Mutations, The
Date: 1974
Director: Jack Cardiff
Production Company: Cyclone, Getty Pictures Corp.
Stars: Donald Pleasence, Tom Baker, Brad Harris, Julie Ege, Michael Dunn, Scott Antony, Jill Haworth
Location(s): Berkshire, London
Region(s): London M-N, South East M-Q
Storyline:
Hoping to speed up evolution, a deranged biologist experiments on students.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
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
- 16 Dec 2021

Students leave college after a lecture by Professor Nolte. Beit Quad at Imperial College in London SW7 identified by the British Film Location Spotters Club on Facebook.

The quad today. SJ
- Capture 2
- 16 Dec 2021

Leaving the quad, Heidi (Julie Ege) and Bridget (Olga Anthony) part company from Tony (Scott Antony) and Lauren (Jill Haworth). Looking into Beit Quadrangle on Prince Consort Road, South Kensington.

Student-free. SJ
- Capture 3
- 13 May 2021

Tony and Lauren walk towards a parked Jaguar. Outside Imperial College's Beit Hall with Exhibition Road in the right distance.

A bus-stop has appeared. SJ
- Capture 4
- 13 May 2021

The two get into the car and Tony drives away. Prince Consort Road SW7 with the Royal College of Music in the centre background. The road was also seen in 'The Ipcress File', 'Seven Keys', 'The Girl on the Boat', 'Quest for Love', 'The Hideout' and 'The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)'.

The Royal College of Music plays on. SJ
- Capture 5
- 05 Aug 2018

Outside Battersea Park, Burns (Michael Dunn) pastes up a poster advertising a freak show. Queenstown Road in London SW8.

Now. SJ
- Capture 6
- 05 Aug 2018

Now walking alone, Bridget approaches the gate to Battersea Park. This is Queenstown Road just south of Chelsea Bridge at the corner of Carriage Drive North. The same bridge appears in 'Pygmalion', 'Absolute Beginners', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire', 'Soapbox Derby', 'Col cuore in gola', 'Up the Junction' and 'Panic'.

On a summer's day... SJ
- Capture 7
- 05 Aug 2018

The camera follows as Bridget enters the park. Carriage Drive North with the River Thames in the background and Chelsea Embankment beyond.

... rather than autumn. SJ
- Capture 8
- 05 Aug 2018

A mysterious fog descends and Bridget starts to run when she sees that someone is following her. Battersea Park in SW11.

Appears to be either alongside the Boating Lake sw of former Deer Enclosure or on Central Peninsular between Ladies Pond and Boating Lake... I quite like here, opposite the Moore sculpture, as the railings bend off the left slightly. SJ
- Capture 9
- 05 Aug 2018

Burns appears from behind a sculpture and begins to pursue the young woman. Three Standing Figures by Henry Moore.

And here's the sculpture. SJ
- Capture 10
- 18 Jul 2018

At his mansion, Professor Nolte (Donald Pleasence) feeds the dogs while the disfigured Lynch (Tom Baker) barters for his latest captive. Oakley Court on Windsor Road, Oakley Green in Berkshire.

Now with the conservatory restored. SJ
- Capture 11
- 18 Jul 2018

More of Oakley Court appears in the background as the two continue their conversation.

An under-used clock tower, given the number of times Oakley Court has appeared. SJ
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required

Lynch returns to the fairground in Battersea Park where Bridget lies unconscious in his caravan. The fair stood in Battersea Park until 1974 and various parts of it feature in 'Bedazzled', 'The File of the Golden Goose', 'The Wrong Arm of the Law', 'The Green Buddha', 'Counterspy', 'Seventy Deadly Pills', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire' and 'Torture Garden'.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required

At London Airport Heidi, Tony and Lauren wait to meet Brian Redford, a chemist and former Army Major who's flying in from the United States. David Rice identifies this as inside the BOAC Air Terminal Building on Buckingham Palace Road SW1.
- Capture 14
- 16 Jan 2019

After sitting in on one of his lectures, Brad Harris (Brian Redford) asks the Professor about his theories. The quadrangle of Beit Hall at Imperial College.

Significant changes have been made. (RL)
- Capture 15
- 16 Jan 2019

Professor Nolte invites the American to his house to see his work. Looking onto Prince Consort Road from Beit Quad in SW7.

