Tube Tales

1: Mr Cool, directed by Amy Jenkins - Joe (Dexter Fletcher) and Emma (Kelly Macdonald) leave work at the same time.

Emma leaves Joe to walk to the station as lecherous Luke Kilsen approaches.

The train that Joe boards is taken out of service and he returns to the platform as Emma arrives after escaping from Luke. The sign says Holborn and this is the now disused platform 5.

With acknowledgements to Les Williams and the staff at Holborn station. (PW)

Luke (Jason Flemyng) rushes onto the platform and throws himself through the closing doors of the train. Holborn station on Kingsway WC2. The location was seen in 'The Black Windmill', 'Turn the Key Softly', 'The Boy Who Turned Yellow', 'The Last Train', 'Monsieur Ripois', 'The Gentle Gunman' and 'Piccadilly Third Stop'.

The best shot possible without a train being in the platform. (PW)

Trapped on the empty train, Luke is taken on an embarrassing journey. Jon Horswell identifies this as East Finchley station in London N2, which is also seen in 'Three and Out'.

Peter ventured north to East Finchley to get this daytime shot.

The train heads to the depot. East Finchley again and Jon notes that the direction of the train means that it must have actually left the depot seen in the next screen capture, not be heading towards it!

Another daytime comparison by Peter.

Luke looks out of the windows of his prison in the sidings. Highgate Depot on the Northern Line with 1959 and 1972 stock stabled. Location recognised by Jon Horswell.

2: Horny, directed by Stephen Hopkins - Alex boards a train for town at Bethnal Green. This is supposed to be Bethnal Green station in E2, but Jon Horswell advises that it's the disused Aldwych Branch platform at Holborn station.

This image from 2015 confirms Jon's identification. (PW)

As the journey progresses, Alex's provocative behaviour has undesireable effects on a businessman. A different station and train is used for this scene.

This is Mornington Crescent's northbound platform. With acknowledgements to the staff at Mornington Crescent station. (PW)

When passengers get off, the Businessman (Tom Bell) sits down to hide his embarrasment. The station name reads Bank, but is it?

3: Grasshopper, directed by Menhaj Huda - Mr. X (Stephen Da Costa) walks into Southgate station. Looking out onto Southgate Circus from the station in London N14.

The same location taken by Peter. With thanks to Patrick Marie at Southgate station.

Passengers are observed by serious faced Sonia Clinique (Marcia Rose) as they arrive at the station. The booking hall at Southgate station on the Piccadilly Line.

Peter told us that a member of the station's staff was initially worried about him photographing the ticket machines but was fine after an explanation and even remembered filming taking place.

Stevie (Dele Johnson) and Mo (Raiyo Panthaki) enter the booking hall. Southgate station.

Peter captured this comparison.

Stevie turns towards Miss Clinique as he and Mo head to the stairs.

The same passimeter booth flanked by modern paraphernalia. Picture by Peter.

The two friends stand behind Mr. X on the escalator.

Peter took this on what is now the up escalator.

As the passengers reach platform level, a train arrives to carry them to town.

Peter found that the direction of the escalators has been reversed from that seen in the film. With acknowledgement to Patrick Marie at Southgate station.

An establishing shot of Oxford Circus where ticket inspectors are in action. Oxford Circus station concourse under the junction of Oxford Street and Regent Street in W1.

During the journey, Miss Clinique becomes suspicious about Mr. X. Mornington Crescent station identified by Jon Horswell. Victoria Whiteley was an extra on "Grasshopper" in a scene with Marcia Rose, a very young Ray Panthaki and Jake Wood. The scene was filmed on board a tube train at a disused platform at Holborn Station. "I remember two girls painstakingly painting the tiles on the platform wall a different colour, with tiny brush, to disguise the fact that it was on the Piccadilly Line."

Mr. X pushes past Stevie as he changes cars at Marylebone. Don't be mislead by the station name though, Jon Horswell tells us that it's Mornington Crescent.

Revenue Inspectors Roy (Peter McNamara) and Charlie (Roger Griffiths) challenge a pair of suspected fare dodgers.

As the train comes to a halt below, Miss Clinique radios to her colleagues.

On the way from the platform, Mr. X consumes the drugs that he has been carrying before producing a valid ticket for inspection.

Sonia, Roy and Charlie walk away.

4: My Father the Liar, directed by Bob Hoskins - A Father (Ray Winstone) heads to collect his son.

The man calls up to the flat where his boy lives. Stuttle House, Buxton Street in E1.

Stuttle House now operates an entry system and is fenced off from Hunton Street so this is the best possible shot that Mark O'Neill could capture for this and 026. (RL)

A cigarette is lit whilst the father waits.

The man and his son, Teddy (Tom Watson), head away from the tower block. Passing between Stuttle House and McGlashon House.

The two share Marmite on toast. Hunton Street E1 with Buxton Street in the background.

