Flood, The (Children’s Film Foundation)

Date: 1963
Director: Frederic Goode
Production Company: Children's Film Foundation (CFF), Associated British-Pathé

Stars: Waveney Lee, Ian Ellis, Christopher Ellis, Leslie hart, Frank Knight, Liz Gold, Jonathan Bergman, Edward Martin
Location(s): Cambridgeshire, Essex

Region(s):

Storyline:

Cut off during a severe flood, eight children manage to cope by themselves until rescue arrives.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

This film is viewable on BFI Player for free at The Flood

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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.

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News footage of East Anglian floods accompany the titles.

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With his family sitting around him at home, Alec Weathersfield listens to a radio news broadcast. "Reports are still coming in of serious floods in France and Italy. Bridges have been swept away and cattle drowned in the worst floods of the century."

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"In England, the flood peril is growing in the West Country and hundreds of families are homeless. The situation in East Anglia, however, has improved somewhat during the night."

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"Police and Army personnel, working by floodlight, have succeeded in closing the gap in the sea wall."

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Mr. Weathersfield listens to the closing words of the item "South of Wisbech, the main road is passable, though flooded in parts to a depth of 18 inches."

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Wanting confirmation of the state of the roads, Alec telephones Mr. Cainthwaite at the Emergency Clearance Centre in Wisbech. This scene appears to be more news footage.

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Troops bring emergency supplies through the flooded streets.

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Walking across the Fen with his sons Robin and Charles, Mr. Weathersfield sees that the water has gone down by several inches.

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In the farmyard, Reg (Frank Knight) and Ernie (Leslie Hart) help their father Mr. Brasted (Russell Waters) to load potatoes as Betty (Liz Gold) carries a jug of water for the truck's radiator.

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Alec Weathersfield (Richard Leech) watches the truck set off for Wisbech with Mr. Grout at the wheel along with his Wife and Mr. and Mrs. Brasted in the cramped cab.

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Charles (Ian Ellis) and Robin (Christopher Ellis) run to the house when they hear the Land Rover's horn sounding.

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Mrs. Weathersfield (Daphne Anderson) sits in the Land Rovers as Alec tells Clarissa (Waveney Lee), Charles and Robin that he has to take their pregnant mother to hospital in Ely.

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With Clarissa left in charge, the children watch the Land Rover drive away.

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Teenagers Bill and Fred Brasted ride their motorcycle towards the farm before crashing it into the barn.

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Following a night of heavy rain, Fred Brasted (Edward Martin) and his brother Bill (Jonathan Bergman) moan about the power being out and that they can't get to the cinema.

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Charles escapes from the barn after he and his siblings are locked inside by Bill and Fred,

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Discovering that his children are home alone following a cal from Mr. Cainthwaite, Mr. Weathersfield runs from the hospital in order to hire a motorboat. Facing the corner of Annesdale and Victoria Street in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

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The camera follows Alec as he heads towards the Cutter Inn. Ouse Terrace on Annesdale in Ely.

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Reaching the inn, Mr. Weathersfield is directed towards the river. The Cutter Inn on Annesdale in Ely.

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Still standing and open, the Cutter Inn stands on Annesdale next to the River Great Ouse as it flows through Ely.

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Alec finds a Boatman willing to take him across the flooded Fens. The Hythe, alongside the River Chelmer in Maldon, Essex.

Andrew Price explains that, in recent years, The Hythe has been extended outwards to protect buildings from the River Chelmer.

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Leaving Wisbech in a small motorboat, Mr. Grout and Mr. Brasted head for Willow Farm. Seen from South Brink, this is the River Nene in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire with Town Bridge crossing from Cornhill on the left to Bridge Street and Nene Quay to the right.

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As a helicopter is dispatched to help, Mr. Grout (Richard Beale) and Mr. Brasted reach a shore near the farm.

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Two Policemen run to their launch.

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The Officers cast off before setting out and catching up with Alec.

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Charles aims his shotgun towards the sky before firing it as a signal.

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Reaching Willow Farm, Alec runs towards the house with one of the Policemen.