Copter Kids, The (Children’s Film Foundation)

Date: 1976
Director: Ronald Spencer
Production Company: Pacesetter Productions Ltd., Children's Film Foundation (CFF)

Stars: Sophie Neville, Sophie Ward, Jonathan Scott-Taylor, Derek Fowlds, Edward Burnham, Michael Balfour
Location(s): Buckinghamshire

Region(s):

Storyline:

Tensions rise between villagers and a group of airborne oil prospectors before the helicopter pilots help to track down cattle rustlers.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

Sophie Neville’s website mentions her appearance in this production and can be found here.

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

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
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As he and his Colleagues prospect for oil using sonar equipment attached to their helicopters, Captain Peters looks down onto a motorway junction. Handy Cross roundabout, Junction 4 of the M40 at High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

  • Capture 2
  • 22 Jan 2023

The sound of the rotors drown out lessons at the village school. Horn Hill Village Hall at the corner of Rickmansworth Lane and Roberts Lane in Chalfont St. Peter, Buckinghamshire.

Antony Blair revisited the scene 47 years on.

  • Capture 3
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When cattle disturbed by the noise of the helicopters begin to stampede towards the village, the Pupils leave class and set off in pursuit. The yard at Horn Hill Village Hall.

  • Capture 4
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Shunned by the village Children, Liz (Sophie Neville), Jill (Sophie Ward) and Bill Peters (Jonathan Scott-Taylor) run from the school to follow. Horn Hill Village Hall in Chalfont St. Peter.

  • Capture 5
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The cattle tip over market stalls as they charge through the village. The Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy on Chesham Lane in Chalfont St. Peter, Buckinghamshire.

  • Capture 6
  • 22 Jan 2023

An Ice Cream Seller looks up to see the cows approach his stall. In the background stands Greene House at the Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy in Chalfont St. Peter.

A large tree fills much of Antony Blair's shot.

  • Capture 7
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Chasing his cattle, Mr. Owen (Edward Burnham) demands that Captain Peters (Derek Fowlds) moves his car as he drives through the wrecked market. The Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy on Chesham Lane, Chalfont St. Peter in Buckinghamshire.

  • Capture 8
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On the other side of the market, Benny Baker (Michael Balfour) has an idea whilst watching the stampede with his sons Jack (Marc Boyle) and Nick (Vic Armstrong). Sophie Neville explains that Vic Armstrong was a stunt man who went on to become Harrison Ford's double.

  • Capture 9
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The Children continue to chase after the cows as they head towards the nearby motorway. The Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy at Chalfont St. Peter.

  • Capture 10
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Just in time, the cattle are stopped. Looking south along the road from Gerrards Cross Golf Club in Chalfont Park towards the A413 Amersham Road in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.

  • Capture 11
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The cows are herded back though the village. The Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy on Chesham Lane, Chalfont St. Peter.

  • Capture 12
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A Policeman breaks up the argument between Mr. Owen and Captain Peters. The Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy in Buckinghamshire.

  • Capture 13
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In their garden, Mrs. Peters (Daphne Neville) prunes a bush while Captain Peters watches his children enjoy archery practice.

  • Capture 14
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The next day, Mr. Owen leaves the house to start work. The house, Geoff Dodd tells us is Meadow Cottage off the A413 at Chalfont St Peter, also seen in The Persuaders! episode 'A Home Of One’s Own'. The property has now been demolished. (RL)

  • Capture 15
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Driving up with his children Barbara (Kim Clifford) and Bob (Robert Twitcher), Farmer Evans (Peter Davidson) tells Mr. Owen, Gwen (Kate Dorning) and David (Paul Chambers) that he's found tracks in one of the fields and that the cattle are being stolen. As in the previous capture Meadow Cottage off the A413 at Chalfont St Peter, as identified by Geoff. (RL)

  • Capture 16
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Following a phone call to the police, the two farmers drive over to Captain Peters to ask if he can help to spot the rustlers as he flies over their fields.

  • Capture 17
  • 22 Jan 2023

After Captain Peters refuses to help, the children are dropped off at school. Rickmansworth Lane, Chalfont St. Peter with St. Paul's church visible in the left background.

It was a sunnier day when Antony Blair arrived.

  • Capture 18
  • 22 Jan 2023

In the playground, Pupils look towards the sky as the noisy aircraft fly over. Horns Hill Village Hall on Rickmansworth Lane.

It's a shame about the broken window in Antony Blair's comparison.

  • Capture 19
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The school bell rings as Captain Peters' children are taunted when they arrive for lessons. The belfry of Horns Hill Village Hall.

  • Capture 20
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Having spotted a cattle pound in Bramble Hollow, Captain Peters drives Mr. Owen to Farmer Evans.

  • Capture 21
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Mr. Owen tells Mr. Evans about the pound before Captain Peters returns to the prospecting base.

  • Capture 22
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Alerted by a signal from the Children, two Policemen get into their panda car and head for the woods where the rustlers have been seen.

  • Capture 23
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Later that day, after Mr. Owen is mistaken for a cattle rustler, Jill leads her pony Star to the stables and beds him down.

  • Capture 24
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The next morning, Jill discovers that Star had broken out of the stable.

  • Capture 25
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At the base, Captain Peters prepares for another flight, this time taking Liz along with him.

  • Capture 26
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When the rustlers are spotted, Liz Peters fires an arrow towards school from her father's helicopter as a signal. Looking down on Horns Hill Village Hall in Chalfont St. Peter.

  • Capture 27
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Followed by their teacher Mr. Davidson (John Glyn-Jones), the Pupils set off on their bikes. Horns Hill Village Hall at the corner of Rickmansworth Lane and Roberts Lane in Chalfont St. Peter, Buckinghamshire.

  • Capture 28
  • 05 Jan 2024

A short post-script featuring behind the scenes pictures supplied by Sophie Neville. Jonathon Scott-Taylor, Sophie Neville, Daphne Neville and Sophie Ward in 'The Copter Kids'.

The "Copter" approaches.

  • Capture 29
  • 05 Jan 2024

Daphne Neville and Michael Balfour.

Jonathon Scott-Taylor, Sophie Neville, Sophie Ward, Vic Armstrong and Michael Balfour.