Mark O'Neill captures St Patricks Old School. (RL)

Teddy walks along a wall as he and his dad head for the station. McGlashon House stands in the background on Hunton Street.

Mark managed to capture the scene without external hindrance. (RL)

The young boy runs ahead. Hunton Street in E1 with properties on Woodseer Street in the distance.

Another from Mark

Teddy walks through a playground as his father catches up.

The pair carry on towards the station.

A railway arch is passed through. Fleet Street Hill in E1, which can also be seen in 'Children of Men' and 'Face'.

Mark O'Neill found the same spot during his break from the office. (RL)

The two turn into a back street. Grimsby Street E2.

As so often happens Mark was plagued by builders, cars and more saying that he will return at a weekend. Looks as though the graffiti has changed and now double yellow lines. (RL)

Ahead, a Man (William Hoyland) talks to himself and gesticulates. Grimsby Street, where this view has changed since the construction of the East London Line extension. The location was also seen in 'Bartleby', 'Good Time Girl', 'Run Fatboy Run' and 'Shirley Valentine'.

Mark took this shot of the "changed view". (RL)

As they pass, the boy looks back at the man, fascinated and worried. Grimsby Street running between Cheshire Street and Brick Lane in E2.

There was nobody there to look at Mark as he took this shot. (RL)

After letting his son into the station through a gap in a gateway, the father walks past a newspaper vendor (Richard Jobson) on his way to the main entrance. Shoreditch Underground station on Pedley Street opposite Code Street in E1.

Mark finds yet more graffiti (RL)

Still smoking, the father descends to platform level. The steps leading to the single platform at Shoreditch station, northern terminus of the East London Line.

After putting out his cigarette, the man goes to find his son. Shoreditch station closed in 2006 to be replaced by Shoreditch High Street station in 2010.

At the end of the platform, the father calls to his son who is hiding. The cutting has been infilled and this is now the site of Allen Gardens in London E1.

Mark believes that he has the right spot given the building and chimney over Ray's shoulder. (RL)

The young lad walks behind his father so as not to be seen. The viaduct seen on the left once carried the railway into Bishopsgate Goods station.

Father and son sit down on a bench and wait for their train. Shoreditch station opened in 1876.

The young boy watches as the man seen earlier walks along the platform, still talking to himself. Two platforms were originally provided along with a second line which was in use until 1966 when the connection to Liverpool Street was severed.

The train's arrival is announced.

As the train pulls into the station, the man jumps into it's path. The former Shoreditch station in E2.

5: Bone, directed by Ewan McGregor - After a concert, Gordon (Nicholas Tennant) leaves the theatre.

The musician walks to the nearest tube station. This looks more like a a warehouse or market entrance than a station. Note the dropped pavement into the 'entrance' and the prop 'Underground' sign which was also seen in 'Metroland'.

The titles of this segment appear on instrument cases. Temple station on Temple Place WC2. The station was also seen in 'Alfie'.

The same booking hall now. (PW)

Gordon queues for a ticket. The booking hall at Temple station on the District and Circle Lines.

No queue today. (PW)

After becoming enchanted by the picture of Ms Reeves on a lost travelcard displayed in the booking office window, Gordon makes his way to platform level. This is the passageway leading from the booking hall to the Waterloo & City Line platforms at Bank.

Peter provides this comparison.

A train slows to stop just as it enters the station. The now disused Aldwych branch platform at Holborn station.

The same platform fourteen years after filming took place. (PW)

Gordon imagines Ms Reeves at the controls of the train as it comes to a halt.

The same opening was re-dressed for filming. (PW)

A Busker (Joe Duttine) playing a flamboyant solo as Gordon leaves the platform.

A few additions now bolted to the wall in this now disused passageway at Holborn station. (PW)

After fantasising about Ms Reeves on the journey, Gordon gets off in a fluster but leaves his trombone on the train. This is Platform 5 at Holborn.

Slightly off angle but the same location masquerading as a Central Line platform in 2013. (PW)

After retrieving his instrument, Gordon believes that he sees Louise Reeves (Kay Curram) as he makes his way from the station. The Trav-O-lator™ linking the booking hall and the Waterloo & City Line platforms at Bank station in EC3. The station is also seen in 'On the Beat', Silver Dream Racer', 'Otley', 'Fragment of Fear' and 'The Mackintosh Man'.

Peter found that the walkways now operate in the opposite directions.

Gordon alights after playing his trombone for Louise whilst the train was held up in a tunnel. No, not Great Portland Street as the name reads. Great Portland Street is on a 'sub-surface' line, and this is a 'tube' station.

This is the disused Platform 5 at Holborn again. With thanks to Les Williams and the staff at Holborn station. (PW)

Having made his fantasy girl smile, Gordon watches as the train disappears into the tunnel.

6: Mouth, directed by Armando Iannucci - A woman (Daniela Nardini) walks from the platform after leaving a train. East Finchley station on the Great North Road in N2.

