Kent and East Sussex Railway

Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies (2016)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Richard E. Grant standing in front of a white background, writing says Richard E Grant on...Ealing Comedies

Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies © UKTV

Production Company: Phil MacIntyre TV

Kent Locations Used: Kent and East Sussex Railway Tenterden Station, Leeds Castle

Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies is a three part series exploring the history of Ealing Studios and the iconic films that were made there including the silent films made at the turn of the 20th century, music hall comedies of the 1930’s and the 1940’s film that started the phrase ‘an Ealing comedy’ – Passport to Pimlico.

Throughout the series, Richard is joined by special guests including Jonathan Ross, Michael Palin, Mike Leigh, Peter Capaldi and Carrie Fisher.

Richard E. Grant on the Kent and East Sussex Railway leaning through the window of a stream train with the driver

Richard E. Grant on the Kent and East Sussex Railway © Kent and East Sussex Railway

In April 2016, the Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies team visited Kent and East Sussex Railway Tenterden Station and Leeds Castle which was used as a film location for Ealing Comedy film Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949).

Kent & East Sussex Railway is a ten and a half mile rural light railway from Tenterden to East Sussex. Kent & East Sussex Railway has previously featured in film and TV productions including Mapp and Lucia (2014) and Last Passenger (2013).

Near to the county town of Kent is the stunning Leeds Castle. Sitting on a 500 acre estate, this location boasts period rooms, beautiful gardens, a moat, woodlands, maze with shell grotto and an aviary. The castle has previously been used as a film location for Rustom (2016), The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses (2016), and Lady Jane (1987).

Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies airs on GOLD (Sky 110, Virgin 124, BT 310) from Sunday 18th September 2016 at 19:00.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

 

Jude (1996)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Jude film poster- faint image of Kate Winslet and Christopher Eccleston's faces as a backdrop- underneath the two characters are dancing the the sand. JUDE written in yellow

Jude film poster © BBC Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Revolution Films

Director: Michael Winterbottom

Writer: Hossein Amini (screenplay), Thomas Hardy (novel)

Starring: Christopher Eccleston, Kate Winslet, Liam Cunningham, Rachel Griffiths

Production Company: BBC Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Revolution Films

Kent Locations Used: Kent and East Sussex Railway

Jude is a 1996 British period drama film about a self-educated stonemason who enters into an illicit affair with his cousin, despite them both being married to other partners. The pair is condemned to the margins of society which results in a horrific tragedy.

Michael Winterbottom (24 Hour Party People, Code 46) directs the film which is adapted by Hossein Amini (Drive, Snow White and the Huntsman) based on Thomas Hardy’s novel “Jude the Obscure”.

Jude stars Christopher Eccleston (Fortitude, Doctor Who), Kate Winslet (Titanic, Divergent), Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones, Safe House) and Rachel Griffiths (Blow, Saving, Mr. Banks).

Jude (Christopher Eccleston) and Sue (Kate Winslet) on the train. Sue has her head on Jude's shoulder.

Jude (Christopher Eccleston) and Sue (Kate Winslet) on the train © BBC Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Revolution Films

Jude filmed at Kent and East Sussex Railway where they filmed scenes of Jude (Christopher Eccleston) and Sue (Kate Winslet) on a train which was intercut with scenery from the North of England.

Kent & East Sussex Railway is a ten and a half mile rural light period railway which runs between Tenterden and East Sussex. The railway has also been used for filming by productions such as Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies (2016) and Last Passenger (2013).

Jude was released in October 1996 and is now available for DVD purchase.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Cold Comfort Farm (1995)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Cold Comfort Farm poster- 6 characters standing facing the camera in a frame. Cold Comfort Farm is written in white on top

Cold Comfort Farm poster © BBC, Thames Television

Director: John Schlesinger

Writer: Malcolm Bradbury (screenplay), Stella Gibbons (novel)

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Eileen Atkins, Sheila Burrell, Stephen Fry, Freddie Jones, Joanna Lumley, Ian McKellen

Production Company: BBC, Thames Television

Kent Locations Used: Kent and East Sussex Railway, Royal Military Canal

Cold Comfort Farm is a BBC adaption of Stella Gibbons’ novel of the same name. Set in early 1930’s England, the story focuses on young Flora Poste (Kate Beckinsale) who is left penniless when her parents die and goes to stay with distant relatives on Cold Comfort Farm. Flora makes it her mission to improve the lives of the miserable inhabitants.

