High Rise Donkey (Children’s Film Foundation)

Date: 1980
Director: Michael Forlong
Production Company: Hugh Stewart Productions

Stars: Leigh Gotch, Wendy Cook, Linda Frith, Wilfrid Brambell, Pat Connell, Beryl Cooke, James Ellis, Harry Fowler, Sarah Golding, Ray Howe, Roy Kinnear, Declan Mulholland, Dorian Williams
Location(s): Berkshire, West Sussex

Region(s):

Storyline:

Three siblings look after a donkey to save it from being sold to a zoo as lion food by two small-time crooks.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson

This film is available as an extra on the BFI’s DVD release of EO

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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
  • 02 Jul 2026

Andrew (Leigh Gotch), Susan (Wendy Cook) and Tracy Everitt (Linda Frith) stop playing when they see their Uncle Ben walking through the estate where they live. Sawyer's Close in Windsor, Berkshire with the tower block named Winwood in the background.

The buildings in Sawyers Close are being torn down one by one and the residents rehoused. Winwood has already met its fate. (SR)

  • Capture 2
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Holding onto Barney's bridle, Ben Foxcroft (Wilfrid Brambell) brings his cart to a stand and looks down at the dog that’s followed his Nephew and Nieces. Sawyer's Close with Winwood to the right. The estate of four eight storey blocks was built in the 1960s.

  • Capture 3
  • 02 Jul 2026

After the Children explain that the dog isn't theirs, Ben says goodbye before leading Barney past the flats where pets are strictly not allowed. Sawyer's Close with Grasmere in the left background and Hale to the right.

Grasmere and Hale are still standing, but construction work prevented me getting the right angle. (SR)

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The three tell the stray dog that he can't stay with them while coaxing him to go home. The green space on Sawyer's Close with properties on Smith's Lane crossing the background.

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Taking the Collie home for a meal, the Siblings wonder how they will get him past the caretaker, Mr. Garnett. To the side of the sheds belonging to Hale with the block's garages in the left distance.

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Mr. Garnett (Roy Kinnear) sweeps the pathway outside the building where the Children live. The entrance to Hale on Sawyer's Close off Smith's Lane.

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While Andrew distracts Mr. Garnett, the girls run into the block with the dog. In front of Hale. Regeneration of the estate began in 2025.

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After a chase through the sheds, the Caretaker waits for Andrew to appear. The sheds opposite the entrance to Hale on Sawyer's Close in Windsor, Berkshire.

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Children play on the grass outside their high rise homes. Sawyer's Close at the corner of Maidenhead Road and Smith's Lane in Windsor.

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Carrying a shopping basket, Andrew appears on his skateboard. Looking north on Sawyer's Close with Winwood to the left and buildings on Maidenhead Road in the right distance.

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Mr. Garnett becomes suspicious as he picks up a tin of dog food dropped when Andrew collides with him. Outside Hale on Sawyer's Close.

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After Mr. Garnett discovers the dog in their flat, Andrew, Wendy and Tracy reluctantly take the dog to their Uncle.

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Ben explains that he can't afford to look after another animal as business is bad.

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Driving past the estate, Ron Brewer (Pat Connell) pulls over when he sees Andrew, Wendy and Tracy playing with his dog Sammy. Facing south on Smith's Lane in Windsor.

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After Uncle Ben is injured at his yard, Tracy explains to the local Greengrocer that she needs carrots and lots of cabbages as she and her brother and Sister are looking after Barney.

  • Capture 16
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Crooks Bernie (Harry Fowler) and Pat (Declan Mulholland) overhear that Tracy is taking care of the Junk Man's donkey whilst he's in hospital.

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While Bernie and Pat cook up a plan to steal Bernie and sell him to the zoo as food for the lions, Tracy arrives at Ben's yard with the vegetables for Barney.

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Having fought off Bernie and Pat during the day, the Children return to the scrap yard that night to move Barney to their flat.

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On their way home from visiting Ben in hospital, Andrew, Wendy and Tracy stop off to buy peppermints for Barney.

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As the Children near home, Tracy points up at their 7th floor flat. The Sawyer's Close estate in Windsor.

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Wendy holds her hand over Tracy's mouth when she sees Barney looking out of their kitchen window. Sawyer's Close with Winwood to the left and Dedworth Manor in the background.

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When neighbour Miss Pringle returns home unexpectedly and discovers the donkey in her flat, the Police are called to take him away. Hale on Sawyer's Close.

  • Capture 23
  • 02 Jul 2026

Just in time, Mr. Brewer returns and agrees to help before leading Barney into his horsebox. Sawyer's Close with Broad Ley's visible to the right.

Broad Leys still visible, but not for long. It's slated for demolition in the next three years. (SR)

  • Capture 24
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Telling Mr. Garnett and the Policemen that Barney is running in that afternoon's Donkey Derby, Mr. Brewer drives away with the Children sitting next to him in the lorry's cab.

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The horsebox passes a sign pointing the way to Court Farm Stables where Mr. Brewer is collecting a horse for an event.

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Having followed at a safe distance, Bernie and Pat watch as Barney is led out of the horsebox for a run.

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In the stable yard, show jumper Bright Star plays up before running off and finding Barney.

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At the Donkey Derby, Tracey sits astride Barney . . . who refuses to move when the race starts. Harefield Squash and Sports centre is mentioned in the end credits.

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A Photographer (Alfie Bass) peers over his camera as Barney appears behind the Children that his taking a picture of.

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Watched by Bernie and Pat, the donkeys pass the finishing post with Barney not even starting.

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Andrew, Wendy and Tracy watch Bright Star at the show jumping event. The All England Jumping Course on London Road at Hickstead to the north of Sayers Common in West Sussex.

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After a disappointing round, Ray Howe (Himself) and a fretful Bright Star leave the course. The All England Jumping Course opened in 1960.

  • Capture 33
  • 02 Jul 2026

The Kids start to make their way back to Hickstead after collecting Barney to calm Bright Star. Aston Mead in Windsor, Berkshire with houses on Burnetts Road to the right.

Some changes to the driveways here. (SR)

  • Capture 34
  • 02 Jul 2026

Wendy hails a taxi. Facing west on Aston Mead with Jacob Close on the left.

Some rebuilding evident at the corner. (SR)

  • Capture 35
  • 02 Jul 2026

When the Cabbie refuses to carry Barney, he's lead across the road to catch a bus. Looking towards Burnetts Road on Aston Mead, Windsor where the real bus stop is fixed to the lamp-post.

New construction looms over the junction. (SR)

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Barney is helped onto the platform before the Conductor throws them all off the bus. Aston Mead in Windsor with number 6 to the right.

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A kind Police Sergeant gives a lift to Andrew, Wendy, Tracy and Barney. The gate posts at the entrance to the All England Jumping Course on London Road, Hickstead. Posts of the same design still stand at the site of a now disused entrance.

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With Bright Star settled by seeing Barney, Mr. Howe rides him back onto the course. Hickstead All England Jumping Course north of Sayers Common in West Sussex.

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After Ben is discharged from hospital, Andrew, Wendy and Tracy are waiting when he arrives at Court Farm Stables to visit Barney.