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View Full Version : Alfie, Michael Caine and the Brixton connection

editor
05-12-2005, 21:21
Not a lot of people know this, but two short scenes from the fab 1966 hit film 'Alfie' were shot in Brixton.

Thanks to the generosity of the urban75 board massive, I was able to get a DVD of the film, grab some stills, print them out and scuttle out on the streets to photograph the same scenes, forty years on.

And here's the results:
Alfie in Atlantic Road (http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/atlantic6.html)
Michael Caine in Station Road (http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/station6.html)
Pickman's model
05-12-2005, 21:23
i knew that. :o
Pickman's model
05-12-2005, 21:24
it looks better without the plastick bollards.
lang rabbie
05-12-2005, 22:59
Credit where credit's due - the nice folks from Reelstreets got there earlier (http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=127477&highlight=Alfie)
editor
05-12-2005, 23:02
Credit where credit's due - the nice folks from Reelstreets got there earlier (http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=127477&highlight=Alfie)Pah! The angle's are all wrong and it's in blurry black and white!

I don't think I saw that thread, btw, although I like the site. It's great!
Leica
05-12-2005, 23:02
Well done, that's a very good idea. I tried to do something similar with Hell Is A City.
zenie
06-12-2005, 08:37
That bridge looked lush before - why do they have to change things? :(
editor
06-12-2005, 09:16
That bridge looked lush before - why do they have to change things? :(Looking at the delicate structure, I guess it may have been because the older bridge wasn't able to take the heavier loads of modern trains? Or maybe it just needed replacement through wear and tear?

But you're right. The modern bridge is ugly as fuck.
William of Walworth
06-12-2005, 21:07
Brixton would be familiar to Caine - he grew up in 14 Urlwin St, Camberwell

... he was even more familiar with Walworth then, Urlwin Street is only technically (postcode wise) in Camberwell ; in terms of walking distance, it's far closer to Walworth Road than Camberwell Green....

Good pics and comparisons with now, though :)
corporate whore
07-12-2005, 14:06
Reelstreets is a good site. Doesn't answer my burning film question, though.

Bob Hoskins heads down to Brixton in The Long Good Friday - to see Errol The Ponce! - and has a sly smirk as a group of scallywags offer to 'look after yer car, mister' in a tree-lined street that could be Josephine Avenue.

Anyone know if it was filmed in Brixton?
Donna Ferentes
07-12-2005, 14:12
A bit too straight to be Josephine Avenue, surely?
corporate whore
07-12-2005, 14:13
Yeah, you're right. I was confused by the trees..

I just can't picture where it is..
potential
08-12-2005, 23:56
www.reelstreets isnt exactly comprehensive ?
is there another film location web site that
any of you lot know about ??
would be much appreciated...
lang rabbie
09-12-2005, 10:00
www.reelstreets isnt exactly comprehensive ?

http://www.reelstreets.com/ :p
mod
09-12-2005, 16:45
Excellent. Nice one mate.
Bob
14-12-2005, 13:36
OOh look - Passport to Pimlico was filmed just off Lambeth bridge road (http://www.reelstreets.com/passport_pimlico.htm)
brixtonvilla
14-12-2005, 18:48
On the subject of "The Long Good Friday", I've checked the DVD & it's inconclusive. I reckon the tree-lined street Harold & the boys roll up in is Dulwich Road, by Brockwell Park. It's straight, tree-lined & you can see the block of flats in the background. But then there's a Victorian church tower in the background & all...

"Used to be a nice street, this. Decent families. No scum."

Edit: just watched it again. Not a fucking clue, tbh.
lang rabbie
15-12-2005, 07:47
On the subject of "The Long Good Friday", I've checked the DVD & it's inconclusive. I reckon the tree-lined street Harold & the boys roll up in is Dulwich Road, by Brockwell Park. It's straight, tree-lined & you can see the block of flats in the background. But then there's a Victorian church tower in the background & all...

Well that's my Boxing Day sorted then - collection of London themed DVDs on the telly while thumbing through Observer's Book of Demolished Victorian Churches ;)
brixtonvilla
15-12-2005, 10:28
And I thought I was being geeky by getting the dvd down off the shelf... let us know what you find, woncha? ;)
corporate whore
15-12-2005, 14:57
Yeah, me too.. ;)
brixtonvilla
17-12-2005, 22:10
I think the church in the background is the one on Brixton, by Max Roach Park/Villa Road. Went past it today...