Assault

Date: 1971
Director: Sidney Havers
Production Company: The Rank Organisation

Stars: Suzy Kendall, Frank Finlay, Freddie Jones, Lesley Anne Down, James Laurenson
Location(s): Berkshire, Buckinghamshire

Region(s):

Storyline:

A vicious rapist-murderer is on the prowl near an all-girls school. A young teacher who glimpsed the killer but was unable to identify him decides to act as bait to lure the fiend out from the shadows.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Steve Randall.

Also known as ‘In the Devil’s Garden’ (US title).

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A tall electricity pylon oversees the film’s setting.

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A girl’s school with a familiar look about it. Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, featuring in over 60 films on ReelStreets.

Schoolgirl Tessa (Lesley-Anne Down) leaves for the day with her friends through the gates of Heatherdene School (someone had to think hard to come up with that name). The gates to Heatherden Hall in Pinewood Road.

Those gates today.

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Tessa takes a short cut through the woods where she is brutally assaulted. Pinewood Road.

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Tessa is in a traumatic state as she is sent to hospital to recuperate. The gardens of Heatherden Hall, which is called upon to represent the hospital as well as the school.

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Doctor Lomax (James Laurensen) shows his concern. The rear of Heatherden Hall.

A few days later another pupil Susan (Anabel Littledale) disappears as she takes a short cut through the woods. Pinewood Road.

The top of the gatepost is partially obscured by a tree, but the main change is the addition of a pavement.

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Art teacher Julie West (Suzy Kendall) drives a group of girls through the school gates. Heatherden Hall’s exit onto Pinewood Road.

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Noticing that a girl has gone missing, Julie turns off into the woods. Black Park? But no, Michael B. enlarged and lightened the street sign to read Harehatch Lane, making this the northern entrance into Egypt Woods just off the A355 between Beaconsfield and Farnham Common.

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When the car gets stuck in mud, Julie glimpses the murderer and finds Susan’s strangled body. Egypt Woods, per Michael B.

After hearing Julie’s lurid description of the murderer at the inquest the press rush off to write their stories. A shifty reporter (Freddie Jones) emerges through the side door. Beaconsfield Old Town Registration Office, 29 Windsor End, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

Being in the area Phil Richards managed this shot for us revealing that the door is no more, replaced by some trellis work. He believes that the door was where the 2nd pot is from the left. (RL)

Reporters rush down the street pursuing Julie. Windsor End, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

The scene today shows Windsor End awash with parked cars.

As Julie ducks into an alley to escape the crowd, the reporter waits. Windsor End, Beaconsfield, looking south, with the Registration Office and Greyhound pub to the left. Also seen in 'The Man in the Road'.

Now with a ramp for the disabled.

Julie reappears. Windsor End, Beaconsfield, looking north.

A winter view showing trees minus leaves, and parked cars dominating.

The reporter catches up with Julie and in her struggle to get a way, she is almost hit by a car. Doctor Lomax comes to her rescue. 5 London End, Beaconsfield, which also appears in 'Just William's Luck'. The redbrick shop on the left is also seen in 'Press for Time'.

Crossing and belisha beacon due for another repaint.

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Doctor Lomax drives Julie to her house.

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Having secured a date with Julie, Doctor Lomax leaves.

The reporter is summoned to the police station. He arrives in his Jaguar YK120. Slough Police Station, Windsor Road, Slough, in Buckinghamshire at the time.

The entrance looking somewhat different after 52 years.

Inside the police station, Julie offers to act as bait to root out the murderer by announcing in the papers that she will produce a detailed drawing of him. The police and the reporter agree. Slough Police Station in Windsor Road.

The building looking somewhat the same after 52 years.

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Newspapers are delivered to the County Hospital. A set constructed on the Pinewood Studio back lot which was built to represent Wellington Barracks in ‘The Breaking of Bumbo’ and also appears in 'The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins' as well as 'Hands of the Ripper'.

Doctor Lomax drives Mr. Bartell (Anthony Ainley), the hospital manager, to his home. Packhorse Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, looking south.

The row of shops from ground level, with Boots occupying the same spot.

On the way Lomax discusses his idea to use Sodium Pentathol to help Tessa remember the detail of the incident. West Common, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.

The building to the right in the capture has been replaced.

Mr. Bartell offers use of his house and equipment to carry out the experiment. Walpole House, 22 West Common, Gerrards Cross, also seen in 'Wombling Free'.

The scene now, minus the large oak which disappeared sometime between 2010 and 2015.

That evening Tessa is brought to the house for treatment. Walpole House, West Common.

In daylight, and at ground level.

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After an attempt on Tessa's life. the murderer escapes through the garden into the woods, where events come to a shocking conclusion.