Thunderbirds

Date: 2004
Director: Jonathan Frakes
Production Company: Working Title Films, StudioCanal, Tracy Films

Stars: Brady Corbet, Bill Paxton, Ben Kingsley, Sophia Myles, Anthony Edwards, Vanessa Hudgens
Location(s): Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, London, Seychelles

Region(s): , ,

Storyline:

When The Hood invades International Rescue’s secret base and traps most of the Tracy family in space, only young Alan and his friends can save the day.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

 

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Alan Tracy (Brady Corbet) gazes into the sky during lessons at boarding school. IMDb advises that this is Wellington College, Crowthorne in Berkshire.

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Miss Garrett (Debora Weston) advises Alan that the rest of the class have been discussing the Pythagorean theorem.

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With the lesson over, the Headmaster (Lou Hirsch) accompanies Miss Garrett through the school grounds. Wellington College on Duke's Ride in Crowthorne.

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Alan and his friend Fermat Hackenbacker (Soren Fulton) are told that the Thunderbirds are on television fighting an oil rig fire.

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Parker (Ron Cook) keeps an eye on the schoolboys as Lady Penelope picks Alan and Fermat up from school for the spring holiday.

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Lady Penelope and the boys are driven away, heading for Tracy Island. Wellington College, Duke's Ride in Crowthorne, Berkshire. The location was used in 'Lords of Discipline'.

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Survivors from the oil rig fire are taken to San Francisco City Hospital. The offices of CA Technologies on Riding Court Road, Datchet, Berkshire.

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Tracy Island, situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Actually the Seychelles' North Island in the Indian Ocean.

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When The Hood takes over International Rescue's base, Alan, Fermat and Tintin escape as Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Gordon and John are trapped on board Thunderbird 5. The North Island (Île du Nord) of the Seychelles.

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The friends avoid capture as they plan to defeat The Hood. Other scenes were filmed on Praslin Island, Seychelles.

In England, Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward attempts to contact Jeff Tracy. Cliveden House near Taplow, Buckinghamshire.

Lady Penelope wasn't at home when Andrew Price called.

Parker cleans one of the many cars in Lady Penelope's possession. The grounds of Cliveden House near Taplow confirmed by Andrew Price.

Andrew revisited the scene.

Lady Penelope calls for Parker when Jeff fails to respond. Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire.

A spruced up view from Andrew Price.

Parker drives his mistress to Tracy Island. Cliveden House can also be seen in 'Carry On Don't Lose Your Head' and 'The Card'.

Andrew Price's shot shows that the number of cars has increased over the years.

The entrance gates of Creighton-Ward Mansion. To the left stands Cliveden House Clock Tower, originally built as a water tower. The structure is also seen in 'The Assassination Bureau Limited' and 'Carry On Don't Lose Your Head'.

Taken from a similar position by Andrew Price.

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Alan, Fermat and Tintin find the satellite uplink and give control of Thunderbird 5 back to Jeff. Either somewhere on North Island or in Vallée de Mai park on Praslin Island in the Seychelles.

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When The Hood and his gang take Thunderbird 2 to rob the Bank of London, Alan, Fermat and Tintin follow in Thunderbird 1. Godrevy Lighthouse on Godrevy Island off Cornwall.

News reporter Lisa Lowe (Genie Francis) reports on the unexpected appearance of Thunderbird 2 in London's Jubilee Gardens. Belvedere Road in SE1 with the approaches to Hungerford Bridge on the extreme left.

Now. SJ

Crowds gather to watch as the Mole is used to tunnel under the Thames towards the bank. Looking towards Hungerford Bridge and the southernmost Golden Jubilee Bridge from Riverside Walk.

Very close to the Millennium Wheel. SJ

The Mole strikes the supports of a monorail, causing a car full of passengers to fall into the river. Looking across to the north bank of the Thames with the Royal Horseguards Hotel top right.

Right from the northeast corner of Westminster Bridge. SJ

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Jeff and his sons arrive on the scene in Thunderbird 3 as Alan and his friends rescue the monorail passengers. The London Eye stands in the Thames off Riverside Walk SE1.

John (Lex Shrapnel), Gordon (Ben Torgersen), Scott (Philip Winchester), Jeff (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Dominic Colenso) run from the craft and watch the successful rescue. The south end of the northernmost Golden Jubilee Bridge with Hungerford Bridge seen bottom right.

Bang on. SJ

The Tracy family are reunited. The South bank SE1 with Hungerford Bridge in the background.

The gate is closed but otherwise the same. SJ

Jeff tells Alan that they have to get to the Bank of London. In the background is Festival Pier, a stop for river boat services in front of the Royal Festival Hall and National Film Theatre.

Also seen at the end of Buster. SJ

Inside the bank, The Hood and his crew carry out their plan. University College London, Gower Street WC1.

The same location without Thunderbird 1's nose-cone. Picture by Peter.

Alan, Fermat and Tintin defeat The Hood and his gang. The Wilkins Building of University College London in WC1. The location has featured in several productions including 'Wicked as They Come', 'Raising the Wind', 'The Lost Language of Cranes', ‘The Idol’, ‘Doctor in the House’, ‘Doctor in Love’, ‘The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu’, ‘Inception’, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, 1959’s ‘The 39 Steps’ and ‘The Man Who Never Was'.

The same location now, by Peter.

The Hood (Ben Kingsley), weakened by use of his powers, is carried from the bank by his henchman, Mullion (Deobia Oparei). UCL, London WC1.

Peter found changes too the artwork.

Lady Penelope (Sophia Myles) and Parker prepare to leave. University College London, Gower Street WC1.

A lovely comparison from Peter.