Brief Encounter (1974)

As they wait for their train, a Boy flies a paper plane while Anna Jesson (Sophia Loren) sits reading. The sign reads Winchester but this is Brockenhurst station in Brockenhurst, Hampshire.

The very same location. (PW)

After Alec Harvey kindly removes dust from her eye before she catches her train, Anna arrives at her local station. This is Shawford station on the South Western Main Line between Winchester and Southampton.

The middle-class housewife descends from the platform. The steps down from the up, London bound, platform at Shawford station.

Leaving the station, Anna walks over to her car. Shawford station on Shawford Road in Shawford, Hampshire.

Reversing to turn the car, Anna drives from the station car park. Shawford station in Shawford with the attached Station House standing to the right of the booking hall.

A collision nearly occurs as Anna changes channels on the radio. The is Shawford Road with the bridge in the right background carrying the railway line.

The rest of the journey passes without event and Anna soon arrives home.

Parking the Hillman Estate on the drive, Anna is greeted by her dog.

Anna finds her husband Graham Jesson (Jack Hedley) at the back of the house.

Mrs. Gaines (Rosemary Leach) hovers outside the Citizens Advice Bureau where Anna volunteers as Grace (Madeleine Hinde) appears at the door and calls to Mrs. Baxter. The rear of properties in Cathedral Yard that front The Square, Winchester.

It presents a rather sadder image these days. (RL)

Grace hands forms and paperwork to Mrs. Baxter as Mrs. Gaines enters the building to speak with Anna. Cathedral Yard with opening leading to the left giving onto the corner of The Square and Market Street.

Keith Lanham returned to the location.

Alec Harvey (Richard Burton) walks across the green outside the Citizens Advice Bureau. Looking across Cathedral Yard to the backs of buildings on The Square.

Nick Boorman notes that as well as the trees being removed, the doorway to the left has been bricked up.

Taking her lunch break, Anna looks up when Alec says hello. Cathedral Yard in Winchester.

The oddly positioned bench in the screen capture may have been a prop as in Nick Boorman's view there are no seats near the chest tomb,

Following a short conversation in which Anna learns that Alec is a Doctor, the two part company. Cathedral Yard to the north of Winchester Cathedral.

A clearer view of the background buildings from Keith Lanham.

Anna watches Alec walk away before her attention is diverted. Paul Joslin advises that although the story involves Winchester Cathedral, in a later scene the Choir of Salisbury Cathedral appears and adds that the sound of Salisbury's bells can be heard in the background.

Nick Boorman found that the statue's plinth has become a little bit grubby since 1974.

After meeting in the station buffet on their way home, Anna and Alec walk onto the platform. Brockenhurst station on the South Western Main Line between Southampton and Bournemouth.

Why have a welcoming buffet when you can provide an impersonal machine. (PW)

Before crossing to catch his train, Alec suggests that the two meet again near the Cathedral. Platform 2 at Brockenhurst station.

The scene remains recognisable. (PW)

The Doctor appears on the adjacent platform just as the Basingstoke train pulls in. Looking over to platforms 3 and 4 at Brockenhurst station in Hampshire.

The steps have since been renewed. (PW)

During another lunch break, Anna and Alec enjoy a walk together. The flying buttresses of the Nave wall at Winchester Cathedral, which can also be seen in 'Number 13'.

Keith Lanham found railings, static and moveable.

Alec asks Anna if she can get away early from the office. The lawn to the south of Winchester Cathedral which is seen in 'Stranger in the House'.

The chain fence survives in Keith Lanham's comparison.

At the G.P.'s suggestion, the two attend the Mystery Plays where Anna tells him that she feels guilty. The grounds of Wolvesey Castle in Winchester.

Leaving during the performance, Anna talks about her childhood. The playing fields within the walls of the medieval Wolvesey Castle in Winchester.

I should have been further to the right but access to the playing fields was not possible, perhaps because it was half-term. (RL)

The Mystery Play continues as Anna and Alec make their way to the station's crowded buffet.

