Hidden City

Views of the Thames fill the opening title sequence.

Passing London Underground's Greenwich Power Station on Old Woolwich Road SE10.

The titles continue with more river scenes . . . . St. Saviours Dock, London SE1 also seen in 'I Was a Fireman' and 'Jubilee'. (RL)

Rather cluttered at the dock now. SJ

. . . before moving underground into a tunnel.

Emerging from the tunnel, the journey continues along a canal. Regent's Park Canal with the 'North Hall' apartment block, southern end, on Prince Albert Road, London NW8 visible top right hand. (RL)

Another tunnel.

The sequence ends on a peaceful stretch of water.

After an evening with friends, statistician and author James Richards (Charles Dance) walks with his ex-wife Barbara (Tusse Silberg). Camden Lock, London NW1.

Unable to find a taxi, Barbara suggests she stays the night. Jules Ballantyne found this to be Camden Lock with the couple standing on the Iron Footbridge. (RL)

Looking north-west from the Iron Bridge. SJ

Richards notices a female figure watching. As per the previous capture Richard would have noticed her whilst standing on the Iron Footbridge, Camden Lock, London NW1 says Jules. (RL)

I think we've swung around 180 degrees for this view. SJ

The following day, the academic heads through town.

Peter took this shot, looking down onto Farringdon Street from Holborn Viaduct in London EC1.

Richards continues across Holborn Viaduct, EC1.

The same place now by Peter.

More of Holborn Viaduct.

Another shot from Peter who adds that "The missing dragons or whatever are away for renovation".

Sharon Newton (Cassie Stuart) grabs Richards, needing his help. The doorway to Gresham House on Holborn Viaduct, London EC1. The bridge was also seen in 'Three and Out' and 'Hue and Cry'.

Peter provided this shot of the location.

The young woman takes a reluctant Richards to a cafe where it's revealed that she recently lost her job in a film library when the wrong tape was sent to him. The now demolished City of London School for Girls on Carmelite Street, EC4.

Peter took this shot of the new development.

Sharon takes Richards to her former employers where she shows him mysterious old footage.

Moving with the action, here's another comparison from Peter.

A film within a film. The old movies show people apparently being kidnapped on the streets of London. Surrey Row in London SE1.

A great comparison shot from Richard Lovejoy.

More frames show more people being forcibly taken away.

Sharon enlists the help of Richards to gain access to a missing secret film. The old Kingsway tram subway at the corner of Southampton Row and Theobalds Road WC1 identified by Richard Lambourne. The location also appears in 'The Avengers' and can be seen in the background during 'Girl with Green Eyes', 'Hue and Cry' whilst the inside of the tunnel features in 'The Escapist'. Visits to the tunnel are often arranged by London Transport Museum's 'Hidden London' and details can be found by following the link in the header section above.

Yes, well done Richard, taken from the busy intersection at Southampton Row and Theobalds Road. SJ

The two descend into an archive storage area. The former Kingsway tram tunnel subway looking up at the corner of Southampton Row and Theobalds Road.

As the search continues, the two leave another underground storage bunker when it's found that the film has been disposed of. The entrance buildings to Goodge Street Deep Level Shelter on Tottenham Court Road opposite Torrington Place WC1.

The same location now by Peter.

Richards finds that he's been issued with a parking ticket when they get back to his car. Alfred Place, London WC1.

The same location now. (PW)

A dustcart passes and gives Sharon the idea of following and searching landfill sites and incinerators.

Alfred Place again. (PW)

The pair visit a landfill site where Officials are also searching through the rubbish.

Following a fruitless search, Richards asks Sharon why she is searching for the film. Gunnersbury Park, Popes Lanes, Acton W3 identified by David Ashwood.

Antony Blair took this shot at the back of the building which is now in a terrible state of repair.

Sharon explains that she's curious and asks Richards what his work is. The rear of the 'Small Mansion' at Gunnersbury Park next to the A406 North Circular Road.

David Ashwood tells us "Gunnersbury Park on the Ealing / Hounslow borders. The left hand area, now boarded up, used to be an aviary. The front of the house was used in 'Carry on Constable'."

Richards describes his research into educational methods. Gunnersbury Park.

The back lawn looking at the back of the main house captured by Antony.

The pair carry on through Gunnersbury Park. Off Popes Lanes in Acton W3.

A similar view by Antony, without the tree.

The Round Pond in Gunnersbury Park, Acton.

Antony arrived to find Swan Lake!

Figures are seen watching from across the water. The Temple in Gunnersbury Park, London W3.

A long shot across the lake in which, by chance, a stranger posed in The Temple for Antony.

Whilst taking time out at home, Richards dreams about his past as a schoolboy. Dial House, Riverside in Twickenham.