The TV movie parodies the romanticised, sometimes doom-laden accounts of rural life and is directed John Schlesinger (Marathon Man, The Next Best Thing) and written by Malcolm Bradbury (The Gravy Train, In the Red).

Kate Beckinsale (The Aviator, Underworld) takes the leading role of Flora alongside Eileen Atkins (Cold Mountain, Robin Hood), Sheila Burrell (Jane Eyre, Perfect Strangers), Stephen Fry (Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows), Freddie Jones (The Elephant Man, Dune), Joanna Lumley (Corpse Bride, Absolutely Fabulous) and Ian McKellen (The Hobbit Series, Vicious).

The production filmed on location in Kent at Kent & East Sussex Railway which provided the trains for Flora’s journey from London to her relatives at Cold Comfort Farm and Northiam station which is the fictional railway station of Beershorne.

The Royal Military Canal was also used for scenes where Flora and Amos (Ian McKellen) walk and chat.

Kent & East Sussex Railway is a ten and a half mile rural light period railway which runs between Tenterden and East Sussex. The railway has also been used for filming by productions such as Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies (2016) and Last Passenger (2013).

The Royal Military Canal runs for 28 miles between Seabrook near Folkestone and end at Cliff End near Hastings. The canal passes the iconic Romney Marsh, tranquil countryside and quiet villages and has a footpath for the entire stretch.

Cold Comfort Farm was broadcast on 1 January 1995 and is now available for DVD purchase.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Moon and Son (1992)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Civic Centre, Folkestone- concrete building with cast members being filmed by a crew in front of the building

Behind the scenes, Moon and Son at Civic Centre, Folkestone © Shepway District Council

Creator: Robert Banks Stewart
Directors: Ken Grieve, Robert Tronson, Paul Harrison, Roger Tucker
Writers: Michael Aitkens, Leslie Darbon
Cast: Millicent Martin, John Michie, Laure Killing, Ian Redford, Patrick Drury, John Fitzgerald Jay
Production Company: BBC
Kent locations Used: Folkestone, Kent and East Sussex Railway, Oare Marshes, Chilham Castle, Crabble Corn Mill, Deal, Folkestone Harbour, Dungeness Estate, The Grand Hotel in Folkestone, The Leas Cliff Hall and The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

Moon and Son (1992) is a 13-episode BBC series created by Robert Banks Stewart (Darling Buds of May (1991-1993), Doctor Who), which follows a professional fortune teller, Gladys Moon (Millicent Martin), and her son Trevor (John Michie) as they solve a multitude of mysteries.

The series stars Millicent Martin (Days of Our Lives, Grace and Frankie), John Michie (Coronation Street, Holby City), Laure Killing (Paris Criminal Investigations, Nouvelle Vague), Ian Redford (The Remains of the Day, Coronation Street), Patrick Drury (The Crown (2016-2020), Father Ted) and John Fitzgerald Jay (Roujin Z, Reign).

The production filmed at a variety of locations in Kent and in Nord-Pas-De-Calais across the Channel. Folkestone is the main UK setting and hometown of the Moons. Folkestone Harbour is also used frequently as the Moons travel between Folkestone and Boulogne. The Folkestone area has been used for previous productions including The Tunnel (2013) and Everyone’s Going to Die (2013).

Wittersham Road Station, which is part of Kent and East Sussex Railway, features as a hideout in Episode Two. It is a versatile historic railway that boasts an extensive list of production credits including Mapp and Lucia (2014) and Last Passenger (2013).

The Oare Marshes appear as the location for Mr Marsh’s (Gregory Floy) business in Episode Two and again as the quarry lake where his body is discovered. The Oare Marshes is a reserve consisting of one the few grazing marshes left in Kent. Other productions to have filmed there are A Taste of Britain (2014), Channel 4’s Southcliffe (2013) and Great Expectations (2012).

