Cloud Atlas

Pacific Islands, 1849: Jim Sturgess (Mr Ewing) walks across the beach at Sa Calobra, Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands near Spain, to meet a Dr. Henry Goose (Tom Hanks).

Such are the skills of Lionel and Cynthia Sear that they took this shot in 2012, four years before the film appeared on our Website! (RL)

Mr Ewing is seen with the mouth of a gorge made by the Torrent de Pareis (twin streams) behind him as he walks across the beach. It is also known as the Sa Calobra Canyon. Like the previous shot, it is in Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands near Spain.

Just to prove their skills further Lionel and Cynthia have provided this additional shot taken in 2012, from the same spot. Amazing telepathy eh? (RL)

San Francisco, 1973: Luisa Rey (Halle Berry) drives across the Swannekkee Bridge. Actually it's Clackmannanshire Bridge that passes over the River Forth near Kincardine in Scotland. There are some cgi changes made to the surrounding scenery.

Andy McArthur mentions that without access to a high sided vehicle it’s not easy to emulate the screen capture. Also without the CGI changes the Kincardine Bridge is visible through the safety fence and that the original screen capture displays lighting columns which are not part of the bridge construction. He also notes that the approach roads were digitally removed for the film. The Kincardine Bridge is a swing bridge which operated from 1936 till 1987 and was category A Listed in 2005. In its working life it was the closest diversion when the Forth Road Bridge was temporarily closed due to high winds.

Cambridge/Edinburgh, 1936: Ben Wishaw (Robert Frobisher) runs across a courtyard in an apparent Cambridge location. But it's actually in Edinburgh at the City Chambers, 253 High St, EH1.

City Chambers indeed say Lionel and Cynthia Sear. (RL)

Musician Vyvyan Ayrs (Jim Broadbent) sits in his garden. The house is actually in Scotland and is called Overtoun House in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire G82.

Website visitor Andy McArthur provides an excellent updated location shot and also adds that Overtoun House is an A listed building which was built for Glasgow industrialist James White in the 19th century. The house was donated to the people of Dumbarton in 1938. Subsequent use was a convalescent home for World War II wounded veterans. When the NHS was formed in 1947 the house became a maternity unit and hospital till 1970. As part of a UK government experiment of 1975 it was used as a base for the Quality of Life Experiment. The Spire Fellowship took over from 1978 till 1980. Then Youth with a Mission from 1991 to 1994. The current use as at 2021 is the Centre fort Hope and Healing. Forestry and Land Scotland manage the walking areas around Overtoun House.

The young Rufus Sixsmith (James D'Arcy) sits reading Mr Frobisher's letter on a bench in Cambridge. But in fact this location is actually in the grounds of the University of Glasgow, Scotland G12.

With thanks to a member of staff, Lionel and Cynthia captured the correct quadrangle. (RL) Additional info from Andy McArthur points out that Glasgow University is the fourth-oldest university in the English speaking world. Originally located in the High St in Glasgow. From 1870 the main buildings are located at Gilmore Hill G12. Housed in the University is the Huntarian Museum. Notably two experiments on display are by Lord Thomson of Kelvin. One is pitch with bullets placed on top and the corks below. The bullets are sinking and the corks are floating. The other is a pitch flow experiment with pitch on a mahogany ramp very slowly moving downwards.

Mr Frobisher steals a bike and peddles through Victoria Terrace in Edinburgh. It's just above Victoria Street EH1.

This time with thanks to a van driver, Lionel and Cynthia captured this walkway that runs above Victoria Street, being one of the original routes into Edinburgh predating Victoria Street. This spot is close to where Victoria Street meets George lV Bridge. (RL)

He arrives at Vyvyan Ayrs house, the aforementioned Overtoun House in Dumbarton G82.

Andy McArthur provides another great updated image and also mentions that, as in Capture 5, the rhododendron bushes have grown and obscure the view of Overtoun House. The garden area is padlocked with notices advising the gardens are for residents use only. The ground below the house at the bottom of the stone stairs, has the layout of a flat area that may have been a tennis court or a recreational area but is now overgrown with grass.

An elderly Rufus Sixsmith stands with Luisa Rey and hails a cab in San Fransico in 1973. This shot was actually done in the German city of Düsseldorf outside the Dreischeibenhaus, a 95-metre office building in August-Thyssen-Straße in the Hofgarten district. Extensive computer effects, particularly on the right of the frame transformed the image into a retro San Francisco.

Marc Goris provides this comparative shot of what was a very short sequence in the film and whilst surprised how little the area has changed over the years he was surprised at how much they were able to change the area with CGI. (RL)

And again this is a tighter shot posing as a building in 1970s San Francisco but it is really the Dreischeibenhaus building in the German city of Düsseldorf in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Marc records just a few subtle changes. (RL)

London, 2012: Book critic Felix Finch (Alistair Petrie) gets removed from the party via a high balcony and makes a mess of himself. Movie magic meant that although supposedly in London, this shot was actually done in Saint Vincent Lane, Glasgow G2.

