Where’s Jack?

Date: 1969
Director: James Clavell
Production Company: Oakhurst Productions

Stars: Tommy Steele, Stanley Baker, Fiona Lewis
Location(s): County Wicklow

Region(s):

Storyline:

The exploits of a notorious 18th century thief and prison-breaker unfold as he’s pursued by a corrupt crime fighter.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

Pat Cleary draws out attention to a video on YouTube that explains why, in the early 1800s, the British Army went to the trouble and expense of building a very long road in the middle of nowhere across the then inaccessible Wicklow mountains. The video can be found here.

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On a job for Jonathan Wild the thief-taker, Leatherchest (Noel Purcell), Jack Sheppard (Tommy Steele) and "Blueskin" Blake (Dudley Foster) look over at the home of the Count de la Rouse's Mistress who has just been gifted a new tiara.

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The three ne'er-do-wells head for the house.

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As Jack browses at a pie stall, "Edgworth" Bess Lyon (Fiona Lewis) calls down to him whilst cleaning an upstairs window. Much filming took place on sets constructed in the grounds of Glencree Barracks in County Wicklow where Pat Cleary explains "A massive set was constructed in the grounds and it's difficult to distinguish the barracks from set. Of course, there has also been much demolition and rebuilding since."

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Jumping over a dead horse, Jack makes his way to Newgate Prison to meet his brother who he believes is being released after being spared from hanging by Wild.

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Jack returns to the square where Leatherchest is performing his escapology feat after seeing Tom Sheppard being dragged onto a ship bound for the colonies the night before. Constructed by the British Army in the early 19th century and vacated in 1815, this is Glencree Barracks, which can also be seen in 'The Last Remake of Beau Geste'.

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At a fair, Children watch a puppet show performance about Jack's exploits.

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Carrying out another robbery, Jack is covered in smoke as he climbs the chimney stacks of the Lord Chancellor's mansion. The roof of Charleville House in Enniskerry, County Wicklow.

  • Capture 8
  • 14 Jun 2025

As smoke from the blocked chimneys billows from every door and window, the Lord Chancellor and his house guests flee from the building. Charleville House to the south of Enniskerry, which also features in 'The Blue Max'.

Pat Cleary returned to Charleville House on a much clearer and brighter day adding that the magnificent gardens are open to the public on selected dates throughout the year as well as the house occasionally.

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Following Jack's capture, Jonathan Wild (Stanley Baker) looks on as the rogue eats his final breakfast.

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With a bell tolling and an Artist sketching the doomed prisoner, Jack takes his time enjoying a boiled egg.

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Austin (Liam Sweeney) and the Proprietor (John Kelly) watch over the condemned man as he finishes his meal.

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When the gates of the prison are opened, Reverend Wagstaff (Eddie Byrne) waits for Jack to mount the cart for the journey to the gallows. Glencree in County Wicklow. From 1858 the barracks was occupied by St. Kevin's Reformatory until closure in 1940.

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The cheers that erupted when Jack appeared continue as the cart trundles towards Tyburn Square. German POWs were held at Glencree during the First World War while in the Second World War, German Air Force pilots who had crashed in Ireland were imprisoned.

  • Capture 14
  • 02 Aug 2024

Jack waves at the Crowd as his transportation approaches the "three-legged mare". Across the top of the scene stands Glencree Barracks buildings where, from 1945 to 1950, Irish Red Cross and the French Sisters of Charity cared for German and Polish war orphans.

Pat Cleary took this view of one of the remaining barracks buildings in the right background. The spires in the distance of the screen capture are all fake as this location is out in the Wicklow Mountains. Much demolition and rebuilding has taken place and this is now the Glencree Peace and Reconciliation Centre formed in 1974 during the Northern Ireland conflict known as "The Troubles".

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After Blueskin and Leatherchest cut Jack down from the gallows, he’s carried to the Surgeon's house by Hogarth (Michael Elphick) and another Man.

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When a Captain of the Army prevents him from claiming Jack's body, Jonathan Wild walks across the deserted square to the gallows. The grounds of Glencree Barracks in County Wicklow which, since 1975, has been the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.