As one would expect, little of no change. (RL)
- Capture 16
- 18 Jul 2018

A car brings the two biochemists to Professor Nolte's country home. The gates of Oakley Court on Windsor Road, Oakley Green.

Same gates and posts or a good likeness but a different location: moved 75 yards or so to the east. SJ
- Capture 17
- 18 Jul 2018

Professor Nolte and Brad get out of the Rover P6 and enter the house. Oakley Court makes an appearance in 'Half a Sixpence', 'The Curse of Frankenstein', 'Never Take Sweets From a Stranger', 'And Now The Screaming Starts', 1978's 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', 'Room to Let', 'Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly', 'The Man in Black', 'Someone at the Door (1950)', ‘The Brides of Dracula’, 'The House in Nightmare Park' and many more.

I stood on a wall to gain some height but it was not enough. SJ
- Capture 18
- 16 Jan 2019

A car displaying a poster for the freak show's Monkey Woman passes the college. Prince Consort Road in SW7.

Parking has not become any easier. (RL)
- Capture 19
- 16 Jan 2019

Brad accompanies Heidi, Tony and Lauren as they leave the college. Facing the Royal Albert Hall on the steps from Prince Consort Road. The location appears in many productions including 'Joanna', ‘Hennessey’, 'Seven Keys', 'I Vinti', ‘The Knack . . . and How to Get It’, 'Aksar', ‘Interlude’ and 'Diamonds for Breakfast'.

An extended Royal Albert Hall with more work in hand. (RL)
- Capture 20
- 16 Jan 2019

Professor Nolte follows the students, overtaking them on the steps leading to the Royal Albert Hall. Looking along Prince Consort Road with buildings on Queen's Gate in the distance.

Now without an actor. (RL)
- Capture 21
- 16 Jan 2019

The three friends wonder where Bridget could be after she failed to turn up for tea. Beside Beit Hall of Imperial College on the steps leading up from Prince Consort Road.

Now. (RL)
- Capture 22
- 05 Aug 2018

After closing, Tony makes his way into the fairground at Battersea Park. The steps lead down from Carriage Drive North to the Grand Vista.

These stairs now lead to the Children's Zoo. The balustrade has added ornaments. SJ
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required

Rides come to life as the young man makes his way through the fair before being captured by Lynch.
- Capture 24
- 11 Nov 2018

While Brad and Heidi worry about Tony's disappearance, Lynch cruises the city streets in search of a Prostitute. Facing east on Old Compton Street at the junction of Frith Street in W1 with the Casino, since reverted to its original name of the Prince Edward Theatre, to the right of centre.

A sharper and brighter view. (PW)
- Capture 25
- 29 Jan 2019

Answering the intercom at her flat on fictional Lynley Street, Lauren lets Tony enter only to be confronted by a horrific half plant, half man creature. Chris Rose has pinpointed it as No 99 and will supply a supporting shot. (RL)

True to his word Chris provides the "now". (RL)
- Capture 26
- 27 Jan 2019

Lauren's screams wake the neighbours and alert a nearby Policeman. Dave W places this as 109 and 111 Albert Bridge Road, London SW11. (RL)

Chris Rose visited to find that the greenery has run amok and a new wall and gate posts had been built. (RL)
- Capture 27
- 27 Jan 2019

PC Brent (John Wireford) runs into the building where he discovers Lauren unconscious. The unique stair railings here guides Dave to 103 Albert Bridge Road, London SW11 (RL)

What look like new gate posts restricted Chris's angle but the gate confirms that it is 103. (RL)
- Capture 28
- 05 Aug 2018

As mist creeps up from the river, a Tramp (Toby Lennon) makes his way across Albert Bridge. The bridge is seen in 'Once a Jolly Swagman', 'The Party's Over', 'That Kind of Girl' and 'Sympathy for the Devil'.

From the Battersea end looking north. SJ
- Capture 29
- 05 Aug 2018

The Tramp settles down for the night beside the bridge before the mutated Tony climbs from the river and kills him. Albert Bridge crosses the Thames between Chelsea and Battersea.

Overgrown and fairly inaccessible for a good night's kip nowadays. Taken from Battersea Park. SJ
- Capture 30
- 29 Jan 2019

Brad arrives at Heidi's apartment to find her missing. The door arrangement here guides Dave to 95 and 97 and then 99 Albert Bridge Road, London SW11. (RL)

Chris Rose found a parked car strategically placed. (RL)

