Loophole

Mike Daniels (Albert Finney), Gardner (Colin Blakely) and Harry (Alfred Lynch) leave a factory's office block after breaking open the safe and stealing

Following the Morris van, gang leader Daniels cycles calmly away from the scene of the crime.

Reinvesting the proceeds from the latest robbery, Daniels arrives at Taylor's boat yard to recruit crooks for the next heist. Richard Marum identifies this as Wooten's Boatyard, Cookham Dean in Berkshire.

Richard Marum provides us with this comparative shot. (RL)

Without a job after the dissolution of his business partnership, Stephen Booker (Martin Sheen) drives his children to school. Northwood College for Girls on Maxwell Road, Northwood in Greater London located by Steve Randall.

With Sarah safely dropped off at the entrance, the architect continues onward to his son's school. Steve Randall identifies this as Northwood College for Girls on Maxwell Road, Northwood in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

On the journey, Dan tells his dad that he'll be wicket keeper in a cricket match on the coming Sunday. This location was bugging Steve Cook as he assumed it was in Windsor near the school, but perseverance paid off and he has this to be Park Road at the corner of South Common Road in Uxbridge.

Antony Blair returned to same location forty years later to find fewer chimneys at the corner property.

Richard Marum provides this additional screen capture showing Stephen Booker in his BMW driving his son to school along the A308 towards Windsor. The roundabout junction A308/A328 sign at Runneymede can be seen through the rear window of the car. (RL)

Richard provides a comparative shot of the same location now, suggesting that the M25 signed here was not open at the time of filming. (RL)

As they approach the school, Stephen tells his delighted son that he will be at the match. This is St. John's Beaumont School in Old Windsor, Berkshire identified by Ben Walker.

The 7 series BMW turns on the school's gravel driveway. Ben Walker found St. John's Beaumont School on Priest Hill in Old Windsor.

With the children delivered to school, Stephen continues into town where he attends several unsuccessful interviews and a less than cordial meeting with his Bank Manager. The entrance to St. John's Beaumont School in Old Windsor, Berkshire located by Ben Walker.

Moving into the privacy of a boat's wheelhouse, Taylor (Jonathan Pryce) listens as Daniels outlines his plan. Woottens Boatyard again, located by Richard.

Richard took this shot in front of the old boat house. (RL)

Dinah Booker (Susannah York) returns to the house after Stephen tells her to give him more tome to raise money for her business plans. Built in the 1960s in the modernist style and found by Richard Marum in Dorney Reach in Buckinghamshire.

The house has a high hedge fronting the river but Richard managed to get this shot over the gate. (RL)

In an office rented by the day, Daniels turns as Stephen enters for an interview.

Gardener and Daniels ask suitable questions before offering the American a position managing the addition of extra floors to their city office block.

Stephen is taken by Gardener to view the premises where the work is to take place. Looking across Blackfriars Bridge approach in EC4 with Sea Containers House rising in the left distance and the OXO Tower to the right on the south bank of the River Thames.

The camera follows the two men as they walk past the obvious signs of reconstruction. In front of Unilever House on Victoria Embankment as it sweeps up to meet New Bridge Street. A clearer view of Unilever House can be seen in 'Stranger in the City'.

Peter provides this unshrouded view of Unilever House.

Dressed as a concierge, Harry lets Gardner and Stephen into the building. Looking out from Blackfriars House on New Bridge Street towards the Blackfriars Court frontage of The Black Friar public house, which is also seen in '23 Paces to Baker Street' and 'The Inn Way Out'.

The background detail is hidden behind the trees. (PW)

Discovering that he has been recruited by criminals intent on robbery, Stephen Booker walks along the river near his home before Daniels drives up alongside. Identified Richard Marum, this is Bray Lock on the Thames in Berkshire.

Richard took this shot of Bray Lock, unfortunately on the day he visited the Environment Agency were carrying out surveying works on the lock, hence the Heras fencing. We are used to scaffolding in our shots. (RL)

Under immense financial pressure, Stephen agrees to help Daniels and the two make their way to the target bank. The junction formed by Blackfriars Underpass, Victoria Embankment and New Bridge Street with Waterloo Bridge crossing the Thames in the top distance.

Daniels parks his Mercedes-Benz SL on the road outside the International Securities Bank. The lower frontage of Unilever House in London EC4.

The pair enter the bank and are shown to the vault where Daniels has a safe deposit box. Looking out from Unilever House with Bridge House on the far side of New Bridge Street. The background premises can also be seen in 'Pool of London' and 'Diamonds on Wheels'.

