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Post by Sam Tyler on Feb 18, 2016 23:39:26 GMT
I sat and watched this for the first time in about ten years last weekend and am still taken by what an excellent film it is.
With Bob Hoskins in the lead as Harry Shand and Helen Mirren as Victoria, the film was recorded in 1979 but not released until 1980 (or 1982 depending on which review you read), and follows Harry as he tries to close a deal with the yanks for the redevelopment of the derelict London Docklands.
Thanks to members of his team lousing up a deal with the Irish while he was away on business, the IRA lay the blame on Harry and start setting off bombs around Harry's premises while he's trying to entertain and close the deal with the yanks.
The film includes a wealth of famous names today that were in their early if not very first, film roles. Names such as Pierce Brosnan, Bryan Marshall, Derek Thompson, Kevin McNally, Karl Howman, Brian Hall, Alan Ford, Gillian Taylforth, James Ottaway (Uncle Billy in Messenger Of The Gods) and even 'Aitch' making a fleeting appearance as a copper.
As the deal is for the Docklands redevelopment many of the locations are set around the London docks as well as his Casino, his restaurant, and locations around Tower Bridge. Consequently I've spent a number of evenings this week scouring the web for old photos to confirm some of the locations, one of the docklands locations was particularly elusive but the perseverance has paid off.
I will work on doing some Then And Now pics but thought I'd start the thread off with this intro.
Truly a classic film that I fully recommend to all members.
Sam.
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The Saint
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Post by The Saint on Feb 19, 2016 8:59:19 GMT
Look forward to seeing your then and now photos Sam The Saint
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Vienna
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Post by Vienna on Feb 19, 2016 19:56:30 GMT
Yes, a classic from HandMade Films. As you say above, it was actually filmed in the summer of 1979, just a few weeks after Margaret Thatcher had come to power, but not released until the early 1980s. This is Bob Hoskins at his best, playing Harry Shand, a ruthless gangster who's aspiring to become a legitimate businessman.
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Post by Charles Bronson on Feb 20, 2016 15:51:06 GMT
Looking forward to seeing the photos Sam. I haven't seen this film for years myself. As I remember it was one of the first videos we rented out after we bought our first video player in the eighties. I will have to try and get hold of it for another viewing, for one thing it would be interesting to see some of the faces who became a lot more famous later on.
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Post by John Steed on Feb 20, 2016 23:15:50 GMT
I bought The Long Good Friday DVD off E-Bay and watched it about a month ago. A very good film which only cost me about £4 including postage!
Steed
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Post by Sam Tyler on Feb 23, 2016 15:02:35 GMT
The first locations I'm posting here were the two that were most difficult to confirm.
Harry Shand stated that the Roller was over at King George V dock but I had some doubts. As it turned out it was half true.
The two 'THEN' locations are:
and
Working on simple logic (warehouse one side of the road and cranes on the other) I guessed that the first picture is in the central wharf between King George V dock and the Royal Albert Dock. The Roller is inside a warehouse on the side of the Royal Albert Dock, and Harry's stroll along the dock for the second picture is also Royal Albert Dock. This was confirmed when I finally found the following picture after a lot of searching on Google:
The Jag is seen driving down the central wharf (towards the 'p' in the picture) and Harry walks up the dockside (from the 'c' in the picture).
Although it would be nice to be able to get 'NOW' pictures, this will not be possible as the central wharf is now the runway for London City Airport for which a similar view to the above now is as follows:
And what is interesting from the last picture is that the old central wharf on which the runway is built still shows railway tracks along the edges of the wharf, and the dock walls of the filled-in dry docks still evident.
Sam.
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Post by Steve Austin on Feb 23, 2016 16:06:02 GMT
Good work there DI Tyler, I do like a Then/Now I will have to give this film a watch too, thanks for the post.
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Villain
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Post by Villain on Feb 23, 2016 17:17:44 GMT
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Post by Gene Hunt on Feb 23, 2016 18:02:35 GMT
Great photo's lads. Keep 'em coming
The George & Albert docks have seen massive redevelopment over the years haven't they. Is the Alamy photo dated ? Gene.
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Post by Ronnie Kray on Feb 23, 2016 18:47:30 GMT
Great photo's indeed,looking forward to seeing some then and now pics.Well done Sam and Villain
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