7: A Bird in the Hand, directed by Jude Law - As a train leaves the station, a trapped bird stuns itself on a window and is picked up by an elderly man.

When the bird recovers, the Old Man (Alan Miller) gets off the train and leaves the platform.

A Ticket Collector (Frank Harper) speaks with a woman at the ticket barrier.

The Old Man approaches and the staff allow him through the ticket barrier.

Still holding the bird, the old man reaches the exit.

Looking down the same stairway. Image from Peter.

Music is heard as the stairs are ascended.

Peter found that the paint has been removed from the centre handrail.

The bird is released.

More up to date but without the pigeon, by Peter.

Highgate station entrance in the car park off Shepherd's Hill in London N6. Incidentally, the disused 'High Level' platform at this station was seen in 'Paperhouse'.

Peter captured the location now.

8: Rosebud, directed by Gaby Dellal - An establishing shot of Mornington Crescent station standing on Hampstead Road NW1.

The same location from street level. (PW)

After magically opening a gate without a ticket, Elizabeth (Doña Croll) reaches the platform.

With thanks to the staff at Mornington Crescent station for permission to take photographs at the location. (PW)

Elizabeth asks Rosebud (Leonie Elliott) if her mother knows where she is.

Renovation or rebuilding work at Mornington Crescent mars this comparison. (PW)

In flashback, Rosebud is left on the platform with her hoop after her mother is prevented from getting off the train. Mornington Crescent station.

Typical! (PW)

Rosebud watches as the train carries her mother away. Mornington Crescent on the Northern Line.

The same location as tubta009, and just as busy! (PW)

Whilst her mother gets off at the next stop, Rosebud stares at a poster.

Angela (Rachel Weisz) returns to the station looking for her little girl.

The same platform at Mornington Crescent now. (PW)

Rosebud follows her hoop as it flies up a stairway.

With thanks to the Supervisor at Mornington Crescent station for assisting with the identification. (PW)

As her mother frantically searches for her, Rosebud watches a group of buskers.

Is this the right location? This is part of the route between the Central and Northern Lines at Tottenham Court Road station in WC2.

Angela asks a member of Staff (Danny Cerqueira) if they can help find her daughter.

With acknowledgements to the staff at Mornington Crescent station. (PW)

The buskers are moved along and Rosebud's hoop is found.

Angela waits after the hoop is brought to the booking office as down on the platform, Elizabeth watches over Rosebud. The booking hall at Mornington Crescent station in NW1.

9: Steal Away, directed by Charles McDougall - A motorist drives through London. Peter identifies this as London Bridge in SE1 taken from the south side with Adelaide House in the right background.

And here's the place,taken from the safety of the pavement. Image by Peter.

On the passenger seat of the car is a briefcase full of money.

The journey continues towards the city.

This is looking west from the junction of Cannon Street and Distaff Lane in EC4 with St. Paul's Cathedral on the right. Located and captured by Peter.

Traffic signals change ahead.

Peter provides this image, facing the junction of Mansion House Street and Prince's Street.

When the car stops at the lights, a Girl (Carmen Ejogo) appears, smashes the door window and steals the briefcase.

The same entrance to Bank station at the corner of Lombard Street and Cornhill EC3 captured by Peter.

The girl's accomplice, Michael (Hans Matheson), throws a bucket of suds at the car as the motorist takes out a gun. Facing the Royal Exchange in EC3 which is seen in many other productions including 'The Mackintosh Man', 'What's Good for the Goose', 'Two Gentlemen Sharing', 'The Salvage Gang', 'Circus of Fear', 'The Green Man', 1951's 'Scrooge', 'Wanted for Murder', 'A Touch of Class', 'Der Gorilla von Soho', '28 Days Later . . .', 'The Lavender Hill Mob' and 'Monsieur Ripois'.

Looking from outside the Royal Exchange towards Poultry, to the right, and Mansion House, to the left. Peter took the shot.

After the girl hears a shot, Michael appears in the station and follows her.

The two run onto the platform.

Finding an open gateway, the young opportunists run down stairs to a lower level.

On a derelict platform, Michael and the girl prepare to open the briefcase.

The closed Aldwych station at the corner of Strand and Surrey Street. (PW)

The couple open the briefcase and get covered in security dye as a train draws to a halt behind them. Closed in 1994, parts Aldwych station also appear in 'Gideon's Day', 'Bellman & True', 'Darkest Hour', 'Their Finest', ‘Creep’, ‘Death Line’, ‘V for Vendetta' and ‘Prick Up Your Ears’.

Aldwych station in WC2. With thanks to David and Christian from TfL for arranging access to the station. (PW)

After boarding the mysterious train and alighting at a station named 'Lords', it becomes apparent that Michael was killed by the motorist when only his ticket is valid at the exit.

A Christmas tree makes the view from the Royal Exchange more festive. Picture by Peter.