Kind Hearts and Coronets film locations

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. 

 

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Kind Hearts and Coronets poster- two ladies wearing extravagant hats, with a man behind bars behind them. Kind Hearts and Coronets is written on a poster behind them

Kind Hearts and Coronets © Eagle-Lion Films

Director / Writer: Robert Hamer
Starring: Dennis Price, Alec Guinness, Valerie Hobson, Joan Greenwood, Hugh Griffith
Production Company: Ealing Studios, Michael Balcon Productions
Kent Locations: Leeds Castle, Harrietsham, Boughton Monchelsea

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) is based on the novel ‘Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal’ by Roy Horniman which tells the story of Louis Mazzini, an aristocrat descendent  who sets out to murder eight D’Ascoynes family heirs in order to become the Duke.

The film has become a timeless classic, being regarded as one of best British films of all time. It has been included in both Time magazine and the BFI top 100 British films of all time.

Eight of the D’Ascoynes are played by the legendary Alec Guiness (The Bridge on the River Kwai, Star Wars) who are one by one murdered in a variety of ways from poisoning to drowning and even exploding.

Leeds Castle doubled as Chalfont Castle, the D’Ascoynes family home. Located on the outskirts of Maidstone, Leeds Castle was built as a Norman stronghold and became the home of royalty, including Henry VIII when he visited Kent. Surrounded by a mote and 500 acres of gardens, the Castle became a monument to the Tudor era and a popular tourist destination. It has also been used for productions such as Lady Jane (1987).

The film also shot outside The Cock Inn pub in Boughton Monchelsea village for the scene where Louis (Dennis Price (The Earth Dies Screaming, The Rebel) takes photos and meets Henry (Alec Guinness). The village is on the outskirts of Maidstone and contains an array of urban and rural land and historic features including a church built in 1100 and a 16th century manor house.

Harrietsham village was also used for the scene where Louis (Dennis Price) rides around the village. Harrietsham is a  rural village to the east of Maidstone and  has many Grade I listed buildings including The Old House and Saxon Church of St John the Baptist.  

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) was released on Monday 13th June 1949 and is now available on DVD.

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