Bellman & True

In slow motion, a High Speed Train from the West Country pulls into Paddington station. Paddington terminus on Praed Street in London W2.

This was taken between platforms 4 & 5. SJ

Arriving from Torquay, Hiller (Bernard Hill) and his Stepson (Keiran O'Brien) make their way from the station. Looking along the carriage road at Paddington station from the junction of Praed Street and London Street. Views of the carriage road also feature in ‘Joanna’, ‘Murder in Reverse?’, ‘The Last Journey’ and ‘West 11’.

Some alteration is in progress on the right. SJ

Not realising that they are being followed, the pair cross the road on their way to a nearby hotel. Facing south-west on Praed Street W2.

Changes to the zebra crossing and hotel canopy here. SJ

Deciding to name themselves Hawkins, the alcoholic systems engineer and his Stepson approach the nondescript Paddington hotel where they check in for the night. Leinster Square, London W2 found by Steve Randall.

The north side of the street looking west. SJ

From across the road, a Man wearing a Walkman (Richard Strange) watches the two enter the building.

The skip's gone but a bit of scaffolding remains. SJ

The next morning, Brian Gort (Ken Bones) talks on the telephone as he keeps an eye on Hiller and the Boy's movements. Queensway W2, with numbers 177/179 to the right and the sign for the underground Ladies public convenience just visible to the top left.

A nice match with the ladies loo sign at the top left. And the yellow sign of Costas Barber Shop is still there. SJ

Leaving a newsagents, Hiller spots Gort along the street. Westbourne Grove W2 with the corner of Kensington Gardens Square in the background.

The Hayden pub and rooms is on the corner in the centre. SJ

Grabbing his Stepson's hand, Hiller runs with him from outside the shop followed by Gort. Looking west on Westbourne Grove with the since replaced Monmouth House at the corner of Monmouth Road to the top left.

I had to settle for ground level here. SJ

The two turn into a quiet side street. Facing east on Redan Place W2. The back street has since seen redevelopment.

Works are finally approaching an end after five years. SJ

As he remains hiding behind a group of bins, Hiller sends the youngster to a nearby underground station to buy two 50p tickets. Looking south on Redan Place in Bayswater.

The new rear of Whiteley's after demolition of the corner in the late 1980s and again in 2019. The south end can be seen in Two Left Feet. SJ

Gort resumes his pursuit when Hiller appears from the side street. The corner of Redan Place on Queensway W2 with The Redan public house on the right.

The north side of Redan Place is unchanged. SJ

The two run alongside a department store. This is Whiteleys department store on Queensway in Bayswater.

Reaching the tube station, Hiller looks for his Stepson. The booking hall at the disused Aldwych Underground station on Strand WC2.

Unable to see the Boy waiting by the lifts as instructed, Hiller runs down the emergency stairs. Aldwych station features in several productions including 'Their Finest', 'Death Line', 'Rogue Male', ‘Postman’s Knock’ and 'Prick Up Your Ears'.

At the bottom of the stairs, Hiller comes face to face with the Man wearing a Walkman. The bottom of the emergency stairs at Aldwych station on Strand WC2.

A taxi brings Gort and Hiller to Mayfair. Looking west on Charles Street W1 with the corner of Chesterfield Hill in the centre background.

Scaffolding-free. SJ

The cab comes to a stand outside a gaming club undergoing renovation. Facing number 16 Charles Street in Mayfair.

The scaffolding is down here also. Unusual for our Reelstreets comparisons. SJ

Hiller stands sobbing as he looks out from one of the club's upper windows before Salto enters the room and reunites him with his Stepson. Looking out from 16 Charles Street W1 with buildings on Curzon Street at the far end of Queen Street to the right.

After Salto demands a print out from a tape that he has paid Hiller £1000 for, Gort takes the computer programmer to Pauline's flat to ask if she or her dubious friend Anna will look after the Boy while the code is deciphered.

With the National General Bank's code cracked and the Bellman, Nob the Peterman and Mr. Samson the Guv'nor recruited, the Wheelman drives to the target premises on the Great West Road with two of the team. Facing west on Bath Road in Harlington, Greater London identified by James Holmes. The approach lights of former runway 05R can be made out to the extreme top left.

Ritchie the Wheelman (Jim Dowdall) parks outside the Heathrow branch of the bank before Mr. Samson (Derek Newark) sends Hiller inside to take photographs and check out the building. Argonaut House on Bath Road in Harlington.

When Hiller discovers unforeseen problems at the bank, Mr. Samson persuades him to solve them whilst threatening him with a sawn off shotgun.

In an attempt to stop him from getting bored, Hiller buys his Stepson a model yacht. Tris advises that this is the Middle Pond on Hampstead Heath in NW3 which also features in 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' and 'The Monster of Highgate Ponds'.

Denis Hoare found a duck to substitute for the yacht whilst remarking that the ponds have all had anti-flood measures added, in this case a big new concrete drain right in the corner. (RL)

Gort stands near as Hiller, Anna (Frances Tomelty) and the Boy enjoy sailing the boat. The Middle or Number 2 Pond on Hampstead Heath located by Tris.

