Piper’s Tune, The (Children’s Film Foundation)
Date: 1962
Director: Muriel Box
Production Company: Association of Cinema Technicians (A.C.T.)
Stars: Mavis Ranson, Roberta Tovey, Angela White, Malcolm Ranson, Brian Wills, Graham Wills, Delene Scott, Christopher Rhodes, Harold Siddons, Frederick Piper, Charles Rolfe, Nora Gordon, George Woodbridge, Sydney Bromley, Tony Thawton
Location(s): Merionethshire
Region(s): Wales
Storyline:
Hampered by a traitor, a group of children fleeing from Napoleon’s armies attempt to protect a mountain escape route from being discovered.
Additional Information:
Page compiled 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
- 'Now' required
After pointing the way, a Mountain Guide (Tony Thawnton) shakes hands with a Man escaping from Napoleon's advancing army. The end titles advise that location filming took place around Cregennan on the northern slopes of Cader ldris in Merionethshire.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
A Narrator explains "More than a hundred and fifty years ago, Napoleon's armies had conquered most of Europe. Its soldiers took all able bodied people prisoner, forced them to build roads and work for them." Finding a note on his door, the Mountain Guide makes his way to meet with a Shepherd.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
"In the mountains, many escaped by the secret routes over the passes, routes only known to mountain people, the guides, the shepherds and the foresters. Over the mountains the army of the resistance was building up, until one day they could drive the conquerors out of their country." The Shepherd (Sydney Bromley) asks a Woodman (George Woodbridge) when the next lot of escapers are due.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
The next day at first light, a group of refugees including Children approach the farmhouse of Martinez. The farmhouse may be near Halliford Studios at Shepperton in Middlesex.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Martinez's twin grandsons Paul (Brian Wills) and Peter (Graham Wills) get to know Anna (Mavis Ranson), Thomas (Malcolm Ranson), Suzy (Roberta Tovey) and Maria (Angela White) before they're called into the house to eat.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
The next day, the group of refugees are woken early to continue their flight as Joan, an escaping prisoner, arrives to warn Martinez that a Captain in Napoleon's army is making his way towards the farm.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Helping Joan to get away from the Emperor's troops Gonzales (Frederick Piper), Anna and Suzy hide her in a handcart.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Gonzales calls to Joan when she climbs out of the cart and heads for the Woodman's hut.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
A Sergeant (Harold Siddons) and his Men run up when they hear Gonzales shouting.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
When the treacherous Gonzales tricks the Woodman and the Children into revealing the escape route over the mountains, the Captain's Men follow. We're back in Merionethshire.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
After visiting the nearby village to explain what's happened, Paul catches up with his brother and the escapees. This appears to be Rhaeadr Mawddach, a waterfall on the River Mawddach in Merionethshire.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
After shooting the Woodman. the Sergeant leads his Men onward towards Gonzales and the Children.