Killing Dad or How to Love Your Mother
Date: 1989
Director: Michael Austin
Production Company: British Screen Productions
Stars: Richard E. Grant, Denholm Elliot, Anna Massey, Justin Case, Laura Del Sol, Laura del Sol, Jonny Phillips, Kevin Short, Emma Longfellow, Peter Geddis
Location(s): Essex, London, Surrey
Region(s): London H-L, South East E-L
Storyline:
A neurotic young man, deeply devoted to his overbearing mother and resentful of the father who abandoned them years earlier, travels to a seedy seaside town with the intent of murdering his long-lost dad — only to become entangled with the father’s boozy, seductive girlfriend.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Steve Randall
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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
- 'Now' required
Berg (Richard E. Grant) returns to his home in the film's Harlow New Town after an unsuccessful day attempting to sell hairdressing products. This row of BISF houses. Christopher Matheson (www.londononlocation.co.uk) has kindly forwarded a newspaper extract of the time revealing that filming took place in Laleham Road, Shepperton, Surrey. Reviewing the film both he and I have established No 270 as that used. (RL)
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Berg enters his front path passing the annoying dog. 270 Laleham Road, Shepperton, see the previous Capture. (RL)
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
The scene shifts to the Palace Hotel, Church Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, known today as the Park Inn by Radisson Palace.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
In the hotel a man is writing a letter.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
It is Berg's long-absent father Nathy (Denholm Elliot) who wants to return home. He leaves the hotel to post his letter. Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Delivering the letter, a postman (Justin Case) picks up a dustbin lid as he enters Berg's house. Laleham Road, Shepperton, the postman about to enter No 270. (RL)
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
He fends off the vicious dog as he delivers the letter. 270 Laleham Road, Shepperton, see Capture 1. (RL)
- Capture 8
- 17 Mar 2026
Berg's mother Edith (Anna Massey) sends off Berg to collect his dad from Southend. But this is King's Cross Station, Euston Road, London N1.
The north view from platform 8. SJ
- Capture 9
- 17 Mar 2026
Edith waves Berg goodbye in the reverse POV. Kings Cross station.
The south view from platform 8. As in the previous, this is taken standing under the elevated walkway. SJ
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
The train is on its way. Unidentified location.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Berg arrives in Southend. Marine Parade, at the eastern end of Pier Hill.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
He looks across the road towards Southend Pier.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Berg passes a postbox. Western Esplanade.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
Berg climbs the steps up from Pier Hill...
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
...and reaches the Palace Hotel. He checks in under an assumed name, intent on finding his dad and doing him in.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Incognito, Berg meets his father and they take a walk passing the Happidrome arcade, 52 Marine Parade.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
The head into a public toilet for a chat. Nathy has been thrown out of the hotel and needs Berg's help.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required
Berg helps to retrieve his belongings, including a life-size ventriloquist dummy. He takes them to Nathy's new hideaway, the film's Seaview Towers.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
Leaving Seaview Towers in a hurry, the pair bump into a wedding car. Royal Terrace, Southend.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required
They stop to have a coffee on Southend Pier.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
Berg is tempted to push his dad into the sea as they walk along the lower deck of Southend Pier.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
His failed attempt is spotted by Luisa (Laura del Sol) a flamenco dancer. Southend Pier.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required
Nathy's partner Judith (Julie Walters) arrives and takes him back. Southend Pier.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required
Berg is left carrying the dummy. Southend Pier.
- Capture 25
- 'Now' required
After an argument Judith throws the dummy out of the window onto a gang of three (Jonny Phillips, Kevin Short, Emma Longfellow) who run off with it. Pier Hill.
- Capture 26
- 'Now' required
The gang throw the dummy onto a bonfire, before it is retrieved by Berg and Nathy.
- Capture 27
- 'Now' required
After a night in which Berg believes he has strangled Nathy, Luisa is seen on the beach.
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required
Berg and Judith carry Nathy's "body" wrapped in a carpet. Pier Hill, with the Royal Hotel in the background.
- Capture 29
- 'Now' required
They carry the load along the seafront...
- Capture 30
- 'Now' required
...and cross a zebra crossing. Western Esplanade.
- Capture 31
- 'Now' required
They enter an alley...
- Capture 32
- 'Now' required
...where the gang is waiting.
- Capture 33
- 'Now' required
Judith confronts the gang.
- Capture 34
- 'Now' required
Berg enters Southend station.
- Capture 35
- 'Now' required
The Station Master (Peter Geddis) is unconcerned as Berg checks the body into left luggage.
- Capture 36
- 'Now' required
Finding Nathy alive Berg rushes back to the left luggage office. Southend Station.
- Capture 37
- 'Now' required
Julia has retrieved the "body" which turns out to be the ventriloquist's dummy. She leaves for her next engagement in Broadstairs, and Berg sees her off at the station.
- Capture 38
- 'Now' required
Berg's mother arrives and starts to search for Nathy. Eastern Esplanade, with the entrance to Lifstan Way indicated by the sign.
- Capture 39
- 'Now' required
The search continues.
- Capture 40
- 'Now' required
Edith looks for Nathy in the Moravia Hotel...
- Capture 41
- 'Now' required
...but no luck there. The Moravia Hotel at 159-161 Eastern Esplanade was demolished in 2002, making way for a block of flats.
- Capture 42
- 'Now' required
Edith decides to go home and leaves Berg to search for Nathy.
- Capture 43
- 'Now' required
Nethy returns to claim his dummy, but Berg runs off with it. Pier Hill.
- Capture 44
- 'Now' required
Nathy and the gang chase after Berg.
- Capture 45
- 'Now' required
Berg heads off on the Southend Pier train.
- Capture 46
- 'Now' required
The train sets off down the pier.
- Capture 47
- 'Now' required
Nathy and the gang give chase.
- Capture 48
- 'Now' required
Berg throws the dummy in the sea.
- Capture 49
- 'Now' required
The gang look on as Berg falls in the sea followed by his dad. Southend Pier.
- Capture 50
- 'Now' required
Berg and Judith leave the hotel.
- Capture 51
- 'Now' required
Berg and Judith's taxi arrives in the film's Harlow. 270 and 272 Laleham Road, Shepperton, see Capture 1. (RL)
- Capture 52
- 'Now' required
Berg enters his mother's home to find her in bed with his dad. 270 Laleham Road, Shepperton, see Capture 1. (RL)
- Capture 53
- 'Now' required
Berg runs out of the back of the house. 270 Laleham Road, Shepperton, see Capture 1. (RL)
- Capture 54
- 'Now' required
He sees a bus approaching as he reaches the road.
- Capture 55
- 'Now' required
Berg catches the bus..
- Capture 56
- 'Now' required
As the bus travels on, Berg asks the conductor how he could get to Broadstairs.
- Capture 57
- 'Now' required
The bus disappears over a bridge.