Apart from the pond modifications mentioned in Capture 23, Denis noticed that the handrail and posts have all been renewed, with a wider spacing of posts, now wooden (I think) rather than concrete, and the height of the handrail lowered slightly. (RL)

Donkey (John Kavanagh) walks through Smithfield Market. Looking into the former West Market of Smithfield Market in London EC1 from next to the clock above Grand Avenue.

The clock ticks on. SJ

The camera follow Donkey as he walks towards Salto's Daimler Sovereign. Grand Avenue in the Grade II listed Smithfield Market.

This is the current arrangement of kiosks in Grand Avenue. SJ

In the back of the car, Hiller uses a device that he has constructed to find an item hidden by Donkey. Looking from Smithfield Market in EC1, across Charterhouse Street towards Cowcross Street to the left and St. John Street on the right. The market and surrounding streets feature in several productions including ‘Seven Days to Noon’, ‘Johnny English’, ‘Chaplin’, ‘Go to Blazes’ and ‘About a Boy’.

The rather busy view north from Grand Avenue. SJ

With the bank holding an estimated £12,875,000, on Thursday 16th December a rental truck reverses down the side of the premises. Facing eastward outside Argonaut House on Bath Road, Harlington.

Getting out of the truck, Mr. Samson cuts the bank's perimeter fence.

As the gang begin work, an articulated lorry pulls into the forecourt of a petrol station.

The shot moves to where Donkey brings the lorry to a stand close to the gates of Knight Security.

As the heist gets under way, Donkey keeps watch to alert the gang when the Security Guards leave.

Sirens wail as police cars join the security company's cars on their way to the National General Bank when the alarm is triggered.

The cars arrive outside the bank before the Police and Guards enter to find nothing amiss. Looking towards Argonaut House on Bath Road in Harlington.

Police and Security Guards return to the bank when the alarms sound for a second time.

Following a third false alarm, the gang continue with the robbery as Dog Handler Sergeant Hughes (Peter Jonfield) patrols outside the bank. Looking towards Argonaut House on Bath Road, Harlington.

With the heist completed, the gang make their escape.

Panning with the Daimler, the camera keeps track as it speeds from the scene.

The Wheelman spins the car around as the gang listen in to a police broadcast sending cars to the junction of Great West Road and Southall Road to intercept the gang.

Turning off the main road, the Daimler is driven into a garden centre.

Smashing through greenhouses and a fence, the car bounces across ground behind suburban homes.

The Daimler slides across a football pitch before heading down an entry that's narrower than the car.

Forcing the vehicle between two garages, the Wheelman drives on.

Regaining residential roads, the battered Daimler throws up sparks from its damaged chassis.

With parts falling off and the radiator steaming, the Wheelman wrestles to keep control of the car. Facing the roundabout at the junction of Dawley Road and Swallowfield Way in Hayes, Greater London found with the assistance of Paul Brennan.

Antony Blair returned to Swallowfield Way 33 years later.

The gang gain on a petrol tanker ahead. Spotting the sign to the left, Paul Brennan identifies this as outside RTZ Metals at 1 Swallowfield Way off Dawley Road in Hayes.

Taken from a similar position by Antony Blair.

Struggling to overtake the tanker, the Wheelman sees a coach approaching. Looking eastward along Swallowfield Way, located with help from Paul Brennan.

The same location with the same building to the right, captured by Antony Blair.

Horns sound, passengers scream and the Wheelman completes the manoeuvre just in time. Swallowfield Way in Hayes, Greater London confirmed by Antony Blair.

Antony found a more built up scene today.

The Daimler reaches a deserted quarry where a dusty red van is parked.

With the Daimler bulldozed into the water of a gravel pit, the crooks head to a transport café where Samson phones Salto. Watling Street Café on Old Watling Street at Flamstead, Hertfordshire.

Antony Blair travelled to the location which is now the Watling Street Rest Area.

The Guv'nor, Donkey, the Peterman, the Wheelman and Hiller arrive at accommodation organised by Monty. Dungeness Power Station at Dungeness in Kent.

After arriving with Salto and and Hiller's Stepson, Anna follows her daughter Mo across the shingle. The Old Lighthouse at Dungeness which also appears in ‘The Loves of Joanna Godden’ and ‘The Dark Man’.

Hiller and his Stepson bide their time whilst waiting for the lad to accompany Anna and the gang to Europe. One of about thirty "Railway Cottages" on the beach at Dungeness in Kent.

As Samson and the Peterman carry the suitcases, Anne and her daughter Mo (Kate McEnery) get into the back of the van. The beach at Dungeness.

After Hiller disposes of the other gang members, Salto drives him, Anna and the children away. To the left stands the Old Lighthouse at Dungeness in Kent.

Hiller watches Anna and Mo walk from the van as the injured Salto slumps over the steering wheel.

Salto is helped into a wartime pilbox by Hiller and the Boy.

Leaving Salto's body in Kent, Hillwer and his Stepson drive to Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 at Longford in Greater London. In this and other guises, the building can be seen in ‘Quest for Love’, ‘Scream . . . and Die!’, ‘Cone of Silence’, ‘Midnight Lace’, ‘Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River’ and ‘Three Hats for Lisa’.