ADOLF HITLER – MY PART IN HIS DOWNFALL

GB
1972
1hr 42mins
Dir: Norman Cohen
Starring: Arthur Lowe and Jim Dale

Dramatisation of Spike Milligan’s experiences as a World War II recruit

This film adaptation of the first volume of Spike Milligan’s autobiography has a closing scene featuring Horsted Keynes station on the Bluebell Railway. Ex-GWR ‘Dukedog’ 4-4-0 No.3217 is hauling the train, formed of two vintage Southern railway coaches and a PMV. The film concludes with an excellent run by of the train from a bridge at Holywell.

Troops congregate at Horsted Keynes station in 1971. The elevation given to this shot gives us an excellent view of the station buildings and the rolling hills beyond.
‘Dukedog’ 4-4-0 No.3217 draws slowly into platform 1 with the expectant troops eager to board
This excellent study of Earl of Berkeley shows that the GWR brand has been removed from its tender
The train is followed as it departs, with troops waving from every window. The rear vehicle is a PMV (Parcels and Miscellaneous Van).
Bill Maynard waves goodbye to ‘his’ troops at Horsted Keynes station
No.3217 steams towards the bridge at Holywell with its train full of troops
The final shot shows the train steaming off into the distance