Waltz of the Toreadors

Date: 1962
Director: John Guillermin
Production Company: Independent Artists

Stars: Peter Sellers, Dany Robin, Margaret Leighton, Cyril Cusack, John Fraser, Prunella Scales, Denise Coffey, Vanda Godsell
Location(s): Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Kent, Sussex

Region(s):

Storyline:

At the end of a glorious military career a General retires to his Sussex manor to write his memoirs . . . but unfortunately, his private life is a disaster.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Steve Randall

Whilst Shell Rubin was doing some research he came across this report:

Alfriston, Sussex.

When the Film unit rolled into the Village , they used Property Frontage on most of the shops , The post office was dressed as the Millinery and Haberdashery shop , The Post Office was moved to the edge of the village away from the filming , The Stag Hotel became the Black Raven, a huge prop cattle trough was placed in the middle of the Village Square, cattle and sheep were loaned from Berwick Court Farm as well as the Farms own Sheepdog, Fairy, who played her part in the Film. Police from nearby Hailsham controlled the traffic flow on Walkie Talkies. The small crowds that turned up to watch the filming were surprised how nice the stars were in between takes.
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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
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Recently arrived from France, a carriage carries attractive Mademoiselle Ghislaine (Dany Robin) through a quiet village. West Street, Alfriston in Sussex.

  • Capture 2
  • 19 Oct 2025

The carriage takes the long-term platonic mistress of General Leo Fitzjohn to consummate their love. Waterloo Square in Alfriston, a location that appears in 'The Chalk Garden'.

Keith Prested provides the comparison shot and adds that the tree remains in-situ, although probably not the same one. The lamp post is an addition.

  • Capture 3
  • 19 Oct 2025

Arriving at an inn, Ghislaine is welcomed to her room. The Star Hotel on High Street in Alfriston.

Keith Prested captures the present-day Star Hotel which, in recent years, has featured in the Channel 5 documentary series, Alex Polizzi: My Hotel Nightmare.

  • Capture 4
  • 23 Dec 2022

Ghislaine looks from her window to see Leo (Peter Sellers), whose retirement from a glorious military career is being celebrated. New Schools Yard at Eton College in Windsor, Berkshire.

A roof extension to the left, and new buildings to the right. (SR)

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  • 23 Dec 2022

The General is presented with an equestrian statue. New Schools Yard at Eton College, Windsor.

Not much change here, apart from the absence of soldiers. (SR)

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Leo rides to his country manor with his aide, Finch (John Fraser). Leeds Castle at Broomfield near Maidstone, Kent.

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The general intends to retire here and write his memoirs. Leeds Castle at Broomfield in Kent.

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The equestrian statue is delivered as Leo emerges from the arch. But this is an entirely different location, the 12th century Allington Castle on Castle Road, Allington, Maidstone in Kent, Currently a private residence.

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Leo remembers past glories. An unidentified location.

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  • 19 Oct 2025

Having been told by Ghislaine that his wife has been unfaithful with Dr. Grogan, Leo rides off to confront him. Waterloo Square in Alfriston.

The High Street today, captured by Keith Prested.

  • Capture 11
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At Dr. Grogan’s house, Leo is persuaded to leave his wife for Ghislaine. Prompted by Shell Rubin, we have found 'The Chaise House', 28 West Street, Alfriston, E. Sussex. (RL)

  • Capture 12
  • 19 Oct 2025

Dr. Grogan (Cyril Cusack) offers Ghislaine a lift in his car while Leo rides back. West Street in Alfriston, Sussex.

Another excellent comparison shot from Keith.

  • Capture 13
  • 19 Oct 2025

Riding back through the trail of exhaust smoke from Dr. Grogan’s car, Leo encounters his daughters, Estella (Prunella Scales) and Estrella (Denise Coffey). Facing Alfriston Village Stores on Waterloo Square.

The smoke having cleared, Keith finds a still-operating village shop, arranged (unusually) on two floors and with a very nice delicatessen.

  • Capture 14
  • 19 Oct 2025

Fitzjohn takes time to flirt with Emma Bulstrode (Vanda Godsell), the dress shop proprietor. Waterloo Square, Alfriston now in East Sussex.

