Mr. Horatio Knibbles (Children’s Film Foundation)
Date: 1971
Director: Robert Hird
Production Company: Anvil Films
Stars: Lesley Roach, Gary Smith, Rachel Brennock, John Ash, Nigel Chivers, David Richards, Anthony Sheppard
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire
Region(s): South East M-Q
Storyline:
A young girl is unhappy after being refused a rabbit for her birthday, that is until she makes the acquaintance of a six foot rabbit visible only to her.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
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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
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Mary Bunting (Lesley Roach) nears home after a trip on her iconic Chopper bicycle.
- Capture 2
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The young girl reaches the yard of the farm where she lives with her Parents and brother Tom.
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In the middle of their cricket match Tom (Gary Smith) and his pals Bob (John Ash) and Derek become annoyed when Mary rides across the pitch.
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Mary approaches as her friend Nancy (Rachel Brennock) plays with her doll.
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Nancy’s Monther (Lila Kaye) calls her daughter inside leaving Mary alone in the garden.
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After hearing strange sounds in the bushes, Mary goes inside the house.
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Discovering Mr. Horatio Knibbles (Anthony Sheppard), a six foot tall talking rabbit that only she can see, Mary returns to the garden.
- Capture 8
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Horatio and Mary walk through the farm yard when it’s time for him to depart.
- Capture 9
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Mary waves her new friend off as he heads back to Rhododendron Mansion.
- Capture 10
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Whilst out for the day with Horatio, Mary is approached by a Gamekeeper (Freddie Jones) who cannot see her companion.
- Capture 11
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Riding his Honda C50, P.C. Briggs (Fred Evans) approaches the pair as they walk down a country lane.
- Capture 12
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Mary and her elegantly dressed friend take a trip along the river.
- Capture 13
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Realising that her parents must be worried, Horatio takes Mary home.
- Capture 14
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Arriving to take an old water butt away, a Deliveryman (Roy Barraclough) speaks with Mr. Bunting (Bernard Horsfall).
- Capture 15
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After the invisible Horatio climbs into the water butt to hide, the Deliveryman and his Mate load it onto their truck.
- Capture 16
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The Ford Transit is driven from the farm.
- Capture 17
- 24 Jun 2019
The pick-up truck makes its way through the nearby village. Looking north-west along Village Road in Denham, Buckinghamshire.
Antony Blair visited on a wet day.
- Capture 18
- 24 Jun 2019
A Woman (Joan Benham) pushing a Gentleman shakes her fist at the Deliveryman when he almost runs into them as they cross the road. Village Road, Denham.
Antony found the same village post box still standing.
- Capture 19
- 24 Jun 2019
Still inside, Horatio manages to roll the water butt off the back of the truck. The entrance to The Swan Inn on Village Road.
The entrance as it looks now captured by Antony Blair.
- Capture 20
- 24 Jun 2019
P.C. Briggs spots the water butt as it floats along the street. In front of The Swan Inn, Denham.
No P.C. outside the pub in Antony's shot.
- Capture 21
- 24 Jun 2019
Villagers watch as the Constable starts to chase the huge cask. Village Road, opposite The Green Man public house.
Antony found far less activity.
- Capture 22
- 24 Jun 2019
Village Road, Denham appears in numerous films including ‘Murder at the Gallop’, ‘Great Day’, 'Oh, Daddy', ‘The Chiltern Hundreds’, ‘The Square Peg’, 'The Child and the Killer', 'Talk About Jacqueline', ‘Made in Heaven’, 'Three Men in a Boat (1933)', 'Cheer Boys Cheer' and ‘Man in the Moon’.
Antony's comparison shows that modern transport methods are preferable to a barrel.
- Capture 23
- 24 Jun 2019
P.C. Harris gains on the wandering water butt. Outside The Old Cottage on Village Road.
Taken from a similar position by Antony.
- Capture 24
- 24 Jun 2019
Mary had earlier told the Officer the spell that reveals Horatio and when he catches up with the barrel he sees the rabbit inside. Facing The Old Cottage on Village Road in Denham, Buckinghamshire.
Antony Blair found roses in bloom at the Old House.
- Capture 25
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Just outside the village, Sergeant (David Lodge) hears a siren in the distance. Opposite the Royal Oak public house on Old Uxbridge Road in West Hyde, Hertfordshire. The call box has been removed but the telegraph pole remains.
- Capture 26
- 27 Aug 2025
The Sergeant stops traffic to allow P.C. Harris to pass on his moped and is surprised to see him pulling a trailer with the water butt on board. The junction of Old Uxbridge Road and Copper Mill Lane, West Hyde, in front of the Royal Oak.
Antony Blair returned to the junction after 54 years had passed.
- Capture 27
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When P.C. Harris stops his moped, Horatio disappears through a hedgerow. This has the appearance of Old Uxbridge Road to the south of the Royal Oak in West Hyde.
- Capture 28
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At the farm, Mr. and Mrs. Bunting (Jane Jordan Rogers) supervise games at Mary’s birthday party.
- Capture 29
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Still concealed in the water butt, Horatio heads towards the farm.
- Capture 30
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The camera follows the floating barrel as it passes the front of the house.
- Capture 31
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After Mary teaches everyone the magic spell that allows them to see him, Horatio bids them all farewell.