Beast in the Cellar
Date: 1970
Director: James Kelley
Production Company: Tigon British Film Productions, Leander Films
Stars: Beryl Reid, Flora Robson, Tessa Wyatt, John Hamill, T. P. McKenna
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, Sussex
Region(s): South East A-D
Storyline:
Two sisters living near a rural barracks hold the answer to why soldiers are being brutally murdered.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
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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
Returning from manoeuvres on the Lancashire moors, the last of four armoured vehicles arrives back at barracks.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
The camera pans to follow the Daimler Ferret past the Guard House.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Following the fatal mutilation of a Soldier, Sir Bernard Newsmith (Vernon Dobtcheff) arrives at the scene where Chief Superintendent Paddick (T. P. McKenna) has started his investigation. Pinewood Studios Lot (Christopher Neame commentary) (NW)
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Returning from shopping, Ellie Ballantyne (Beryl Reid) approaches the front door of the house that she shares with her sister Joyce and brother Stephen. Hint: "About 2 miles from Pinewood on the main London-Oxford road" (Christopher Neame commentary) (NW)
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Riding on a scooter, Roy (Peter Craze) and Gloria (Anabel Littledale) arrive at a nearby farm.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
The couple enter a barn where they cuddle in the hay before an horrific attack.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Realising that Stephen isn’t in the locked cellar where he has lived for 30 years, Ellie looks for signs of his escape outside the house.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Joyce Ballantyne (Flora Robson) leaves the house to join her sister in the search.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
In a panic, the pair cover every inch of the homestead.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Ellie and Joyce check outbuildings where they come across a tunnel.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
That evening, as Joyce lies injured in bed, Ellie buries a body that was found near the tunnel.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
At the barracks, young privates Andy (Howard Rawlinson) and Baker (Chris Chittell) discuss the killings. Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Baker discovers that he’s out of cigarettes. Outside Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios, an often seen location that appears in ‘The Ghoul’, ‘House of Secrets’, ‘Twice Round the Daffodils’, ‘The Ware Case’ and ‘In the Doghouse’ amongst many other productions.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
While Andy holds his gun, Baker runs to the NAAFI before being attacked on the way back.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Ellie returns to the house.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
After the wall of the cellar is knocked down, Sergeant Young (John Kelland) leaves the house as a truck bringing Dog Handlers arrives from the barracks.
- Capture 17
- 28 Apr 2023
As the house and grounds are searched, Ellie tells the Chief Superintendent Paddick and Sergeant Young about events that occurred during the First World War. New Road Bridge carrying the railway south from Horsted Keynes station to the north-west of Horsted Keynes, Sussex.
John Harwood provides this view. (SJ)
- Capture 18
- 28 Apr 2023
Ellie explains that with Father returning from war in France, Mother took us to meet his train at the station. Looking down onto Station Approach running between Horsted Keynes and Burstow Hill.
John H. notices a no trespassing sign has been recently added. (SJ)
- Capture 19
- 14 Apr 2023
Arriving at the station with Joyce (Elizabeth Choice) and Ellie (Gail Lidstone), Mrs. Ballantyne steers the trap into the yard. Horsted Keynes station on Station Approach, Horsted Keynes in Sussex.
John Harwood found some heavier things than a trap. (SJ)
- Capture 20
- 14 Apr 2023
The camera moves with the family as Mrs. Ballantyne brings the trap to a stand. In front of Horsted Keynes station.
John panned right. (SJ)
- Capture 21
- 14 Apr 2023
On the station platform, a Railway Official watches the expected train approach. The southern end of platform 5 at Horsted Keynes station on the Bluebell Railway in Sussex.
A rather damp day for John's Bluebell excursion. (SJ)
- Capture 22
- 29 May 2025
Mrs. Ballantyne and her Daughters walk onto the platform. Horsted Keynes station features in other productions including 2012's 'The Woman in Black', ‘Adolf Hitler, My Part in His Downfall’, 'Norbert Smith: A Life', ‘The Theory of Everything’, 'Metro-Land', ‘The Naked Runner’ and ‘Savage Messiah’.
The ticket collector's booth was added in the mid 1980s, (SD)
- Capture 23
- 29 May 2025
The train slows to a halt and the two girls watch as the door of their Father’s compartment opens. Platform 5 at Horsted Keynes station.
I had to take this quickly as the train was due to depart and I was meant to be on it! (SD)
- Capture 24
- 14 Apr 2023
Shrieking after seeing her changed Father, young Joyce runs from the platform and through the station subway. The subway at Horsted Keynes station confirmed by James Holmes.
John threw more light onto the scene. (SJ)
- Capture 25
- 29 May 2025
Ellie makes her way from the station. The subway exit onto platforms 1 and 2 at Horsted Keynes station on Station Approach in Horsted Keynes, Sussex.
Platforms 1 and 2 are currently undergoing restoration work. (SD)