Spiral Staircase, The
Date: 1975
Director: Peter Collinson
Production Company: Raven Films
Stars: Jacqueline Bisset, Christopher Plummer, Sam Wanamaker, John Phillip Law, Gayle Hunnicutt, John Ronane
Location(s): Berkshire
Region(s): South East R-Z
Storyline:
Killer targets those with physical disabilities, such as a widow who’s lost her voice after losing her family. This remake of the 1946 classic, here aimed for US TV, was released in cinemas outside the US. SJ
Additional Information:
It is part of The Purpose of Reelstreets to reveal outdoor scenes shot in recognisable built-up locations and show how they have changed in the intervening years. Since January 2019 we have the facility to display a second “now” in order to show any changes that may or may not have occurred in intervening years. The criteria applied is fifteen years since the previous comparison shot. However, Nick Williams advised us three years ago, when he submitted now shots for Captures 3, 6 and 7, that Bracknell was undergoing major redevelopment and he has now provided three further “now” pictures following the completion of the redevelopment. Nick’s update changes can be viewed here.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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
- 28 Jan 2016
Blind girl (Heather Lowe) with her guide dog passes a modern-looking church. Identified by Nick Williams and confirmed by Andrew Radgick as the Catholic Church of St. Joseph on Stanley Walk in Bracknell, Berkshire.
Nick provides this shot of the church. (RL)
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Well, this "staircase" spirals (there isn't another one in the film). The spiral walkway at the end of Broadway in Bracknell identified by Andrew Radgick.
- Capture 3
- 28 Jan 2016
Looks freshly built: we are supposed to believe this is the USA, Boston area. Andrew Radgick advises that the spiral walkway at the end of Broadway was demolished in 2013.
Nick Williams confirms that this is not Boston, USA but Bracknell. He says that "Bracknell’s undergoing major redevelopment, so this area has now gone. But it was the western end of Broadway, Bracknell (that’s the eyesore that was Winchester House ('the 3M building') in the background. Capture 2 is the same area" The result of the "major redevelopment" can be seen in a subsequent comparison shot via a link in the Header Section of this film.(RL)
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
A killer's hand is following Lowe. Andrew Radgick advises that this is the tea house on Broadway, Bracknell, seen from the spiral walkway. The location was also seen in 'The Offence'.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
A killer has her in his/her sights. Andrew Radgick confirms this to be the same underpass as was featured next to the building in capture 6.
- Capture 6
- 28 Jan 2016
Bisset and Ronane arrive at the murder scene. This high rise is next to the underpass. And puts it in Bracknell, Berkshire.
Nick Williams says that the screen capture was of Winchester House, Bracknell, which, he says, has now been demolished, as has the nearby underpass. The result of the "major redevelopment" can be seen in a subsequent comparison shot via a link in the Header Section of this film.(RL)
- Capture 7
- 28 Jan 2016
Wanamaker waits for an examination of the corpse.
Nick says that now the underpass has now gone, there is just a walkway that is roughly where it used to be (by Waitrose). The result of the "major redevelopment" can be seen in a subsequent comparison shot via a link in the Header Section of this film.(RL)
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Bisset enters her uncles' house. Binfield Manor, Warfield, Berkshire, also seen in 'The Stud' and 'Blind Terror'.