The tree line supports the general direction but now having visited and watched the film I am better informed to achieve the corrcet angle given access to playing field. (RL)

On the drive home, Anna parks the car in a grove and lights a cigarette as she pauses to think. Richard Reeves recognised this small clump of pine alongside a road crossing heathland as being on the B3056 between Beaulieu Road station and Beaulieu. The hill rising in the right distance is Woodfidley Inclosure.

With her mind on other things, Anna watches her husband playing cricket.

On a sunny day, Anna forgoes work to meet with Alec before the pair drive to the coast. Looking toward the Cathedral in Winchester.

Without the foliage by Keith Lanham.

Alec declares that he and Anna have fallen in love. The footbridge over the River Itchen at Ovington near Alresford in Hampshire identified by Richard Cox.

Richard captured the location whilst out walking.

The couple make their way to the harbour. Chris Cooper identifies this as the Town Quay in Lymington, Hampshire, next to the Ship Inn. The location can also be seen in 'The Cat Gang'.

This is viewed from beside the Town Slip. (SD)

The shot pans right with a yacht on the river . . . . The Lymington River Chris Cooper tells us, recalling that "I was on a sailing holiday with my parents when filming was taking place and Richard Burton and Sophia Loren were using the Ship Inn as a base. At the end of one day's shooting I waited at the back of the pub and eventually both appeared. Richard stopped and we had a chat before both gave me their autographs. No paparazzi or security back then."

A clearer view without the boarding ramp. (SD)

. . . to find Alex and Anna walking along the quayside. Chris Cooper locates this as alongside the Lymington River in Lymington.

This is facing east, towards the mouth of the river. (SD)

Feeling a chill, Anna moves into the buffet after Alec catches his train. The buffet at Brockenhurst station . . . .

. . . which is now a waiting room. (PW)

Getting off her train as it departs, Anna leaves the station. Winchester station at the corner of Station Road and Station Hill in Winchester, Hampshire.

After making a phone call to her home help Elsa, Anna makes her way to meet with Alec. The pillar and call boxes at Winchester station have since been repositioned.

Keith Lanham discovered that all means of postal and telephonic communication have been removed.

Looking across the River Itchen towards Wolvesey Terrace from The Weirs in Winchester.

The scene now taken by Keith Lanham.

Anna's walk continues across the city. The Weirs alongside the River Itchen with Wolvesey Terrace to the top left.

The right background building confirms Keith Lanham's position.

The sluice upstream of Mill Wharf's mill race on the River Itchen.

A wider view of the sluice from Keith Lanham.

Anna nears the converted mill where Alec Harvey is waiting in a borrowed flat. Wharf Mill, Wharf Hill in Winchester, which is also seen in 'Stranger in the House'.

Paul Riddell is a fortunate party to owning the apartment that Richard Burton and Sophia Loren use in the film and has kindly sent us this comparative view as well as some excellent shots of the interior as it is now. These can be viewed as Captures 43 to 45. (RL)

When his Alec's friend Stephen returns home, Anna leaves the flat alone. The Butter Cross on High Street in Winchester, Hampshire.

One is left to wonder just how many trading changes there have been in those premises during the past 50+ years. (RL)

Anna heads back to the station. To the left, the Spinning Wheel stood at 42 High Street and this is the passage leading from The Square and Great Minster Street.

A little busier when Keith Lanham visited.

A group of boisterous Lads whistle as Anna passes. The Pentice, a row of mainly 16th century buildings on High Street.

Keith Lanham found someone else taking photos.

Facing west on The Pentice on High Street, Winchester.

The location now by Keith Lanham.

With the affair over, Anna stands on the platform at Winchester station. Facing north-east on platform 2 at Brockenhurst station off Lymington Road, Brockenhurst in Hampshire.

A new station footbridge now passes overhead. (PW)

Whilst we do not usually include interior scenes as they can so easily be replicated in the studio, Paul Riddell has confirmed that his apartment was actually used in the film and has sent us these interior captures together with comparative shots. Alec Harvey (Richard Burton) in the lounge of Wharf Mill. (RL)

The same lounge some 50 years on. (RL)

Anna Jesson (Sophia Loren) and Alec embrace in the hallway. (RL)

A shot from Paul without anyone stealing the scene. (RL)

Anna entering the hallway. (RL)

And a comparative view from Paul. (RL)