - now blue. Image: JT

Peter's star shining bright. Unidentified location.

NR provides further information from Director Chris Bernard: The Chippy was filmed on Duke Street at a chip shop next to the Blue Orchid restaurant that was at No.18 L15AS, kindly provided by Margaret Daley of Liverpool Library.(RL)

The area has since been redeveloped as evidenced by the shot from NR. (RL)

They all spend the night in The Shaftesbury Hotel. The next morning we cut to a shot over Mount Pleasant, L3. Looking towards Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral.

The Cathedral is now almost smothered by buildings.

Focusing in on The Shaftesbury Hotel, Mount Pleasant.

The Shaftesbury was demolished circa 2001.

Adjacent hotel rooms. Director's commentary states this was shot in Aigburth.

Elaine and Peter go to explore the city. Mount Pleasant with the Shaftesbury Hotel to the right.

Replacing StreetView shot from 2010.

The West side entrance to Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Cathedral Gate, L1.

View from 2011. Image: JT

Street life 1. Entrance to Lewis’s department store at the junction of Renshaw Street and Ranelagh Street, L1.

The department store has recently closed but the building remains unchanged. Image: JT

Street life 2. Looking down Ranelagh St towards Boots Chemists..

..in 2025 its Lloyds Bank.

Street life 3. Lime St towards St George's Hall, L1.

Many changes to the road layout.

Street life 4. Ranelagh St, L1.

The shrouded Midland.

Street life 5. Bold St / Ranelagh St, L1.

An entrance to the Clayton Square shopping centre slotted into the facade.

A bridge between cultures. Brunswick Way, Liverpool, L34BD. The bridge went with the Brunswick Dock redevelopment. The shot of the tower block was zoomed from here. The tower block had a fleeting appearance in Alan Bleasdale's "Boys from The Blackstuff". Excellent and thanks to NR.

Shot from 2011 taken by NR.

Mersey Ferry with the Royal Liver building in the background - are there any films shot in Liverpool that don't use this shot?...A snippet from NR: At the time of filming this ferry was called "Overchurch". She had a rebuild and was back in service in 1999. Under her current name "Royal Daffodil".

This was taken on the "Snowdrop" Mersey ferry, showing the Liver buildings: This is a great match by NR, just waiting for the right moment on the river, not easy. (SJ)

Peter gives Elaine his grandfather's locket. By the River Mersey looking towards the Albert Dock, L3.

Replacing NRs shot of 2011. The Albert Dock buildings and Harbour Master’s house in view. NR points out that the railings have been moved to the other side of the bollards during the redevelopment. (RL)

Looking over to Birkenhead. Cammell Laird Shipbuilders (left), Woodside Ventilation Station (centre). Pier Head, L3.

Slightly further south. The ventilation station serves the Queensway Tunnel.

Now back at Peter's ship. Looking across to Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead, CH41.

Looking across Duke St, this was about as close as I could get and still get a recognisable shot.

Their final moments together, separated by an iron curtain... Duke St, Birkenhead NR.

The actual location being behind those trees.

At least Sergei is content to leave... The "Carinthia" berthed at Vittoria Dock.

Standing on Duke St looking in the direction of Vittoria Dock.

Sometime later, after speaking to Teresa and Vinny (Writer/Executive Producer, Frank Clarke), Elaine decides to write a letter to the then Soviet President, Brezhnev. Home of the film's director, documented in the Liverpool Echo newspaper. Livingston Drive North, Liverpool L17. NR.

"N...N...N...N...Nineteen"

Elaine clutching her letter to Brezhnev with sister Josie (Angela Clarke). The corner of Park Road and High Park Street, Dingle, L8. Identified by NR.

"If it isn't bloomin' scaffolding, its a large supermaket chain..."

Tracy catches up with them and gets into an argument with Elaine. Melville St and Miles Street, Dingle, L8. NR.

Many changes but loosely recognisable.

Look back in anger. Tracy comes off the worse. Melville St, L8 looking over to Coulsdon Place.

Flying the flag...

At The Kremlin, Moscow, a letter has been received... In reality, Birkenhead town hall! NR.

NR's proof.

Panning shot over the city 1. Looks like it was taken from the vicinity of St George's Hall.

Panning shot over the city 2. Looks like it was taken from the vicinity of St George's Hall.

Establishing shot of a street near Elaine's home. We also see a postman delivering a special letter for her - from The Kremlin, and with an air ticket. Upper Frederick Street / Hardy Street, L1. Identified by NR.

Building on the left corner was "The Queens" pub. Upper Frederick St now dissected at Duncan St by new housing.

Newspaper hack (Ken Campbell) picks up on Elaine's story. Flint Street / New Bird Street, L1.

Flint Street 2011. Image: JT

Elaine and Josie go to see Teresa at the Chicken factory. Flint Street / New Bird Street.

That helpful street sign is still there. Image: JT

Josie picks up some "free" Chicken from Teresa. New Bird Street.

New Bird Street in 2011. Image: JT

The journalist gets the story from the girls. Flint Street.

Flint Street in 2011. Image: JT

Sunset over Cammell Laird.

Elaine's Mum (Eileen Walsh) packs her off with a thick coat. Upper Frederick St.

Parked vehicles meant I had to take it from here.

To Russia with Love. Teresa chaperones Elaine to the airport. Terminal 3 Departures, Manchester Airport, according to Margi Clarke's film commentary.

And just over a year later, Neil W. sent in this shot, finally using Terminal 3 and appreciating that there have been alterations after 40 years. (SJ)