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GB 1972 1hr 33mins Dir: Douglas Hickox Starring: Oliver Reed and Jill St John
A convicted killer escapes from jail and plans to take revenge on his wife, who has fallen pregnant from another man
This crime drama includes some really good shots overlooking the lines in and around Clapham Junction. Many are filmed from the adjacent tower blocks, but there are some from ground level. 2 and 4-car EPB EMU’s, older 4 SUB’s, and 4 VEP high-density express units are all captured. Look closely in the background of one gripping scene filmed on the balcony of a flat and a pair of Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives and an 08 diesel shunter are briefly glimpsed. In addition to these shots, there is a scene with Ian McShane and Oliver Reed onboard a 4 VEP unit. At one point the view out of the window shows Wimbledon depot, whilst Oliver Reed alights at Clapham Junction’s platform 7. This is the genuine article, and not back-projection. The final scenes take place in the yards around Battersea and Stewarts Lane, within the shadows of Battersea Power Station. Plenty of wagons and parcels vans are visible in the yards, with 4 CIG express EMU’s passing on the viaducts behind in some shots. The film was based on the 1970 novel of the same name by Laurence Henderson.
The opening shot glives an aerial view of a pair of Class 423 4 VEP EMU’s working a service to London Victoria on what is today, the Up Brighton Slow. The tracks in the lower left foreground form part of the Ludgate Curve, connecting Longhedge Junction with Latchmere Junction, whilst the tracks passing beneath the viaduct to the right are the main lines into and out of Waterloo.
Oliver Reed and Ian McShane onboard a 4 VEP as it passes Wimbledon depot, home to at least two vintage 4 SUB EMU’s
An expansive view overlooking the carriage sidings adjacent to the Putney and Richmond lines to the west of Clapham Junction. EPB EMU’s are present, along with much else. A similar shot appeared in the opening of The Asphyx (qv).
Oliver Reed leaves the train at Clapham Junction. This is platform 7 looking east. In a good piece of continuity the unit is the same in which he was sat, a 4 VEP.
As passengers climb the stairs a 4 SUB EMU passes through the platform on the left
This wonderful shot full of light and shade shows the footbridge at Clapham Junction, hardly very busy at all. Note the lone luggage trolley lying abandoned.
This very unusual view shows the northern entrance to Clapham Junction off Grant Road. It is the first time I have ever seen it!
Commuter trains glint in the morning sun. That in the foreground is formed of 2 EPB stock, whilst that behind is formed of similar such units.
In the background to this shot filmed from the balcony of a flat in Sporle Court, a pair of Class 73’s and a Class 08 are visible, though pretty much everything else is a blur
Artifully viewed through an old bufferstop in a yard somwhere around Battersea, a pair of 4 CIG (or similar) EMU’s pass over the viaduct arches
The final chase scene ends here, and a whole myriad of freight stock is present including an old motor rail loading ramp in the centre foreground
As the Hillman Avenger burns, the police look on helplessly. Notable here is the old carriage behind in departmental red, probably a breakdown train vehicle of some description.
