Atonement

Date: 2007
Director: Joe Wright
Production Company: Universal

Stars: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, Vanessa Redgrave, Brenda Blethyn, Gina MacKee
Location(s): Cambridgeshire, Cleveland, London, Shropshire, Sussex, Yorkshire

Region(s): London A-B, Midlands, North, South East A-D

Storyline:

Romantic drama in which a juvenile false accusation alters too many lives.

Additional Information:

This immensely touching film is a truly fraternal collaboration with grabs by Simon James and most nows by brother Robin. “The London residential street scenes were filmed in Lydhurst Avenue SW2, not so far from Balham where the story is set. I lived around the corner in the late 1990s and although hadn’t been back there in a decade I instantly recognised it when seeing the film for the first time,” says Andrew Fisher. Robert Burrell advises “Capture 26 is indeed the Fens, as are other parts of the film, during which the Denver Sluice can be seen in the background.”

Tony Hillman adds about capture 30 (Redcar), “It took about 3 weeks preparation with all sea-facing windows boarded up and occupants adequately recompensed for loss of light; a barge was brought up from the South and deposited on the beach. There were a number of WWII army vehicles including 4 ack ack guns and despite all the sand on the beach many tons were brought in to cover the road and promenade. Naturally all the present day street furniture was removed. After a week of filming it took about another 3 weeks to put everything back to normal. All this for about 5 minutes of screen time. Part of the old Redcar steel works, which were active at the time, were also used in shots of James McAvoy and others just before they reached the beach.”

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

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
26 Aug 2010

Ronan and McAvoy at Stokesay Court, near Onibury, Salop.

Brother Robin took a special trip to Shropshire for the next 21. Tours have to be arranged in advance but the house is proud of Atonement connection, sensibly appreciating the FIT phenomenon.

Capture 2
26 Aug 2010

Ronan.

£15 tour money a bit stiff but well spent by RJ.

Capture 3
26 Aug 2010

The fountain at Stokesay Court.

A different design now but the same place and proved by aton010n. RJ.

Capture 4
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 5
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court. McAvoy and Knightley's legs.

Now. RJ.

Capture 6
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 7
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 8
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 9
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 10
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 11
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 12
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 13
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 14
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 15
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 16
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Even the ruins are the same.. RJ.

Capture 17
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 18
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

No detail is overlooked. RJ.

Capture 19
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 20
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 21
26 Aug 2010

Stokesay Court.

Now. RJ.

Capture 22
26 Aug 2010

Scotland Place, London SW1.

Now. SJ.

Capture 23
26 Aug 2010

Great Scotland Yard. The location is also seen in 'Morning Call', 'Licenced to Love and Kill', 'The IPCRESS File' and 'The Crooked Sky' as well as 'Children of Men' which was filmed at much the same time when the street was being refurbished.

Still being refurbished. SJ.

Capture 24
26 Aug 2010

Great Scotland Yard, looking towards Whitehall.

Windows still boarded up. SJ

Capture 25
26 Aug 2010

Great Scotland Yard, filmed at much the same time as when the street was being refurbished.

Now. SJ.

Capture 26
'Now' required

Arty shot of the planes reflected in the dyke. Supposed to be wartime France but more likely the fens of Cambridgeshire as confirmed by Robert Burrell. (RL) ... Greg Slay observed the end credits thanked RSPB Ouse and Nene Washes (north-west of Cambridge). (SJ)

Capture 27
12 Feb 2011

A London street: click the date

Yes it is. Tony Reeves found this one. Lydhurst Avenue, London SW2 in the Streatham area. SJ

Capture 28
12 Feb 2011

Panning left. That sign is illegible.

But fortunately we don't have to read it now. Lydhurst Avenue on the corner of Mount Nod Road, London SW2. No post-box, different sign. SJ

Capture 29
26 Aug 2010

Back at Stokesay.

Not quite the right angle but it looks like the same pool. RJ.

Capture 30
10 Jan 2021

Part of the incredible tracking shot at Redcar, Yorkshire. More info in the banner section. Paul Sparrow recalls filming taking place the week he moved into the area "I was working at Redcar Blast Furnace and remember the movie crew filming outside the our offices towards the beach. It was quite fascinating to see a full sized ship on the beach and all the building fronts altered to replicate the era. The local cinema was transformed into a bar where the soldiers were filmed entering for a drink and was also where a premier took place after the production was complete."

James Wilks sent this in: "I couldn't get into the exact spot because they were demolishing the iconic art deco Regent Cinema that featured in the film (cries): I went to see E.T. there."

Capture 31
26 Aug 2010

Back in London. Garai walks up Lord North Street SW1. The location is seen in 'Mr. Turner' and 'An Education.

That's St John's Smith Square she's heading for. SJ.

Capture 32
26 Aug 2010

The interior.

Westminster Under School rehearsing for annual summer concert. SJ.

Capture 33
26 Aug 2010

Another angle.

I couldn't get that door to stay open. SJ.

Capture 34
12 Feb 2011

Garai on a London street. Distinctive doorways.

And here they are. Back on Lydhurst Avenue, SW2. Though I'm a little concerned by the Triffid-like growth of the vegetation. SJ

Capture 35
12 Feb 2011

Garai confronts Knightley. London SW2.

The rear of Mount Nod Road which is approached from Lydhurst Avenue. SJ

Capture 36
12 Feb 2011

Garai confronts Knightley. London?

A close-up of above. SJ

Capture 37
17 Nov 2014

Aldwych used as an air raid shelter and seen in countless films. And used for much more. I visited on an open day and they wouldn't let anyone down the stairs or lift. Bit of a rip off as there's only so much to a ticketing hall! RL and PW visited the station and this staircase is certainly not at Aldwych.

Nick Cooper says; Aldwych Tube station used as Balham station. This passageway is actually a studio mock-up, although it is closely based on the view looking back from the platform area at Aldwych. The major difference is that at the bottom of the stairs, there is an immediate right-angle turn to the right, so the wall visible on the left in the film shouldn't be there. In real life there is also a bulge in the tunnel wall at the top of the stairs on the left, which is the surround to the blocked-up passageway to the second (long-unused) platform. This can be seen best in the 5th image on my page for 'The Black Windmill' (first URL below). The other major difference is that the stairs are actually a continuous flight of 14-15 steps, without the leveled-off section in the middle seen in the film mock-up. This can be seen best in the 4th image on my page for 'Patriot Games' (second URL below) - not the full flight, but enough visible steps to show the difference. http://www.nickcooper.org.uk/subterra/lu/lufilmtv/tbwindmi.htm http://www.nickcooper.org.uk/subterra/lu/lufilmtv/pgames.htm

Capture 38
26 Aug 2010

Knightley and McAvoy in Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat between Seaford and Eastbourne, East Sussex. The location also appears in 'La Course à l’échalote', 'On the Double', 'Corruption', 'Half a Sixpence', 'Mr. Holmes' and 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'.