Keith's shot is slightly off-angle due to parked vehicles.

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Meanwhile, Dr. Grogan’s automobile has broken down. The Gatehouse at Leeds Castle in Kent.

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Eventually, Leo shows up. A wider view of the Gatehouse at Leeds Castle.

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When Leo’s hypochondriac wife Emily runs off, as Fitzjohn chases after her Ghislaine is incensed and waves her pistol shooting wildly. Allington Castle on Castle Road, Maidstone.

  • Capture 18
  • 20 Dec 2022

Ghislaine goes to drown herself in the lake. Site visitor Lewis Gravenell recognises the north east corner of the lake at Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent, somewhere he passes regularly.

Lewis captured the Mote Park lake in Winter.

  • Capture 19
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The staff arrive to see what’s going on. Confusingly, the location has switched back to Leeds Castle. The castle also appears in 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'.

  • Capture 20
  • 04 Nov 2022

Meanwhile, a Stationmaster opens the level crossing gates to let a train pass. According to our friends at the British Rail Movie Database, this is an occupation crossing just south of Horsted Keynes on the, then, newly formed Bluebell Railway. However, the gates were a prop.

John Harwood improved his own off-angle shot from October. (SJ)

  • Capture 21
  • 23 Oct 2022

A train speeds over the level crossing. Near Horsted Keynes in Sussex.

John apologises for lack of horse and train direction but the steam looks good. (SJ)

  • Capture 22
  • 25 Oct 2022

Emily (Margaret Leighton) sits on the track in a suicide attempt, but there are no more trains that day so Leo takes her home. The occupation crossing near Horsted Keynes in Sussex.

And another one from John's drone. And a similar-looking signpost. (SJ)

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Leo’s dalliances with Ghislaine over 17 years have been confined to meetings in the parks of Paris on business trips. An unidentified location.

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Hoping to speed things up, Ghislaine runs off with Leo to the inn where she is staying. The Star Hotel in Alfriston, Sussex.

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The inn is full with members of the local hunt and Leo cannot get a room so he tries to climb the wall to be with Ghislaine before falling into a water butt and being dragged home. Probably a set.

  • Capture 26
  • 19 Oct 2025

Robert turns up at the inn looking for Ghislaine, but she has left for the station. The Star Hotel on High Street in Alfriston.

Keith finds no bodies lying in the street, or men on horseback, but plenty of cars.

  • Capture 27
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Ghislaine waits to board a train. Sheffield Park station on the Bluebell Railway in Sussex.

  • Capture 28
  • 06 Apr 2023

Robert speeds towards the station. Sheffield Park station on Station Approach in Sheffield Park.

John Harwood found blue sky at Bluebell's Sheffield Park and hopes an iron horse is a suitable substitute. (SJ)

  • Capture 29
  • 06 Apr 2023

The train has already departed. Sheffield Park station in Sussex also appears in 'Mr. Holmes', 'The Young Visiters', 'Night Train to Murder', 'The Naked Runner' and 'The Innocents'.

John H. did not however miss the train. (SJ)

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Robert rides alongside the train and seizes Ghislaine. By the side of a ruined abbey, he declares his undying love for her. Bayham Old Abbey on Clay Hill Road in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

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Ghislaine runs to escape his clutches. Bayham Old Abbey on Clay Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells.

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Robert gives chase. Bayham Old Abbey at Tunbridge Wells.

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The couple end up together. Bayham Old Abbey, Clay Hill Road in Tunbridge Wells, Kent which also appears in 'Oh! What a Lovely War'.

  • Capture 34
  • 16 Oct 2022

A hearse pulls up at a church. Is there to be a funeral? St. Peter & St. Paul's church in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.

Antony Blair returned to the location 60 years on.

  • Capture 35
  • 16 Oct 2022

Not a funeral, but a wedding. Robert and Ghislaine emerge having hidden under the flowers. St. Peter & St. Paul's church on Church Lane, Great Missenden. The church can be seen in the distance during 'The Ship That Died of Shame'.

Motors replace horses in Antony Blair's view.

  • Capture 36
  • 16 Oct 2022

Leo marshals his troops to prevent the union. St. Peter & St. Paul's church at Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire.

Antony Blair captured a similar scene.