Dark City

In a gloomy hotel room John Murdoch wakes up in a cold bath . . . disoriented, he looks into a mirror at a face he doesn't recognise. Much of the production was shot on stages at Fox Studios Australia, now Disney Studios Australia, which stand on the former Sydney Showground site at Moore Park.

With no memory of who he is or how he came to be in the hotel, Murdoch dresses in clothes that he finds before discovering a postcard of Shell Beach in a suitcase bearing the initials K.H.

From a call box on a street in the perpetually 'Dark City', Dr. Daniel P. Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland) telephones Murdoch, urging him to flee from the hotel as People are coming for him. Hickson Road at Millers Point in Sydney, New South Wales identified by Brett Miller.

With this daylight view, Brett proves the location which is just south-west of the junction with Pottinger Street.

After finding the mutilated body of a Woman in the hotel room, John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) makes his way from the building as the Strangers arrive.

As he wakes through the dark streets, Murdoch struggles to recall his first name.

While Inspector Bumstead begins his investigation into the hotel murder case, Murdoch leaves the home of May, a prostitute who saved him from Police questions at an automat.

Inspector Frank Bumstead (William Hurt) drives Emma Murdoch (Jennifer Connelly) home from the police station.

After speaking with his Wife in their home, Murdoch takes a cab to Dr. Schreber's house.

Standing in the shadows, the fugitive overhears Inspector Bumstead tell the Doctor that Murdoch doesn't strike him as a murderer.

Forced into the open, Mr. Hand (Richard O'Brien) finds Dr. Schreber at an indoor swimming pool and confronts him about the mistakes made with Murdoch.

As the hands on the Stranger's underworld clock reach midnight, everyone falls asleep and traffic comes to a standstill. Ron Glenister identifies Hickson Road . . .

. . . and provides this reversed shot as evidence. (RL)

While the Strangers carry out their tasks rearranging the landscape and altering People's minds, Murdoch remains awake. It is suggested elsewhere that the whole film was shot on studio sets, however, this is on the Barangaroo / Millers Point boundary in Sydney, New South Wales where the bridges carry Munn Street and Argyle Place / Dalgety Road over Hickson Road.

Clearly, extensive roadworks are in hand in Ron Glenister's view. (RL)

Murdoch watches as Strangers place People into position at a barber shop.

Following the Strangers' nights work, traffic begins to move as the Population regains consciousness after some are imprinted with new personalities by Dr. Schreber.

Murdoch looks about as the city returns to life. Hickson Road on the on the Barangaroo / Millers Point border located by Ron Glenister and confirmed by Brett Miller.

Hickson Road, the right way around, taken by Ron. (RL)

Reading the back of the postcard, Murdoch goes in search of Karl Harris. Brett Miller recognised the south pylon of Sydney Harbour Bridge on Hickson Road, Dawes Point.

Brett's shot is of the identical north pylon on Olympic Way, Bradfield Park as the south pylon been covered with construction hoarding since 2018.

After consulting a telephone directory, Murdoch asks for directions to Avenue C from a News Vendor (Ritchie Singer). Cumberland Street, The Rocks identified by Brett Miller.

Brett returned to the location 28 years later.

Recognising the News Vendor as the manager of the hotel where he woke up, Murdoch makes his way to the subway.

Travelling on the network's Blue Line, Murdoch consults a highly complicated map of the rail system. Museum station at Hyde Park, Sydney.

Ron advises that all the metal structures have been removed and were probably temporary whilst work was undertaken. (RL)

Alighting from the Blue Line train, Murdoch descends onto the Green Line platform. Museum station on Sydney's City Circle Line.

Ron provides a similar shot of the platform entrance. (RL)

Changing trains at 9th Street, Murdoch watches as the 'express' train to Shell Beach passes. Museum station, the entrance of which is at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Liverpool Street in Sydney. 'The Matrix' also used the station for some scenes.

A "swan song" contribution from Ron Glenister who, with his brother Ray, has provided us with so much valuable support. Thanks for everything Ron. (RL)

Imprinted with Murdoch's memories by Dr. Schreber, Mr. Hand follows his instinct to where Emma is sitting alone on a quayside.

When the Inspector and Emma converge at the home of the May after she's found murdered, they lead her Daughter towards a police car waiting outside the automat.

After finding his Uncle Karl and realising that his memories of Shell Beach are all fake, Murdoch is rescued from the Strangers by Inspector Bumstead and Emma. Brett Miller advises that this is Hickson Road, Millers Point.

And this is Brett's comparison.

Dr. Schreber is taken to Shell Beach by Inspector Bumstead and Murdoch after being questioned. Hickson Road, Millers Point located by Brett Miller.

Hickson Road now by Brett.

Discovering that a remembered bridge has disappeared, Murdoch, Inspector Bumstead and Dr. Schreber pass along a waterway through a part of the city filled with malformed buildings and half completed walls.

Breaking through the wall on which a poster of Shell Beach is pasted, Murdoch and the Inspector look out onto stars in the infinite vastness of space.

When Murdoch is captured by the Strangers, Dr. Schreber implants memories in which he is taught about the Strangers and how to "tune" giving him the power to defeat them.

Now imprinted with the memories of Anna, the former Emma Murdoch leaves work at the cinema.

Having destroyed the Strangers and turning the city to face its sun, on a pier near Shell Beach Murdoch walks towards Anna.