Mr. Nice

On stage, Howard Marks tells the audience the story of his life, beginning with his childhood in Kenfig Hill. Bryn Eirw in Trehafod, Rhondda Cynon Taf with the former Lewis Merthyr colliery in the distance. The colliery is now the Rhondda Heritage Park.

Doing exceptionally well at school, Howard is beaten up for being a swot.

Howard's Headmaster tells him that he wants him to sit the Oxford University entrance scholarship examination. In the centre of the image is Radcliffe Camera, Radcliffe Square in Oxford.

A surprised Dennis Howard Marks (Rhys Ifans) is called to the college for an interview.

The Postman delivers a letter with an Oxford postmark. Bryn Eirw in Trehafod, Rhondda Cynon Taf, formerly Mid Glamorgan.

Having been offered a place at at Balliol College, Howard says farewell to his neighbours. Bryn Eirw in Trehafod.

Edna Marks (Sara Sugarman) tries to keep up with her son as he almost runs along the street. The end of the terraces at the northern end of Bryn Eirw, Trehafod in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Howard arrives in Oxford. The first of several green screen and rear projection effects featuring genuine 1960s footage. This is the central quad at Christ Church College in Oxford.

More archive material, this time with the tower of Magdalen College, Oxford in the background.

Having gained a more colourful life after trying cannabis, as highlighted by the change from a previously monochrome film, Howard moves on to stronger drugs. Atlantic College, St. Donat's Castle at Llantwit Major, Glamorgan located by Steve Randall.

The LSD trip continues. Atlantic College identified by Steve Randall.

Becoming hooked on drugs it doesn’t take long before Howard is busted, but the Dean manages to get all charges dropped. Found by Steve Randall, this is Atlantic College, St. Donat's Castle, Llantwit Major in Glamorgan.

Now going straight, Howard marries Ilze Kadegis and the two move to London. The River Thames with the Houses of Parliament to the centre.

The young couple take up poorly paid teaching jobs in the Capital. Steve Randall recognised Oxford Circus in W1, facing east along Oxford Street.

Envious of their drug running friends’ lifestyles, the two live in a small flat in West London. Archive footage of Shrewsbury Road in London W2, looking north towards Westbourne Park Road. The pub to the left of centre is The Oak and the road was also seen in 'Duffer'.

And this is what the location looks like now. Image by Tris.

Howard and Ilze are woken by Mandy phoning to tell them that Graham has been busted in Germany. The opposite side of Shrewsbury Road in Westbourne Park. This side of the street has been redeveloped.

After Ilze tells him that she's fallen in love with someone else, Howard goes to Germany to visit his friend in prison.

Inside the building, Graham tells Howard that there’s a second load of Lebanese black in a warehouse in Wiesbaden. Manuel Gurtner advises that this is not Lörrach in Baden-Württemberg, as the inaccurate nameplate at the gateway indicates. However, there is a town of the same name located near the Swiss Border which actually has a so-called Justizvollzugsanstalt (JVA), meaning Justice Penal Institution.

Howard goes to the warehouse where he finds a Mercedes with the key in the ignition.

Driving homeward, Howard begins his drug trafficking career.

As the authorities are looking for Graham, borders are easily crossed without incident.

Another checkpoint is successfully negotiated.

It's snowing when Howard arrives back in England and he heads to Judy Lane’s flat to stash the hashish.

1960s Piccadilly Circus fills the screen as Howard walks into view.

Peter provides this comparison of the currently advertising free zone.

The visual effect moves to the southern end of Regent Street in London W1.

The only visual effect in Peter's image is rain.

Howard enters the building where Graham’s contact Mohammed Durrani lives and begins to make a fortune.

In Ireland, reporter Alan Marcuson takes Howard to a meeting with terrorist Jim McCann with the hope of making a deal to import drugs. The view doesn't look like Ireland to Steve Randall who matched it with Dunraven Bay in Southerndown in South Glamorgan.

The Land Rover approaches the remote farm where the Irishman is hiding after escaping from court.

After arrangements are agreed, Jim drives Howard to Shannon Airport. BUT! Jonathan Godwin advises that this is Cardiff Airport standing in. The buildings shown are landside at the west end of the terminal building and drop off/pick up area. (RL)

Following up his identification Jonathan provides a shot of the the same location now. (RL)

Jim McCann (David Thewlis) and Howard go into the airport where the Welshman is shown the operation to smuggle arms. See mrnic029 (RL)

Another capture of Cardiff Airport from Jonathan. (RL)

Saleem Malik takes Howard to show him how the hashish is produced. Archive footage of Kabul in Afghanistan.

The two reach the farm where the hashish is processed.

More cinematic trickery sees Howard walking along Poultry towards the intersection of Princes Street, Threadneedle Street, Cornhill and King William Street in EC3.

No trickery in Peter's shot.

Howard visits chartered accountant Patrick Lane to arrange the opening of a shop in Oxford. Facing east in Mount Stuart Square in Cardiff CF10.

To hide the income from drug smuggling, a dress emporium is opened.

Anna and Belinda haven't a clue what's really going on as photographs are taken and toasts are made.

An old friend from university, Hamilton ‘Mac’ McMillan (Christian McKay), appears on the scene to ask Howard to become a spy for MI6.

Leaving pregnant Judy at home, Howard rushes out to find a working call box to phone Jim in County Kerry. Looking towards the Bute Dock Hotel across West Bute Street from the corner of Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff.

Queues of teenagers wait to use the next nearest phone boxes. Mount Stuart Square with the Cardiff Exchange building to the right.

Having found another telephone and finally making the call, Howard looks for a taxi and heads to Ireland.

