Black Torment, The

A carriage brings Sir Richard Fordyke and his new bride Elizabeth to meet her father-in-law, Sir Giles Fordyke. This appears to be the Grade II listed South Bridge taking Leighton Buzzard Road over the River Gade at Water End to the north-west of Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire.

Changing position to find the bridge through the surrounding undergrowth, Antony Blair captures the rather busy location.

Tom the coachman calls to Sir Richard that the house is in sight.

Almost complete, the two day journey from London continues.

Sir Richard is met by a cold reception from Black John as he prepares a team of horses to help the coach up the hill. This has the appearance of a set which could have been constructed in the grounds of The Vyne near Sherborne St. John Hampshire.

With the hill ascended and the additional horses detached, Sir Richard's coach carries on towards Fordyke. Bridge over the lake at The Vyne, Sherborne St. John, identified by Steve Randall. (SR)

Sadly this is all that remains of the bridge which was lost in a storm in 1986. The National Trust is hoping to restore it. (SR)

Closer now, the house comes into view. Looking into The Vyne estate from Vyne Road to the north east of Sherborne St. John in Hampshire.

A closer view of what is now a National Trust tearoom, taken from within the property. (SR)

The coach turns from the road to enter the driveway to Fordyke. The gateway to The Vyne on Vyne Road, Sherborne St. John.

A view of the gate today which is used as a goods entrance (SR).

The Vyne, a Grade I listed 16th-century house at Sherborne St. John near Basingstoke.

The view now dominated by the tree on the right. (SR)

Tom swings the coach around to stop at the front door. The Vyne at Sherborne St. John.

Unchanged as the visitor's entrance to the house. (SR)

Tom (Derek Newark) stands near as Harris (Norman Bird) greets Sir Richard Fordyke (John Turner) and Lady Elizabeth (Heather Sears). The Vyne also appears in 'Joanna', made four years later.

Eagles still guard the front door. (SR)

Bars are fitted to the casement that Sir Richard's late wife Anne fell from after Harris explains that every night the window "bangs open" at the same time.

A side door that appears to remain unchanged, now with added vegetation. (SR)

Reggie enters the stables to find another ladder. The Stable Block at The Vyne in Sherborne St. John.

The stable door, not so smart nowadays. (SR)

When questioned, Regis (Patrick Troughton) explains that Sir Richard's horse Prince wasn't fit after being out all night. The Vyne at Sherborne St. John in Hampshire.

No changes to report here. (SR)

In the grounds of Fordyke, Sir Richard encounters a ghost that resembles Anne. The grounds of The Vyne in Hampshire.

No statue when I visited, and the spot the capture was taken from is covered with trees. So this is from a little closer with a wide angle. (SR)

Finding Prince, Sir Richard mounts him and rides after the ghost. The Summerhouse in the grounds of The Vyne.

The Summerhouse is now tucked behind a hedge. (SR)

The funeral of Sir Giles takes place. St. Andrew's church at the junction of Vyne Road and Elm Road in Sherbourne St. John.

The points on the corners of the tower in the film are not there now, or in any of the old pictures of the church that I've seen. (SR)

All a bell tolls, Sir Richard, Lady Elizabeth and Colonel John Wentworth (Raymond Huntley) leave the church. St. Andrew's church at Sherbourne St. John, Hampshire.

I'm glad nobody arrived while I was crouching behind the grave. (SR)