Double X: The Name of the Game

A Sealink liveried ferry approaches Stranraer after crossing the Irish Sea from Larne. This is Loch Ryan to the north of Stranraer in Dumfries & Galloway.

The ferry terminal has gone in Andy McArthur's shot, with all buildings removed. This view is towards the railway station which is located adjacent to the former ferry terminal.

Michael Cooper makes his way from the ferry. The walkway from Stranraer station.

Andy McArthur explains that a new ferry terminal was built at Cairnryan to the north of Stranraer and the site of the terminal at Stranraer was cleared and sold for development.

A car hire Agent (Morag Owen) shows Michael Cooper (William Katt) to the BMW that he’s rented. Stranraer Ferry Terminal.

Cooper drives away from the port. Looking towards the East Pier from the former Ferry Terminal’s vehicle loading apron. Ferry services from the port ceased in 2011.

Heading south from Stranraer, Cooper heads for Portpatrick. Facing north at the junction of the A77 and the A716 in Dumfries & Galloway with Endfield House in the left background.

Dave Buckley provides the first of a fine series of comparative shots. (RL)

The shot follows the car as it corners. Looking along the A77 Portpatrick Road towards Lochans with Mount Pleasant in the distance.

Dave preferred the safety of the path for this shot evidencing further greenery growth. (RL)

Cooper arrives at his destination. The car park of the Portpatrick Hotel with Heugh Road through the gateway.

Dave found that there was only one flag flying now.....that of Scotland. (RL)

After getting out of the BMW, Cooper looks across towards an Austin Allegro and Portpatrick Harbour beyond.

A wider angled shot from Dave to provide a more balanced photograph. (RL)

Carrying his holdall, the traveller heads for the hotel. The Portpatrick Hotel in Portpatrick, Dumfries & Galloway.

Same hotel different traveller. Andy McArthur stands in to replicate the scene.

Cooper admires the view from the dining room before engaging with a man named Arthur sitting at the next table. Portpatrick Harbour with North Crescent and South Crescent curving away to the south.

Dave draws our attention to the development of housing above the port, mainly along the line of the old railway. (RL)

When he sees a Stranger enter the dining room, Arthur Clutten (Norman Wisdom) excuses himself and runs from the hotel.

As so often happens Dave's camera position was determined by parked vehicles. (RL)

Arthur reaches the car park to see a plane fly overhead as a Woman gets out of her car.

No plane in Andy McArthur's shot and no changes to the scenery either.

Arthur’s car explodes, throwing the Woman to the ground.

Without the smoke, Andy McArthur's view appears quite barren.

The Stranger stares at Arthur before turning away and disappearing behind the wall.

Dave found that amongst the changes the lights on top of the wall above the steps have been removed. (RL)

Distraught, Arthur makes his way from the hotel on foot before he is picked up by Cooper in his BMW. Heugh Road in Portpatrick.

The trees on both sides of the road have now gone Dave found. (RL)

A fire engine approaches a junction. The corner of Main Street and Braefield Road in Portpatrick with a former railway bridge abutment to the centre.

A red car stood in for a fire engine whilst Dave took this shot. (RL)

Cooper speeds towards the junction, just missing the appliance. The corner of Main Street and Braefield Road.

In providing this shot Dave tells us that looking at old maps, this bridge did not carry a railway line, but an access road into the station which would have been behind the camera. (RL)

As they near the village, a car begins to follow Cooper and Arthur. The junction of Main Street and St. Patrick Street.

Dave's patience was not rewarded by the car moving but he could note that the door and window frames had changed colour. (RL)

Cooper tries to shake the pursuer off. Welsh Place, Portpatrick.

Our thanks and that of Dave go to the groundsman of the bowling club, who knowing about the film, was very happy to allow him in to take this shot from behind the now changed railings. (RL)

Welsh Place, approaching the junction with North Crescent.

Again, different railings, and Dave also found that the gate to the grounds had been widened. (RL)

The Rover SD1 keeps up. North Crescent with Welsh Place joining to the left.

The passing years had witnessed very little change here Dave found. (RL)

Facing north on North Crescent.

Again, another very similar scene, thanks nonetheless Dave. (RL)

Cooper turns into a narrow side street. Looking into Blair Terrace from North Crescent.