Andy McArthur takes this image to give wider view from opposite side of Wellington St at St Vincent Lane. The Lane, Place and Street are named after Admirable Nelson’s victory in 1797 at Cape St Vincent, Algarve, Portugal. In the now pic the light coloured building to the right of St Vincent lane is a former Royal Bank of Scotland Principal Branch. The red sand stone to the left was originally the Commercial Union company.

Publisher Timothy Cavendish (Jim Broadbent) comes out of an expensive mens wear shop in present day London. In fact he is on Glasgow's St Vincent Place and then turns down into Anchor Lane, G1.

Andy McArthur contributes this shot and points out that The Anchor Line (Henderson Brothers) offices newly built in 1899. Nowadays it is eatery and rented offices. Next door to the Anchor Line are the former offices of the Evening Citizen Newspaper, Glasgow first of three evening papers. Eventually absorbed into George Outram Group within into the Glasgow Evening Times Note the angled two faced clock on the third floor. The former headquarters of the Clydesdale Bank is next, now rebranded as Virgin Money.

Timonthy Cavendish is in a bit of money trouble and so goes to see his brother Denholme Cavendish (Hugh Grant). After a long time of us being unable to solve this location, website visitor Steve correctly identified the building as Landhaus Frank, which was designed and built in 1930 by Ernst Freud, son of Sigmund Freud. It is located to the south west of Berlin at Auf dem Franzensberg 1, Geltow, 14548 Schwielowsee in Brandenburg, Germany.

Big Isle (Hawaii), 106 winters after the Fall (2321): Zachry (Tom Hanks) leads Meronym (Halle Berry) walk across a former bridge of the Gottleuba Valley Railway at Langenhennersdorf (Saxony). Since 1977 the narrow gauge track between Pirna and Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel has been abandoned and demolished. Located by Manuel Gurtner.

Due to sensing oncoming danger, they duck down out of sight next to the older bridge, built of sandstone and damaged by flooding. The new bridge behind is a steel construction from 1928 advises Manuel..

Timothy Cavendish ponders the present whilst on the train. The beautiful countryside is seen twice in the film; once with a steam train and this time with a Scotrail diesel. The railway line is the Fort William to Mallaig line in the Scottish highlands. The two shots were done just over a mile west of Glenfinnan. This location is a couple of miles away from the iconic curve of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, immortalised by the Harry Potter films as part of the route to Hogwarts.

....and whilst stopped at Bo'ness railway station, he ponders the past. Bo'ness station is a tourist railway station in Bo'ness, Falkirk, Scotland (some internet sites incorrectly state 'Birkhill Station' for this filming location).

Mr Cavendish (Jim Broadbent) heads along a street in search of old memories. Jules Ballantyne went in search of the property and location and with her usual modesty came up with "Glen Ard" on the corner of Beech Avenue and Rowan Road, Dumbreck G41 5BX (RL)

Andy McArthur has contributed a good 'now' shot and also says that “Glen Ard” is located within the Pollokshields area of Glasgow. A conservation area with large Victorian and Edwardian Sand Stone villas and tenement flats. The growth of the population was such that area was awarded Burgh status. As the City of Glasgow grew in size the area was absorbed in the governance of the City Council. Many houses on junctions have a driveway right on the corner, looks nice but with traffic nowadays can be a tricky exit or entry.

And then Timothy Cavendish takes a taxi ride to Aurora House or is that Hotel? (It is actually Overtoun House again in Dumbarton G82).

Cloud Atlas location guru Andy McArthur has also managed to image this great comparison image and proves that there are no gates here now. In fact he suspects the gates in the film capture were probably a mock up for the movie, especially as the ground area at this location appears undisturbed and mature. Large country houses traditionally have gates with a lodge house at road entries. The Overtoun East Lodge and gates at Milton Brae and Dumbarton Rd, Milton G82 2TX are gone. The Overtoun West Lodge and gates remain at Stirling Rd, Dumbarton G82 3PS. The East Lodge entry to the estate was the primary route serving the estate until it was decided to use the West Lodge entry. Reason being was the East entry of Milton Brae hill was deemed to steep for horse drawn carriages. He also mentions that owners in the past, the White family, caused environmental and personal health damage due to their irresponsible disposal of toxic waste from their chromium works.

Due to a firearm incident, Ben Wishaw (Robert Frobisher) is now a wanted man in Edinburgh. Here he attempts to avoid the police in Calton Road at St Ninian's Row, Edinburgh, EH1. This location is the same slope where Ewan McGregor gets bumped by a car whilst running from the police at the beginning of Trainspotting.

St Ninian's Row captured by Lionel and Cynthia Sear. (RL)

Joe Napier (Keith David) telephones an irritated Lloyd Hooks (Hugh Grant). But again in real life it is not 1970s San Francisco but George Street, Glasgow G1 1YU.

