DARLING LILI

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US
1970
2hrs 16mins
Dir: Blake Edwards
Starring: Julie Andrews and Jeremy Kemp

During the First World War, an American pilot falls for a female spy

This elaborately mounted, WW1 musical, features an exhilarating railway scene towards the end that was filmed in Ireland, and in very unusual circumstances. In one of the oddest cinematic set-ups ever, preserved J15 Class 0-6-0 No.184 and a rake of historic rolling stock was used by the film makers under the pretence that any old Irish train resembles that of one in Continental mainland Europe! What was unusual is that the J15 was not steam worthy at the time, so a Metro-Vick 001 Class diesel No.A16 was borrowed from CIE, disguised as a baggage car, and tucked between the tender of the J15 and its train. The Metro-Vick provided the power, and the J15 provided the smoke effects. Perhaps equally surprising was the fact that this scenario worked pretty effectively. The sequence involves the train coming under attack from German aircraft and these scenes were filmed around Beauparc on the Drogheda-Navan freight only line that had closed to passengers in 1958. The Metro-Vick apparently worked regular links while carrying its disguise, including the 5.07pm Dublin to Bray suburban train on one occasion! The train is strafed by enemy fire and despite the historical inaccuracy of the ‘string back’ aircraft it is a well constructed scene. Even more elaborate was the initial railway station departure scene which saw the Palais de Justice in Brussels doubling as an Irish station with Jeremy Kemp chasing Julie Andrews through crowds of extras to a mock-up train in the platform, a scene that cost $100,000 to create. Even more difficult to comprehend when one sees that Dublin Pearse station was actually used in one shot for a real live departure!

Crowds flock towards a train in this opening railway scene. The ‘station’ complete with horse was in fact the Palais de Justice in Brussels and the train was a stage set mock-up.
The scene was then followed by this departure, filmed using the real thing at Dublin Pearse station
Preserved J15 0-6-0 No.184 stands at Dublin Pearse. Its appearance is altogether rather odd. It looks to have been painted all over brown and its cabside numberplate has been covered over.
Steaming through the night. Well, not really. The J15 is non-operational, a fact given away by the smoke coming from the safety valve and not the funnel!!
A fine daytime run-by of the train. In this shot there is a faint trace of smoke coming from the funnel.
This excellent closeup of No.184 shows to good effect the weathered livery given to it for filming. Now there is smoke from the funnel only, and not the safety valves!!
The crew abandon their loco having come under enemy attack from above. Remember, the baggage van immediately behind the steam engine is in fact a heavily-disguised diesel locomotive. The cab profile and bodyside grill give away its true origins but this is as close a view we get.
Now it is time for the passengers to bail out. Note the bullet holes in the side of the carriage.
Soldiers travelling onboard attempt to protect the train as an enemy fighter passes overhead
The aftermath of the attack and the train stands battered and bruised. The Metro-Vick diesel is on the far right.