Heads up today again, The One That Got Away, More4, 4:15

I’ve been trying to find out exactly when Grizedale Hall was demolished without success, I do have books on the subject but it’s too cold to root around the boxes in the garage to find them.
Last year I visited the newly restored Carnforth station to see the famous clock and refreshment room as featured in ‘Close Encounter’ and worth seeing to. There is a rumour that following his escape from Grizedale, Von Werra called in at this station for something to eat, but it is thought unlikely and that his only ‘close encounter’ with Carnforth was passing through on the way to Derby.
When I was a kid and Codnor Park station was closed and derelict, some of the old station signs remained in situ, we had a go at removing one of these with a hacksaw, but failed miserably, I wonder what happened to it.
My brother lives just down the road from Ripley and we did once find the Swanwick camp and have a wander around the outside, it always seemed an unlikely spot for a POW camp.
I noticed that in the scene where Von Werra was attempting to get to the Hurricane, there was another example in the hangar behind him or would this have been clever use of the same one.
Well, it’s a very pleasant day, I keep looking out of the window expecting the Spitfires to come over any moment on their way to Southampton.

…the Grizedale Hall scenes were filmed at all the actual locations…

They must have just been in time! You can visit Grizedale Hall site now, but the house has been demolished (IIRC 50s or 60s – obviously after the film) and it’s now in the centre of a range of art installations in a Forestry Plantation. The house site is a lawn, in front of which is the balustrades of the gardens, and a field. That’s it… Great place to visit in the lake District.

Grizedale means valley of the wild boar, while we are Anorak allert…

Did anyone notice the chipmunk on the ground as von werra was driven around the airfield

IIRC, he was last seen by a fellow German pilot, diving in his damaged aircraft towards the English Channel.

Nope….he returned from Canada (via Brazil I think) to fly with the Luftwaffe, but disapeared on a fighter sortie during 1944 (I think) and was never seen again……… 🙁

Regards,
Keith

What happened to Von Werra? Did he survive the war and live to a ripe old age?

CS

Pete, its great that More 4 are showing these films. I think the reason for showing them in the afternoons (as do the BBC and Channel 4 ) is that they expect these films to gain more viewing figures at this particular time of day. This is probably true, but this kind of scheduling, often done by the BBC and Channel 4 with any film over 40 years old, only encourages the myth that all younger people don’t or wouldn’t like to appreciate films of this era.

I’m doing a radio interview in late March with the BBC. The researcher who chatted with me in advance seemed flabbergasted by my interest in history and the fact that my favourite radio stations were BBC3 and BBC4. If these interests are seen as the preserve of an older generation then we really should worry.

Best Regards, Steve

For what it’s worth, in respect of ‘The One That Got Away’, the 1st crash scenes were filmed in a field next to the studio’s at Iver, Bucks, and the Me109 was a replica made from original plans sent from Germany, the Grizedale Hall scenes were filmed at all the actual locations. The scenes for the Swanwick escape were all filmed in Studio, but for those who must, the authorities at Swanwick are quite happy for interested persons to visit the conference centre by prior appointment for a look around. (Although they are getting fewer, a quick talk to locals will probably still find you some ex-German POW’s who stayed in the area having married local girls, and they are willing to speak of their times at Swanwick as prisoners). The Codnor Park Station scenes were filmed at Gerrards Cross Station, and the ‘Hucknall’ scenes were actually filmed at RAF Northolt. As a mere strip of a lad, living near Hucknall, I had a neighbour who worked at Rolls-Royce throughout the war years, and remembered the Von Werra incident very clearly, and I was priviledged to be taken by him onto the airfield and during the visit he showed me the visitors book which Von Werra had signed. Sadly the book vanished around about the time Rolls-Royce went bust, and has not been seen since. 😡

The ‘Canadian’ scenes were filmed around 200 Miles north of Stockholm, with the river crossing scenes being done at Pinewood. I believe that the Film Compant had a lot of trouble getting the Hurricane out of Hawkers for use in the ‘Hucknall’ scenes for some reason.

Hope this information is of use and interest….(puts anorak away now), 😀
Best Regards to you all,
Keith

Do you own 2 anoraks? 😀

Sorry, couldn’t resist 🙂

I have a wardrobe full.

Papa Limas picture is interesting, just ahead of the Compound is London Road bridge, when I was very young my father had lifted me on to the bridge parapet and a Compound unexpectantly appeared below me covering me in steam and smoke, for several years afterwards I ran across every railway bridge I was forced to cross, with head down. I found it less terrifying watching Canadian Sabres break the sound barrier at Newton airshow.

I would have gone for the Compound, I think most Scots were on the WCML, they didn’t start appearing in the Midland area till the early 60’s.

Do you own 2 anoraks? 😀

Sorry, couldn’t resist 🙂

On offer at play.com for release next month, cost £7-99. 🙂

CS

Midland Compound 1042

Begging the Forum’s indulgence, here is a picture to show younger members what we are talking about – in this case at Nottingham Midland station in 1926, these were also affectionately known as “Crimson Ramblers”.
Photo by the late T.G. Hepburn

Yeah, should have been a Midland compound or even a Royal Scot!

I would have gone for the Compound, I think most Scots were on the WCML, they didn’t start appearing in the Midland area till the early 60’s.

Yeah, should have been a Midland compound or even a Royal Scot!

Sweeet! I’ll have to get it!

Anyone notice that the Hurricane “von Werra” tries to steal is LF363? 😉

Yes, I was just going to post that, wasn’t Hucknall though, nor Codnor Park station, nor Swanwick, not sure about Grizedale Hall and LNER A3 pacifics didn’t make a habit of running into Derby station from the Lake Disrict, am I being picky.

😀 Oh yes it is!! I have my DVD copy here in front of me…released by Carlton Visual Entertainment. I got my copy via Amazon, but I’ve seen it in HMV. The number under the barcode thingy on the back is 5 037115 054739 if that’s any help! Now……back to the film….. :p :p

Best Regards
Keith

Sweeet! I’ll have to get it!

Anyone notice that the Hurricane “von Werra” tries to steal is LF363? 😉

😀 Oh yes it is!!

I have an interest in Werra cameras (mainly that they are fun, and I have b******d two up, so don’t have a good one anymore), and every now and then have a browse on Ebay for them. To my amusement, all the hits for Werra that come up in the UK are either cameras or Franz Von Werra related stuff – what I wonder are the odds on everything being on subjects I am interested in?

By the way, if you have a Werra you don’t want (Franz Von or camera)………………

******! I’ve not seen this in ages! Don’t think it’s even available on DVD/VHS, in the UK at least.

😀 Oh yes it is!! I have my DVD copy here in front of me…released by Carlton Visual Entertainment. I got my copy via Amazon, but I’ve seen it in HMV. The number under the barcode thingy on the back is 5 037115 054739 if that’s any help! Now……back to the film….. :p :p

Best Regards
Keith

Things to look out for, the camp he escaped from was The Hayes, Swanwick, quite an odd place in a built up area and now used as a conference centre.
The station was Codnor Park and Ironville, closed in 1967. I doubt whether the film was shot on location at any of these places, Codnor station should have 2 lines through the centre and 2 freight lines to the east.
The part of the airfield at Hucknall where Von Werra tried to steal the Hurricane was in the Rolls Royce area.
Must get me crisps and nuts and settle in front of the telly.

******! I’ve not seen this in ages! Don’t think it’s even available on DVD/VHS, in the UK at least.