Antony Blair replaces a previous Google image.

In flashback, two friends run towards an expensive car. Facing north-east on Riverside, Twickenham.

Another replacement for a Google shot provided by Antony.

The memory continues with a young Richards (James Trigg) approaching a garden. P. J. Brown recognised the gardens of York House in Twickenham.

The back terrace of York House by Antony.

Richards stops before entering the garden and Mr Jackson, his Schoolmaster approaches. The gardens of York House, a stately home currently serving as the Town Hall of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Location found by P. J. Brown.

Antony found the rear steps leading onto the sunken lawn.

The eccentric Schoolmaster (Richard Ireson) shouts that Richards is a "clever little shrimp" and has potential, but won't reveal his exam marks. The gardens of York House in Twickenham identified by P. J. Brown. York House and its grounds also appear in 'We Shall See', 'Downfall', 'Five to One' and 'Alfie'.

The rear garden with steps leading to the bridge in the distance captured by Antony Blair.

On another day, Sharon makes her way through the city. Facing north on Dorset Rise in London EC4.

A comparison shot from Peter.

The young woman quickens her pace, looking behind her. Dorset Rise EC4.

The same location now . . . before it disappears for a few years behind a hotel. Image copyright Google Streetview.

A glance up the street before crossing the road.

Dorset Rise opposite Hutton Street by Peter.

Sharon breaks into a run. Hutton Street EC4 facing Primrose Hill. The cream coloured building in the right background is The Harrow public house.

Peter grabbed this shot showing The Harrow Pub through the new development

On the same morning, after James bumps into his old Schoolmaster, the two walk together. Facing West Smithfield on Snow Hill, London EC1.

The same wall now by Peter.

The seemingly ageless Jackson asks for some change. Snow Hill in EC1.

A little further along Snow Hill. (PP)

Passing an entrance to the, now disused, Smithfield Market on Snow Hill EC1.

The same location now with shutter replaced by white boarding.

The two continue as Mr Jackson enquires about his former pupil's career. Cock Lane, London EC1.

Peter provides this 'now' image noting that the meshed area on the right is still the same as is Bart's Hospital in the background.

Sharon asks Richards to a surreal party after she finds the elusive film. Postman's Park looking towards number 3 Little Britain, London EC1 (The property to the right). (RL)

Paul Lincoln visited Postman's Park and without the surreal party was granted an uninterrupted view of the background properties. (RL)

Drinks flow as a film show plays. In the background can be seen some of the memorial to heroic self sacrifice in Postman's Park.

As the night wears on, Richards gets increasingly drunk. Postman's Park looking towards number 3 Little Britain, London EC1. (RL)

A further shot from Paul whilst in Postman's Park. (RL)

In a dream sequence, Richards declares his love for Sharon. York House Gardens on Sion Road, Twickenham with the statues sometimes known as "The Naked Ladies" as the background.

After waking up in Sharon's bed, Richards finds that she has a young daughter, Jodie, and is literally left holding the baby when she leaves the flat to look for work. Looking south down Albion Buildings, London EC1, No 1 on the corner followed by No 2 and then a ruin. All now completely absorbed by re-development. (RL)

Taken from Bartholomew Close looking south-east, this is today's Albion Way, which is probably the best one can do. The actual spot would be down here and inside the building out of view to the right with more of a south orientation. SJ

Richards takes the child with him as he sets off to find his ex-wife for a prearranged meeting. The car is moving off from outside 13 Bartholomew Close, London EC1 shortly to turn into the memorial square of Bartholomew Close. (RL)

Whilst sitting with Barbara and Jodie in the cafe visited earlier with Sharon, Richards notices two Masons entering the opposite building.

Richards carries Jodie through a construction site in the city. Unknown location.

The two are followed as they make their way to the car. This appears to be facing west on Carter Lane, London EC4 . . . . .

. . . . . and is confrmed by Peter. The grey building on the right is where the vacant site with scaffolding was in the screen shot and the road alignment has been changed.

Jodie (Laura Welch) begins to cry as Hillcombe (Alex Norton) and his associate Boyce (Michael Müller) catch up. Again, this appears to be Carter Lane.

Peter walked up and down Carter Lane and was almost certain you could not see St. Bride's steeple from Carter Lane in 1987. He was wrong. The buff coloured building on the right confirms the location, St.Bride's being hidden by new developement. Friar Street, the road junction in the screen shot has been pedestranised.

Richards' car is driven away after his keys are taken. Carter Lane in EC4 with the, now demolished, remains of Ludgate Hill station in the background.