In Kabul, Malik makes alternative arrangements for the shipment due to a war in Pakistan. Kabul Airport’s Control Tower in Afghanistan.

The airport is busy as Malik sends a telegram to Jim and Howard advising that the diversion will mean that the flight into Shannon is missed at Frankfurt.

More 60s footage, but maybe not of Kabul Airport as a BEA van is parked in the right background.

The consignment eventually reaches Ireland and is unloaded at the farm.

Howard heads back to England.

He must have gone the long way round as this is a stock shot of TS St. Patrick at Boulogne-sur-Mer, Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The ship was scrapped in Greece during 1980 after 33 years service while the port is seen in 'The Scapegoat' and 'Diplomatic Passport' as well as 'A Day to Remember'.

Howard is stopped by customs as he enters Britain.

The car is dismantled as Howard acknowledges the other motorists who’ve agreed to carry the constituent parts of his cargo.

More cash is banked, much to the delight of the branch Manager and his staff. Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff in South Glamorgan.

As they all holiday in Ibiza, Jim comes out of his apartment whilst arguing with one of the two young Girls that he's brought along.

Howard and Judy try to relax in the Balearic sun.

While Jim fools about with one of the Girls, Patrick proposes moving into the American market

In California, Howard meets with Ernie Combs (Crispin Glover) who tells him that the hashish is expected to arrive in Las Vegas that evening.

A rock band flies into Las Vegas not knowing that their speakers have been packed with hashish.

Archive footage of Las Vegas, maybe from 1971, the year that 'Diamonds Are Forever' was shot here? Certainly not advises Manuel Gurtner, as this aerial shot of Las Vegas Boulevard must be from 1974 onwards because the MGM Grand Hotel was opened at the end of 1973, owned by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Kirk Kerkorian with Shecky Greene as second headliner behind Dean Martin.

When one speaker is inadvertently left behind, the Drug Enforcement Administration follows to see who picks it up.

The rig is stopped and the driver is apprehended, followed by the band and Howard.

Judy and the children accompany Howard when he's released on bail and he returns home to a celebrity welcome. Facing north-west on Bryn Eirw in Trehafod, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Not long after, Howard is taken from the house by an armed, masked man with an Irish accent. The background buildings form Pleasant View, a terrace on Bryn Eirw.

His shocked parents watch as the car carrying Howard drives into the distance. Bryn Eirw in Trehafod, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Chief Superintendent Philip Fairweather (David Sibley) arrives to make enquiries, followed by reporter from Daily Mirror. Looking across Bryn Eirw to Pleasant View in Trehafod.

Having staged his own kidnapping, the next morning Howard is front page news. Dave W recognises the junction of Prince Albert Road NW8 and Avenue Road with the gravity defying balconies of Imperial Court offering views of Regents Park, enhanced by traffic noise. (RL)

The corner today. SJ

Howard reads that he's being pursued by by the IRA, the DEA, Customs and Excise, the police and the press. As with the previous capture identified by Dave, the junction of Prince Albert Road NW8 and Avenue Road with Imperial Court visible center to right hand side. (RL)

Looking west. SJ

Moving around the country in a camper van with Judy and the kids, Howard keeps his empire running from public call boxes.

Travelling under the name of Donald Nice, Howard and Judy arrive at Heathrow Airport to catch a Concorde flight to the USA. More superimposition.

Archive footage of New York is seen as the family arrive in the States.

A taxi drives the Mr. and Mrs. Nice from JFK Airport. Again, a 1960s scene.

Keeping up his false identity, Britain's most wanted fugitive lives in the States for six years. Steve Randall explains that, in the foreground stands the Hotel Gran Melia Victoria, Palma de Majorca in the Balearic Islands.

Returning to Britain, the family arrive at a country hotel with the latest addition to their family.

That evening in the bar, Howard is arrested by Customs Officials.

With no apparent way of avoiding the charges against him, the trafficker appears in court. Cardiff Crown Court in Cathays Park CF10.

Howard is released and leaves Court after committing perjury when a so called Mexican secret service agent is called as a witness.

Free again, Howard and his family move to Palma in Majorca. Paschal Newell identifies this as Altea in Valencia.

On the Balieric Island, Howard set up legitimate wine import export business. This is the parish Church of the Virgin del Consuelo in Altea Costa Blanca near Benidorm, Alicante.

The unchanging scene, captured by Paschal Newell.

The camera tilts down to bring Plaça de l'Església Cinto view.

Paschal Newell found diners still finishing their drinks.

On the island where no one worried about smoking marijuana in the streets, Howard was very busy and very straight and very bored.

Saleem Malik (Omid Djalili) pays a visit to Majorca as police forces in Spain, Britain and the USA begin Operation Lynx.

Police agencies monitor every movement made by Howard and his associates. Focussing on the crane, Paschal Newell believes this to be Alicante cargo port.

In a panic, Patrick Lane (Jamie Harris) calls Howard after Ernie is arrested. Manuel Gurtner explains that the view through the panoramic window shows the impressive 'Little Manhattan' skyline at the Llevant Beach of Benidorm, Alicante province, Costa Blanca.

As a treat, the Marks family go out to an Indian restaurant.

Surveillance continues as the family drive away from their villa.

Howard's call to Ernie of the previous evening is returned but when the phone is picked up no one speaks.

As he goes out to play tennis with a friend, DEA Agent Craig Lovato (Luis Tosár) and his Officers walk into the property.

Following his extradition to the States Howard attempts to show that he's co-operating by giving information about Jim McCann to the authorities which leads to the terrorist being pursued.

After a high speed police chase, Jim is apprehended before opening fire on the cops.

Dennis Howard Marks is sentenced to serve twenty-five years.