Chilham Castle, a historic building set in the Tudor village of Chilham features as Lady Doddington’s Estate in Episode Nine of the series. The village of Chilham has welcomed other productions including BBC’s Emma (2009), Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2006) and Dempsey and Makepeace ‘Cry God for Harry’ (1985).

Crabble Corn Mill also features in Episode Nine as Denham’s Auction House. Recognised as one of Dover’s hidden treasures, Crabble Corn Mill is one of the most complete working Georgian watermills. Dover has often been seen on screen, in particular Dover Castle, in productions such as The Apprentice (2015), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

The Old Boatmen’s Room on Deal’s Marina doubled as Basil’s Chapel in Episode Ten. Deal boasts a stunning seafront and pier, as well as two Tudor castles and a thriving high street. Other productions to have filmed in Deal include Legacy (2013) and Ruby Blue (2007).

Other locations that appear in Moon and Son include the palm court at Folkestone’s The Grand, which features frequently as Gladys’ preferred haunt for tea. Additionally, The Leas Cliff Hall is home to the final showdown of Episode Two and The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway features in Episode Twelve as the location of hidden diamonds.

Moon and Son aired in 1992.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

The Loves of Joanna Godden (1947)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Joanna Godden (Googie Withers) and Arthur Alce (John McCallum) stood next to each other in front of a tree

Joanna Godden (Googie Withers) and Arthur Alce (John McCallum) © Ealing Studios

Director: Charles Frend, Robert Hamer
Starring: Googie Withers, Jean Kent, John McCallum, Derek Bond, Henry Mollison, Chips Rafferty, Sonia Holm
Production Company: Ealing Studios
Kent Locations Used: Romney Marsh, St Clements Church, Dungeness beach, The New Inn, The Woolpack Inn

The Loves of Joanna Godden (1947) tells the story of Joanna Godden (Googie Withers) who inherits Little Baynham Sheep Farm after the death of her father and decides to defy tradition and run the farm herself. However, her resilient dedication to make the farm a success as well as stubbornness to accept help means she risks losing the man she truly loves.

Joanna Godden (Googie Withers) and Martin (Derek Bond) talking on Dungeness beach with the lighthouse behind

Joanna Godden (Googie Withers) and Martin (Derek Bond) on Dungeness beach © Ealing Studios

Starring Googie Withers (One of Our Aircraft is Missing, The Lady Vanishes), Jean Kent (Sleeping Car to Trieste, Caravan), John McCallum (Trent’s Last Case, Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951)), Derek Bond (Scott of the Antarctic, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby), Henry Mollison (Whisky Galore, Drake of England), Chips Rafferty (Wake in Fright, Mutiny on the Bounty), and Sonia Holm (The Bad Lord Byron, Miranda).

A historical British drama largely filmed on location on the idyllic Romney Marsh. The Marsh covers an area of 100 square miles and is one of three great coastal marshlands of Southern England. Dungeness features as the setting for the romantic scenes where Joanna and her fiancé Martin (Derek Bond) take a trip to the beach. Romney Marsh and Dungeness have since welcomed productions such as Parades End (2012) and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries – Natural Causes (2006).

St Clement’s Church in Old Romney features in the film as the local church where a Christmas carol service is held for the villagers. It is one of the oldest churches in Kent, constructed in the 12th century. The same church later doubled as Dr Syn’s Dymchurch parish in Walt Disney’s production of Dr Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1964).

The No.3 train was hired out by the production team from the Kent and East Sussex Railway for the scene at Lydd Town Station, where Joanna greets her sister.  The train was disguised with plates reading ‘SE&CR’. Kent and East Sussex Railway has also featured in Last Passenger (2013).

Other Kent Locations include The New Inn, a grade II listed pub situated on New Romney High Street and The Woolpack Inn, a 600 year old Inn located in the heart of the marsh.

The Loves of Joanna Godden (1947) first premiered on Monday 9th June 1947 and is now available to buy on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.