Dave was, however, rewarded with changes here, the wall on the right has gone and there has been development of the Waterfront hotel which is now nice shade of blue! (RL)

The chase continues through the village. North Crescent with the Portpatrick Hotel above the village to the left.

A wheelie bin crept into Dave's shot. (RL)

The Rover takes to the promenade in an effort to overtake Cooper and his passenger. South Crescent with the entrance to Barrack Street in the centre background.

More changes for Dave to report on, the railings around the harbour have been replaced and there is a seat on the pavement, partly hidden by a waste bin. (RL)

The end of South Crescent in Portpatrick . . . . and the Rover.

Without building material to hinder Dave's view he took this shot of the end of the road around the harbour that is really just a turning circle. A fitting climax to a fine set of shots from Dave. (RL)

In flashback, a Rolls Royce approaches Iggy’s club where Arthur is waiting.

Bodyguards (Ian Worrel and Elwin 'Chopper' David) look after their boss Edward Ross (Simon Ward) as he gets out of the car.

When Arthur announces that he wishes to retire from the organisation, Ross tells him to take a few weeks holiday after the next job.

The shot pans to bring more of the city into view.

Inside Arthur's home, his daughter Sarah comes down to breakfast to find him asleep at the table.

The camera tilts down the front of the house.

Arthur puts phase one of his plan into operation. Stoke Road, Slough in Berkshire with wall of the former Leopard Coffee House on the left.

The buildings survive, as Antony Blair proves.

Arthur arrives outside the antique shop with Jenny Eskridge (Gemma Craven) and Sarah (Chloë Annett). Looking south on Stoke Road in Slough. The distant skyline has since been redesigned somewhat.

Antony Blair's view has a different skyline.

A boat floats down the Thames. This channel runs between the Berkshire Shore of the River Thames and Monkey Island near Bray.

Ross meets with a Minister (Derren Nesbitt) who asks if it's true that he wants to enter politics. The Monkey Island Hotel on Monkey Island.

Phase two of Arthur's plan is put into action. Reading station on Station Hill, Reading in Berkshire.

Andrew Price's view shows that a coffee shop has been added, WH Smiths has replaced John Menzies, and we now only need an "I" to tell us where to go for information.

An envelope is posted and there's no going back. The concourse at Reading station.

The now single daily collection from the post box and a proliferation of fast food outlets confirm that this picture by Andrew Price was indeed taken in 2019!

Arthur deposits a package at the stations left luggage office.

Back in the present, the BMW breaks down and Cooper leads Arthur to a remote castle for shelter. Looking towards Dunskey Castle above Castle Bay in Dumfries & Galloway.

From a distance, Dunskey Castle sits on the cliff top in Andy MacArthur's closer and much clearer view.

Overnight the two men talk, getting to know each other. Dunskey Castle near Portpatrick. Andy McArthur advises that the castle has been a location for 1951's 'Kidnapped' and also 'Hunted' from the following year as well as the BBC drama 'Two Thousand Acres of Sky'.

Captured by Andy, it's an eerie site day or night.

The following morning, Cooper leaves Arthur resting as he goes to retrieve something from the next chamber. Dating from the 12th Century, the castle was in ruins by the end of the 1600s.

Andy MacArthur found that the castle is even eerier inside as it decays gradually with no sign of restoration.

The hit-man returns and shoots his target. Dunskey Castle stands about ½ mile south of Portpatrick.

Little change is noticed in Andy MacArthur's matching shot.

Having rescued Arthur’s daughter after she’s kidnapped by Ignatious 'Iggy' Smith, the now injured Cooper stops at a petrol station.

Waking to find her hero on the banks of a lake, Sarah Clutten gets out of the car.

Sarah nears Cooper as he tends to his wounds. This may be Tyke's Water Lake in Aldenham Park, Hertfordshire but confirmation is needed.

Cooper calls Iggy as Sarah shops for provisions.

Having arranged a rendezvous in a quarry, the pair look down on Iggy's car.

As the two approach, Ignatious Smith (Bernard Hill) waits before revealing to Sarah that Cooper killed her father.

The Minister attends a party thrown by Ross. The Monkey Island Hotel on Monkey Island in the River Thames.

The film approaches its end as Ignatious takes his boss Ross on a short helicopter ride. The Monkey Island Hotel on Monkey Island near Bray on Thames, Berkshire.