Medusa Touch, The

Date: 1978
Director: Jack Gold
Production Company: Coatesgold, ITC Entertainment

Stars: Richard Burton, Lino Ventura, Lee Remick, Harry Andrews, Alan Badel, Marie-Christine Barrault, Jeremy Brett, Michael Hordern, Gordon Jackson, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Jayne, Norman Bird, Philip Stone
Location(s): Bristol, Kent, London

Region(s): , ,

Storyline:

John Morlar, a writer, uses telekinesis to exploit his ‘gift for disaster.’

Additional Information:

Originally uploaded by JT in 2008 and revised by in 2015 SJ to include Bristol scenes prompted, with thanks, by Audrey Crook

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Burton's flat. Lightened in photoshop but it's still very dark. Other ground shots are seen further briefly... Darkness doesn't hold Jules Ballantyne back, Oakwood Court, London W14. Keep eating those carrots Jules. (RL)

Replacing Jules's GEV from June '16. This is taken from Addison Road looking north-east at the block containing 63-84 Oakwood Court. SJ

One of those tantalising signs... after nearly 10 years, identified as Burwood Place, W2, by Chris Bond.

This replaces Chris' GEV shot posted Oct '24, looking south-west at the corner of Norfolk Crescent. SJ

Wimpole Street, W1. Remick's practice.

Door no longer matches the side panelling. And have the shoe-scrapers turned 90 degrees? SJ

Herne Bay, Kent. The young Burton plays on a family holiday with Jayne and Bird.

Customary scaffolding for an RS now. (RL)

Jayne on the steps of 40 Central Parade, Herne Bay.

No one waving today. (RL)

Bird by the entrance to "Fairveiw Hotel."

Any recent reports on Trip Advisor? (RL)

Central Parade, Herne Bay. The resort also features in 'French Dressing'.

Thankfully they are all back at school now. (RL)

  • 'Now' required

St Margaret's Bay, Kent. Note the added addition of ruined monastery, also known as St Mary's or Reculver Towers on the cliff.

St Mary's, Reculver, just to the east of Herne Bay.

I have no idea how they achieved that angle but my shot is reversed, as was the film. (RL)

Hmmm, bit more trickery here. Someone in "the local" said "that's Dover/St Margarets Bay". (RL)

Jon Opstad proves that the locals were indeed correct, it is St Margarets Bay and Jon confirms that the "ruins" representing Reculver were clearly a prop and nothing else as changed. (RL)

Close-up of 10 year old Morlar (Adam Bridges) watching his parents prepare a picnic on the cliff top.

Jolly lucky to even find us up there today. (RL)

Bridges: not such a close-up

Just a close-up of rocks. (RL)

French detective Ventura (out of shot) about to cross in front of a Citroen deux chevaux-vapeur. Nice touch. King Street WC2 looking west towards Bedford Street as identified by Ian Hedgcock.

Also captured in this image by Ian, who was followed closely by Peter taking the same shots.

Reverse pov with Ventura in full Gallic shot. Ian Hedgcock confirms that this is King Street again, this time looking east towards Covent Garden.

Ian and Peter were both at the location at the same time and this one is from Peter.

And there he is jaywalking again.

No jaywalking when Peter was there.

Publisher Jacobi watches his author Burton go for chat with a man on a bench. Looking towards the north-east entrance of Mount Street Gardens on Mount Street, London W1 recognised by Benny Bukhave.

Chris Bond took this at the rear of Farm Street Church, aka Church of the Immaculate Conception, from ground level about the same time I was there for a Darling shot (capture 8). The original must have been from a window from 1 Mount Street Mews. (SJ)

Another flashback for Burton as a 14 year old he has to pick up 2000 leaves. Oakley Court, Berkshire yet again.

A brighter, less sinister, day. SJ

Ventura and Badel between Pump Court and the western end of Temple Church, London EC4.

A lot cleaner now. SJ

Walking up towards Strand along Middle Temple Lane.

And looking down towards the Embankment. SJ

On Strand, WC2.

A near identical angle to one from The Assassination Bureau. SJ

Ventura continues his investigation with Andrews on Horse Guard Road, SW1.

Much lighter with barer trees. SJ

Andrews doing his granite-jaw thing. I'm sure I've described him as that before!

A much popular location. London Movie Guide has some. SJ

Back to Wimpole Street, W1.

Wimpole Street at Weymouth Street, looking north. An improved angle (but still not perfect thanks to a parked car) to replace mine originally loaded 20/07/08. SJ

Reverse pov.

Wimpole Street looking south. 20/07/08. SJ

A grab too many perhaps, same as above.

Wimpole Street. Harvey's flat from Darling on the left. 22/08/08. SJ

Wentura with Remick outside her practice.

An improved angle near the corner of Wimpole Street and Weymouth Street to replace mine originally loaded on 22/08/08. SJ

  • 'Now' required

A clue to the vicinity of Burton's flat.

A shot of "Minster Cathedral," not in any way to be confused with Westminster Abbey despite the red bus. Bristol.

Almost the right angle. Bristol Cathedral viewed from the top floor of Trenchard Street car park and with no venetian blinds to obscure the view. SD

Ventura goes to the Cathedral in an attempt to avert disaster.

Bristol Cathedral now. SD

Remick enters Burton's apartment block... Having found cap01 Jules was soon to identify Burton's apartment to be in the 63-84 range of Oakwood Court, London W14 with apartments 165-188 behind Remick. (RL)

Looking south from 63-84's doorway. SJ

Andrews, Stone and Ventura discuss the risk.

Inside Bristol Cathedral. SD

Another shot of Ventura at Bristol

College Square, Bristol. SD

Not one but two red buses in Bristol.

College Square looking towards Deanery Road. SD

Ventura shows concern that the cathedral is weakening.

Thankfully no sign of falling masonry now. SD