Handful of Dust, A
Date: 1988
Director: Charles Sturridge
Production Company: London Weekend Television, Stagescreen Productions.
Stars: James Wilby, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jackson Kyle, Rupert Graves, Alec Guinness, Beatie Edney, Christopher Godwin, Tristram Jellinek
Location(s): Bolívar (Venezuela), East Sussex, West Sussex, London, North Yorkshire
Region(s): London E-G, North, Rest Of The World, South East E-L
Storyline:
An English aristocrat’s crumbling marriage leads him into a disastrous journey to South America, where he becomes trapped in a surreal and lonely fate.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Steve Randall
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- Capture 1
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The film opens with a dream sequence showing Tony Last (James Wilby) happily swimming under a waterfall as his wife Brenda (Kristin Scott-Thomas) looks on. Canaima National Park, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela.
- Capture 2
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The couple live a humdrum life at Tony's pseudo-Gothic ancestral home, Hetton Abbey. Their son John Andrew ( Jackson Kyle) is shown having a riding lesson on the grounds. Carlton Towers, Selby, North Yorkshire
- Capture 3
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Bored with country life. Brenda travels increasingly to London, Town Place Bridge, Bluebell Railway, West Sussex.
Unwilling to trespass on the line, John Harwood offers this distant view of the bridge from a trip on the Flying Scotsman.
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On an escalator, Brenda talks to her sister Marjorie (Beatie Edney) about John Beaver, a London socialite who came to visit.
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Returning from a dinner, Brenda embarks on an affair with Beaver (Rupert Graves). Waverton Street W1, facing St. George’s Primary School in South Street.
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Brenda travels back to London where she has now bought a flat. The Bluebell Railway again.
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Tony decides to make a surprise visit to London. John Andrew greets him at the station. I had originally identified this as Horsted Keynes station, but John Harwood pointed out at the rear are steps to an over bridge. There is only one on the Bluebell Railway, so this is Sheffield Park Station.
- Capture 8
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They leave the platform. John Harwood recognised the on-platform signal box that identifies Sheffield Park Station on the Bluebell Line in West Sussex.
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A hunting party sets off. Carlton Towers.
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Sadly John Andrew is killed in a hunting accident. A devastated Brenda decides to leave Tony and file for divorce. Carlton Towers.
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Tony meets Milly (Cathryn Harrison) at Victoria Station, preparing to travel to Brighton to fake infidelity for the divorce. Not the only fake, as this is Paddington Station W2.
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Setting the scene for the subterfuge is Brighton Palace Pier, Madeira Drive, Brighton, East Sussex.
- Capture 13
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Tony gets a maid to observe breakfast in bed with Milly. The Royal Crescent Hotel, Marine Parade, Brighton.
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Calling off the expensive divorce, Tony intends to go abroad for six months and visits a travel agency. The view out of the window is of Christ Church Mayfair, 7 Down St, London W1.
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Tony meets explorer Dr. Messinger (Christopher Godwin) and decides to go on an expedition with him. 46 Bury Street SW1.
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Off they go to Brazil, represented by Canaima National Park, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela.
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The waterfall, where Dr. Messinger meets his doom. Canaima Lagoon, Canaima National Park.
- Capture 18
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With no settlement forthcoming, Beaver loses interest in Brenda. He bids her goodbye as she leaves in a taxi. St. James's Square, with number 16 on the left.
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Tony's life is saved by Mr. Todd (Alec Guiness), who keeps Tony in his hut and forces him to read Dickens to him every day.
- Capture 20
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Meanwhile Brenda lives a downmarket life with no settlement coming through. A trip to the cinema, which may well be a set.
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A funeral service is held for Tony who is presumed dead., with the estate passed to his cousins. Carlton Towers.
- Capture 22
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Brenda leaves the ceremony alongside friend Jock (Pip Torrens) and Tony's cousin Richard (Tristram Jellinek). Unconfirmed location.