Darkest Hour

A Messenger hands a telegram to Elizabeth Layton (Lily James) as she leaves the home of Winston Churchill after being fired for not typing accurately. Chartwell House near Westerham in Kent.

Not quite the right angle but a day out with the family diverts the mind somewhat. (RL)

Following the resignation of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, Churchill looks through the windows of his car as he’s driven to Buckingham Palace. Looking into King William Court at the former Royal Naval College in Greenwich SE10.

The added sandbags confuse the comparison somewhat but this looks west into King William Court. SJ

The First Lord of the Admiralty comments “Hardly seems like there's a war on at all”. Looking into King William Court at the former Royal Naval College.

Tricky to replicate the angle, but there are the windows. SJ

In the front seat of the car, John Evans (Joe Armstrong) turns when Churchill mentions that he’s never ridden a bus. Facing south on the lawns between King William Court and Queen Mary Court at the Royal Naval College.

This replaces my shot from June 2021 facing north. This one is facing south. SJ

Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) enters Buckingham Palace where King George VI asks him to take up the position of Prime Minister and to form a government. Wentworth Woodhouse, Wentworth to the north of Rotherham in South Yorkshire. Interiors for ‘Mr. Turner’ were shot at the stately home.

Well-wishers join the members of the press at the front door of number 10 Downing Street as Churchill arrives. Downing Street in London SW1 with post-production alterations. The street also features in ‘Dunkirk’, 'The Lady with a Lamp', ‘Operation Crossbow’, ‘The Jokers’ and ‘Seven Days to Noon’.

Slightly off-angle. A shot from the archives taken by Glenn, who tried to cover a lot of Downing Street in a special visit in 2018. (SJ)

Photographers take pictures and Reporters ask questions. Downing Street with the North Block of the Home Office forming the background.

Another one from Glenn. (SJ)

Having listened to Churchill’s first speech as Prime Minister, Viscount Halifax (Stephen Dillane) approaches Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup). Supposedly Abingdon Street Gardens, also known as College Green in Westminster SW1.

A composite shot? I couldn't find the gardens but managed the Victoria Tower angle, though even that looks interfered with. SJ

Abingdon Street Gardens was a composite shot. This is Lady Churchill's Rose Garden at Chartwell House in Kent. The Victoria Tower was added in post production. (SD)

Lady Churchill's Rose Garden at its peak. Chartwell House can be seen top right. (SD)

Now Secretary to the Prime Minister, Elizabeth Layton arrives to begin work in the Cabinet War Rooms. King Charles Street, London SW1.

Also seen in Made in Dagenham. SJ

Elizabeth looks around her new workplace. Inside the the central courtyard of the Government Offices on Great George Street.

Meeting with Reynaud and Daladier, Winston Churchill learns of the situation in France where the 9th Army has capitulated. Several sources suggest Bicester Aerodrome at Launton near Bicester in Oxfordshire and Richard Winchester adds that Bicester Heritage is a hub for historic motoring and aviation which was also used as Bletchley Park in 'The Imitation Game'.

Richard was there recently when the hangar was being used for a classic car auction.

After she asks how many men will survive at the garrison in Calais, Churchill leads Elizabeth to the map room in the Operations Headquarters. This looks like a very real unlined Underground station passageway.

Churchill makes his way to the Cabinet War Rooms. The central courtyard of the Government Offices on Great George Street in SW1.

On a grey, rainy day Winston Churchill is driven to Parliament. College Way in the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. The location, and other parts of the college, appear in ‘The Wings of the Dove’, ‘Four in the Morning’, ‘Octopussy’, ‘Murder by Decree’, ‘The Madness of King George’ and ‘The Duchess’ among others.

Bit tricky at first as I was looking for a downpipe, seen on the left of the original but was able to match the stains on the wall. The north side of Queen Mary's Court. SJ

The Chauffeur looks around after the Prime Minister gets out of the car while stopped at a red traffic signal. Facing the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul on College Way in Greenwich SE10.

At day with neither traffic nor crowds. SJ

Getting out of the lift at St. James’s Park underground station, Churchill heads for the platform. Gary Oldman has been here before in ‘Prick Up Your Ears’ as this is the passageway from the lift lobby to the platform at Aldwych station on Strand WC2 which opened in 1907.

A shot of the same passage, from memory, from Jonathan G. (RL)

Churchill descends further to catch a train to Westminster. The stairs lead down to the platform that saw Piccadilly Line services to Holborn until closure in 1994.

Paul Lincoln acknowledges that this is a RPV but one is limited on what one can achieve during a guided tour. (RL)

Waiting Passengers are startled to see the Prime Minister on the platform. Platform 1 at Aldwych station, which also features in numerous productions including ‘Gideon’s day’, ‘The Bed Sitting Room’, ‘Death Line’, ‘Tube Tales’, ‘Creep’ and ‘The Black Windmill’.

Changes are forever being made to the platform dependent on the last film requirement so this shot from Paul will have to suffice. (RL)

After gauging the feeling of the public whilst travelling on the District Line, Churchill makes his way to the Houses of Parliament. Westminster Hall in The Palace of Westminster, London SW1.

Looking south. SJ

Churchill extends an invitation to all MPs to attend as he addresses his outer cabinet. Inside the Town Hall on Albert Square, Manchester 2.

In the back of his Humber Pullman, Churchill dictates the speech that he will deliver to Parliament. Manchester Town Hall on Albert Square in Manchester.