Taken from the steps of Unilever House. (PW)

At Daniels' house, Stephen is convinced further about the job and the robbery is set for the weekend. 23 Linksway, Northwood, which was rebuilt in 2020. (SR)

In a shed at Taylor's boat yard, the gang and their new recruits run over the plans.

Woottens Boatyard again, from the river, with thanks to Richard's friend Norman who just happened to be passing by boat on the day he was in Bray. (RL)

With the gang on board, Cliff drives the crooks' old Post Office Engineering van from the boat yard.

Gardner arrives near the bank before entering the vacant building opposite. Facing north from outside Blackfriars Underground station entrance on New Bridge Street with Blackfriars House to the left of centre and the corner of Queen Victoria Street on the right.

There's one very obvious change. (PW)

The yellow GPO van passes heads north of the river. Tower Bridge crossing the Thames between E1 and SE1.

I was satisfied with a red bus. (RL)

Gardner positions himself in an upper room with a view of the bank. Looking out from Bridge House with the bridge carrying the railway line south from Blackfriars station on the left and Blackfriars Bridge to the right.

Cut to a shot of the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral seen from Ludgate Hill in EC4.

Taken from the corner of Pageantmaster Court. SJ

The shot tilts down to find the Morris FM travelling towards the bank. Facing east on Ludgate Hill.

Scaffolding-free. SJ

At a predesignated spot, Cliff (Christopher Guard) triggers a charge to blow one of the van's front tyres. New Bridge Street outside Unilever House with the entrance to Blackfriars Underground station in the right background.

A very different background. (PW)

An irate Motorist shouts at Cliff while he works on the wheel as the gang climb down into the sewer system through a hole in the van's floor. New Bridge Street in EC4 with the ground floor of Bridge House in the centre background.

A refurbished Bridge House still stands. (PW)

A Police Officer asks how long the van will remain in its dangerous position. Looking across Blackfriars Bridge towards Southwark with Sampson House in the left distance.

A redesigned road layout and rebuilt railway station are evident. (PW)

With the van's tyre replaced and the gang moving along the sewer towards the bank, Cliff drives away. Facing Unilever House on Victoria Embankment EC4.

Its not often that we get less scaffolding in a comparison shot. (PW)

Cliff drives to the location where the gang will leave the sewer system with their haul. This is Blackfriars Passage alongside Blackfriars station.

Supports for the 'new' Blackfriars station dominate the right of the image. (PW)

The camera follows the van as it manouvers into position above a manhole. Blackfriars Passage with Blackfriars Underpass to the right and Upper Thames Street and White Lion Hill in the right distance.

Taken from a similar position. (PW)

From his vantage point, Gardner keeps an eye on the road outside the bank. The upper floor windows of Bridge House on New Bridge Street.

Bridge House has gained a pediment. (PW)

Evening draws in as the gang tunnel their way from the sewer towards the bank's vault. Looking west along Blackfriars Passage beneath Blackfriars station.

Taken off angle to provide a better view of the background. (PW)

The following morning, a street cleaner passes the International Securities Bank while the men begin to tunnel beneath the vault. Facing Victoria Embankment from New Bridge Street with Kent House Tower rising above The South Bank Television Centre in the left distance.

The London Eye now appears beside Kent House in Peter's shot.

The gang break through the floor of the sealed vault which alerts the Police when alarms are activated. Victoria Embankment with the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster in the left distance.

A different season with queuing cars alongside added cycle lanes. SJ

With Stephen unable to attend, his family watch the Sunday cricket match against Middleton Hall before the players leave the pitch when in begins to rain. The grounds of St. John's Beaumont School on Priest Hill in Old Windsor, Berkshire recognised by Ben Walker who recalls playing an away cricket match against the school, around about the time that the film was made.

The downpour continues as Daniels and his men carry on their task of breaking open the bank's safe deposit boxes. Queen Victoria Street with the entrance of The Black Friar pub on the extreme left.

No rain when I visited. (PW)

Heavy rain hits the roadway, flowing through gullies and draining into the sewer system. Looking from Queen Victoria Street towards Unilever House.

Also rain-free. SJ

Years later at his upmarket offices, successful architect Stephen Booker is visited by Mike Daniels . . . . . "I've got a job for you". 24 Britton Street, London EC1, viewed from Benjamin Street. The building was remodelled in 2009 to become the headquarters of Kurt Geiger. (SR)