It’s The Daily Constitutional Film Festival. And it’s programmed by London Walks Guides and London Walkers. Which is the greatest London movie of them all? The best performance in a London-set film? Your favorite London movie location?
As usual, we want to hear from you – send us your favorite London movie nominations to the usual email address, get in touch with us on Twitter @londonwalks or leave a comment at the bottom of this post.
LW’s movie expert Richard IV brings us…
No.9: The First Great Train Robbery (1978)
Perhaps the best recreation of 1850s London ever seen. Michael Crichton wrote the book and directed the film: he’d really done his period research, and it shows. Sean Connery as the mastermind of a daring gold robbery, assisted by cracksman Donald Sutherland beneath a magnificent set of whiskers, and Lesley-Anne Down as a mistress of disguise. A joyous supporting cast includes Robert Lang as a dogged Scotland-Yarder, Malcolm Terris as a lecherous bank official, and Wayne Sleep as a cat burglar. Connery does all his own stunts on the train. A particular gem is the recreation of an escape from Newgate Prison during a public hanging: the crowds are shown in all their variety, from the mob around the scaffold to the gentry having a meal in a nearby pub (presumably the ‘Magpie and Stump’). From the opulent hall of the ‘Huddlestone & Bradford Bank’, through a mansion in Berkeley Square, to London Bridge Station, the slums of the East End and a firework display at the Crystal Palace just after its move to Sydenham, the film’s amazing look is in large part due to the work of master cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth (on one of his last jobs: ‘His friends miss him’ as the end credits note). Yes, a near-perfect London film, but don’t scratch your heads over identifying the locations as it was all filmed in Ireland! Richard IV
Richard IV is an actor, swordsman and an expert on early detective fiction. Velvety voiced and perfect timing, he makes for some awfully handsome listening! No surprise to learn that he's narrated numerous documentaries and audiobooks.
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Forthcoming Film Walks with London Walks… Alfred Hitchcock's London on September 22, from Holborn underground, both at 10.45; and London on Film on August 25, Bank underground exit 3 at 10.45.
You can also book a private London Film Locations walk by calling London Walks on 020 7624 3978 or emailing [email protected].
A London Walk costs £9 – £7 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.
