Top Secret! (1984)
Date: 1984
Director: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Production Company: Paramount Pictures Corporation
Stars: Val Kilmer, Lucy Gutteridge, Christopher Villiers, Omar Sharif
Location(s): Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cornwall, London, Northamptonshire
Region(s): London T-Z, Midlands, South East R-Z, South West
Storyline:
An American surf rock musician is invited to East Germany to perform a show and gets caught up in the world of espionage.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Steve Randall
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
- 'Now' required

An opening sequence has Agent Cedric (Omar Sharif) involved in a fight on the roof of a train in East Germany. Too dark to tell from the capture, but this was filmed on the Nene Valley Railway, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, which was also used in 'Afraid of the Dark' and 'Goldeneye'.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required

Action moves to a meeting of the East German High Command, where they have planned a diversionary cultural festival. Unknown location.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required

The Americans arrange for rock and roll star Nick Rivers to be sent to the festival. A Beach Boys-style musical sequence makes use of Holywell Bay, Newquay, Cornwall.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required

Surfers with rifles for skeet shooting drive down the beach. Holywell Bay, Newquay, Cornwall. The beach front here can also be seen in 'Die Another Day'.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required

The jeep continues down the beach. Holywell Bay, Newquay, Cornwall.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required

Rifle in hand and girl by his side, a surfer walks toward the sunset. Holywell Bay, Newquay, Cornwall.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required

Boarding a train, Rick (Val Kilmer) heads for East Germany. Nene Valley Railway, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
- Capture 8
- 11 May 2024

Nick faces the welcoming committee. Osterley Park House, Isleworth, Greater London, also seen in 'On the Fiddle','The Grass is Greener', 'An Alligator Named Daisy', 'Billion Dollar Brain' and 'A Study in Terror'.

Fenced off when I visited because of slippery steps.
- Capture 9
- 11 May 2024

The crowd sing the East German National Anthem. The stables at Osterley Park House.

Now an eating area for the NT cafe.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required

Agent Cedric has an unfortunate meeting with a car crusher machine. Unidentified location.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required

Nick has dinner at the Hotel Gey Schluffen. The ubiquitous Heatherden Hall, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required

Nick is arrested and faces a firing squad. He may be reprieved if the old woman gets to the phone in time. Rockingham Castle, Rockingham, Corby, Northamptonshire.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required

Following his concert, Nick is rescued by Hilary Flammand (Lucy Gutteridge), a member of the resistance. They run to a park. Thanks to Jacob Morris who recognises the gardens at Pinewood Studios, with the rear of Heatherden Hall in the background.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required

Hillary tells Nick about Nigel (Christopher Villiers), a boy she was stranded with on a desert island, seen in flashback. Holywell Bay, Newquay, Cornwall.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required

Nick and Hillary take a ride through the forest. Black Park, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required

They arrive at the "Potato Farm" to meet other members of the resistance, only to find it is run by Nigel.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required

The group plan the rescue of Hillary's father from prison. Rockingham Castle, Rockingham, Corby, Northamptonshire
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required

Cunningly disguised as a cow, Nigel and Du Quois, make their way into the prison grounds. Rockingham Castle.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required

Nigel and Du Quois cut the power in the generator building, a prop set up at Rockingham Castle.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required

The rest of the group enter the prison. Rockingham Castle.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required

Nigel, in the rear end of the cow costume, gets a surprise when a bull appears. Rockingham Castle.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required

As Hillary's father is rescued, he shows Nick his nearly completed escape tunnel, which looks remarkably like the Holland Tunnel which connects New York City with Jersey City.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required

Traitor Nigel has seized Hillary. In pursuit, Nick takes a flying leap over six buses, with help from stuntman Eddie Kidd. Bulstrode Park, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required

Nick jumps onto Nigel's landrover in an attempt to save Hillary.
- Capture 25
- 'Now' required

The combatants plunge from the vehicle to continue the fight underwater. Albert Bridge, Southlea Road, Datchet, Berkshire.