Cloud Atlas maestro Andy McArthur has contributed this shot and notes that behind the blue US Mail boxes in the film capture was a pub initially named Busby & Co after the BT advertisement character. Then Bourbon St, an American name. Lastly it was Campus East, now closed. Buzby for those with long memories was the Post Office Telecommunications 1976 campaign figure. First in yellow then in orange colour. The Glasgow Telephone Area head office was located at 40 George St G1 just along the road.

Luisa Rey (Halle Berry) emerges from her apartment block onto a busy San Francisco street. Except that this is actually looking over at the crossroads of George Street and Montrose Street in Glasgow, G1.

A fantastic shot recration from Andy McArthur, looking out of the door way of what is now a Premier Inn hotel. The red sand stone building across the junction is the Royal College Building Glasgow G1. It is the oldest building of John Anderson Campus of University of Strathclyde. The Premier Inn previously housed the offices of The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). Usually abbreviated to Procurator Fiscal or PF. The Procurator Fiscal is Scotland's version of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Halle Berry steps out onto the curbside in the Glasgow version of San Francisco. The building she stepped out of is currently part of the Premier Inn hotel chain, located on the corner of George Street and Montrose Street.

Andy McArthur points out that there is not much change in this picture. The orange building above and behind the car park is Livingstone Tower on Richmond St. One of the many buildings occupied by Strathclyde University John Anderson Campus. The building originally named Alec House was renamed remembering former student Dr David Livingstone, missionary and explorer. The students however refer to the building as Livvy Tower. Same cgi overhead power lines as in Capture 26.

Luisa has every reason to feel nervous. Despite the San Francisco setting, you can see Glasgow's Montrose Street behind her.

Again Andy McArthur shows that there has been little change. The scaffolding is gone from the refurbishment of an older building.

Joe guides Luisa from his car. But in a cinematic switch, we have now moved about 12 blocks (just under a mile) away and find the car parked down Saint Vincent Lane, Glasgow G2.

Andy McArthur mentions that the lanes in Glasgow city centre are where the bins and waste are kept prior to collection. No changes here. The building in the distance is the east side of 301 St Vincent St on Pitt Street, G2.

Bill Smoke (Hugo Weaving) continues to pursue Luisa from his vehicle, following her from St Vincent Street and turning down into Douglas Street. The grey building on the left is a computer replacement for the Glaswegian building that spoilt the San Francisco look.

Andy McArthur mentions that the filmmakers also added over-head power wires into their shot. The trams in Glasgow stopped running in 1962. The last Trolley Buses ran in Glasgow in May 1967. The steep streets in Glasgow are created from Drumlins, hard rock left after glacial drift during the ice age. It is much warmer now.

Joe slams his car into Smokes' vehicle to try and take him out. This all happens on Douglas street in Glasgow.

Andy McArthur quite rightly points out that this location shot is pretty much exactly the same as when the film was made.

Joe is on the hunt for Bill, with Luisa being cautious to the right of frame. Douglas street in Glasgow is the road leading into the distance.

Andy McArthur points out once again that not a lot has changed apart from a couple of modern glass fronted buildings on the right.

Meanwhile the staff and relatives hunt the breakaway crew from the Aurora House. They pull up outside of a pub. This is The Drovers Inn located at Inverarnan, North Loch Lomond, G83.

Andy McArthur scores another good location shot and also adds the detail that The Drovers Inn, as the name implies, is on a Cattle Droving route. It is one of the oldest Licensed Premises in Scotland opening in 1705. Located near to the West Highland Way walking route, a very popular stop for tourists. Notable clients in olden times were Rob Roy McGregor legendary Scottish outlaw who became a folk hero. Also Dr Samuel Johnson and his biographer James Boswell. Dr Johnson’s review of this part of the country included the description “uncultivated ruggedness”. Caution, when entering the Drovers Inn you’ll meet in the reception area a stuffed bear standing upright.

Joe and Luisa are still having problems with Bill Smoke chasing them in a hijacked car, but suddenly the action has jumped several streets away as they are now heading along Wellington Lane, Glasgow G2.

Andy McArthur notes that there are no changes here. The name of Wellington is to remember Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke of Wellington. Not just in a lane also at Wellington St. There is a statue of the Duke of Wellington on his horse named Copenhagen in Queen St Glasgow. The statue has regularly a modern large size traffic cone placed on Wellington’s head. If removed by the Glasgow City Council it is replaced as soon as possible by unidentified persons. Now it is an icon of Glasgow’s cultural history.

The young Rufus Sixsmith nears his quest to rejoin Robert Frobisher as he stands in Edinburgh's South St David Street, looking at the Scott Monument. The shot also involves some CGI elements to eliminate modern detail.

A favourite spot for Lionel and Cynthia because just behind and to the right is Rose Street where one can find "The Abbotsford", an architectural gem of a pub. You might find them there too! (RL)