Winston Churchill

Secrets of Great British Castles (2016)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Dan Jones standing in front of the water at Leeds Castle with the castle in the background.

Dan Jones at Leeds Castle © Sideline and Channel 5

Production Company: Sideline

Kent Locations Used:  Leeds Castle

Secrets of Great British Castles returns for a second series, where historian Dan Jones explores the turbulent history behind Britain’s castles. Exploring the secrets behind the castles, Dan uncovers stories of intrigue, drama, romance, rebellion, and murder.

Between May and June 2016, the production team filmed at Leeds Castle where Dan Jones delves into its history, seen and unseen, such as the hidden 13th Century bathhouse built for Edward I. For the first time visitors will be able to hear about top secret letters between Winston Churchill and Geoffrey Lloyd, Minister in charge of the Secret Petroleum Warfare Department, detailing fascinating World War II plans that had their inception at Leeds Castle.

Set in the outskirts of the county town of Kent, Maidstone is the beautiful Leeds Castle which is set over 500 acres and boasts stunning period rooms, gardens, a moat, woodlands, maze with shell grotto and an aviary boasts medieval themed rooms. Leeds Castle has previously been used as a film location by film The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses (2016), Gadget Man (2014) and Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949).

The Leeds Castle episode of Secrets of Great British Castles airs on Channel 5 at 20:00 on Friday 25th November 2016.

 

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

The Gathering Storm (2002)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Two actors staring at each other through an open door frame

The Gathering Storm © HBO Films and BBC Films

Director: Richard Loncraine

Starring: Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave, Jim Broadbent, Ronnie Barker, Hugh Bonneville, Tom Hiddleston

Production Company: HBO Films, BBC Films, Scott Free Productions

Kent Locations: Chartwell, Westerham

The Gathering Storm is a BBC-HBO co-produced film for TV about Winston Churchill in the years leading up to World War II. It’s emphasis is on the relationship between Winston and his wife Clementine, their financial problems and his struggle as an isolated backbench MP when warning Parliament about the coming of a second major war.

Chartwell House - red brick large house surrounded by greenery

Chartwell House © National Trust

Albert Finney (The Bourne Ultimatum, Erin Brockovich) plays Churchill and won a host of awards for his performance including a Golden Globe, Emmy and BAFTA.

Starring alongside Albert Finney are Vanessa Redgrave (Call the Midwife, Deep Impact), Jim Broadbent (Gangs of New York, Cloud Atlas), Ronnie Barker (Open All Hours, Porridge), Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, The Monuments Men) and Tom Hiddleston (Thor, War Horse).

Chartwell was the real life Churchill family home from 1924 until Winston Churchill’s death in 1965 and was therefore chosen by the production to feature in The Gathering Storm as his house and grounds.

Chartwell is a National Trust property in Westerham set in delightful gardens. The rooms remain much as they were when Churchill lived there. Other National Trust locations in Kent which have been used for filming include Scotney Castle which was used for BBC drama Hunted (2012), Knole House featured in The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and The White Cliffs of Dover appeared in On a Clear Day (2005).

The Gathering Storm was shown in 2002 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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