The junction today. (SR)

Hillcombe presses Richards for information about the discovered films. It has taken nearly 10 years but our patience has finally been rewarded by Jules Ballantyne who has identified this as Church Entry, London EC4 off Carter Lane. (RL)

As seen from ground level. (SR)

Richards retaliates, hitting Hillcombe and pushing Boyce away. The action continues in Church Entry says Jules. (RL)

Today, complete with a blue snowman figure, in place for the festive season. (SR)

Boyce shouts after Richards as he walks away to head home with Jodie. A reverse POV of Church Entry, London EC4 identified by Jules, seen in the previous two captures. (RL)

The alley on a rainy day. (SR)

That evening, Hillcombe and Boyce are seen waiting outside Richards' house. Jules has found another! Richard looks down to see them having tea outside 17 and 18 St. Mark's Crescent, London NW1 opposite. (RL)

Richards takes Jodie and escapes from rear of his house by boat. Jules has also found Richard's escape route, here we see him approaching the camera as we look towards Oval Road and the Pirate Castle. (RL)

Looking west. SJ

Hillcombe and Boyce take a tea break before following. As per Capture 49 says Jules outside 17 and 18 St. Mark's Crescent, London NW1. (RL)

A wider shot to show both 17 & 18 St Mark's Crescent. SJ

Richards and Jodie arrive back at Sharon's flat to find that she still hasn't returned.

A figure is seen watching from the opposite building.

Richards carries Jodie into the city and attempts to hail a taxi. Pilgrim Street in EC4 with the illuminated spire of St. Bride's Church in the left background.

Peter sent in this shot adding that the only original bit left on Pilgrim Street is the building in the right foreground.

A truck spraying water appears to be following as the two continue their flight. Lothbury, a street which can also be seen in 'Pool of London', 'Flawless' and 'Inadmissible Evidence'.

Lothbury, London EC2 by Peter.

The truck turns the corner after Richards. Looking from Bartholomew Lane towards Lothbury in EC2. In the background stands number 41 which can be seen in 'Pool of London' and 'Stranger from Venus'.

Roadworks and a lone walker appear in this now image sent by Peter.

After the truck passes, the pair walk away. Facing south on Bartholomew Lane.

Peter took the same location now.

Hillcombe and Boyce follow in their car.

Bartholomew Lane, London EC2 by Peter. The post box on the corner of Lothbury and Bartholomew Lane has now gone.

Richards carries Jodie down steps after spotting the car. Jules identified the north side of St. Paul's Cathedral as viewed from the steps through Sheldon House that were presumably required in the rebuilding of the bomb site in order to preserve the thoroughfare of Canon Alley. A clear passageway has now been re-instated to and from Paternoster Square. (RL)

Paul Lincoln visited the new passageway enabling him to capture a larger portion of St. Paul's architecture. (RL)

More steps are negotiated as the night passes into early morning.

The steps running down from Saint Andrew-By-The-Wardrobe church onto Queen Victoria Street in London EC4 by Peter.

Richards continues through the quiet streets. Queen Victoria Street EC4.

The same location now from Peter.

The pursuing car catches up. Leadenhall Market off Gracechurch Street in EC3, which can be seen in 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus', 'Brannigan', 'Half Light', 'Hereafter', 'Pool of London' and 'Johnny English'.

Leadenhall Market by Peter.

Richards makes a run for it. Leadenhall Market.

A clearer shot of the same location now from Peter.

The two take cover as a motorcyclist approaches.

A Man (Stevan Rimkus) met earlier in one of the storage bunkers walks away after unexpectedly bumping into Richards and Jodie.

Before returning to Sharon's flat, Richards watches as the Man makes his way to Tottenham Court Road.

After the three are reunited and the mysterious film is watched, Sharon leads Richards back to the cafe where she first took him. Bride Lane, London EC4.

Peter captured the location but found that the railings may have been replaced!

The cafe was featured in the wartime footage. Heading into St. Bride's Passage from Bride Lane.

A good comparison shot from Peter.

Running through St. Bride's Passage towards Salisbury Square.

Another from Peter. The benches with resident have been added.

After confirming the location and exploring the building, Sharon and Richards make their conclusions as they walk away. Carmelite Street with the corner of Tudor Street to the left. London EC4.

Peter sent this image of the same spot now, with the white building in the background being the only original one still standing.

The two decide to keep the film to themselves for the moment.

Peter identified the location and took this image from No.1 Lincoln's Inn Fields (which is at the North-West corner of the Fields) in London WC2 adding that he couldn't get any higher for the shot.

Sharon suggests continuing their research together, looking for more mysteries to solve.

Another from Peter, this time shot of the corner seen in image hidci073 facing North. The green cabinets have been cleared of fly posters.

A final shot of the building that holds secrets from the past in the Hidden City. Carmelite Street, London EC4, which also makes an appearance in 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire'.

A last comparison shot of the replacement building by Peter.