Cleanskin
Cleanskin, out on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download on 2nd July is an explosive thriller set against the dramatic backdrop of London under a terrorist siege. Deep undercover inside London’s criminal underbelly, Secret Service Agent Ewan (Sean Bean) is hot on the heels of a deadly terrorist cell. His mission: to terminate extremism.
The film is the latest in a long line of films using the gritty, yet beautiful scenery of London as a backdrop to thrilling adventures and timeless stories. To celebrate the release, we’ve picked a few movies that showcase the best that the ‘big smoke’ has to offer.
- The 39 Steps (1935)
It is widely accepted that Alfred Hitchcock was the first to feature London landmarks when filming his many spy adventures; including ‘Blackmail’ (1929), ‘The Man Who knew Too Much’ (1934) and most famously ‘The 39 Steps’ (1935). Upon finding a murdered woman in his apartment, Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) goes on the run to break a spy ring.
After travelling the length of the country, Hannay ends up at the London Palladium Theatre where a performer is at the heart of ‘The 39 Steps.’
- Goldfinger (1964)
In addition to the fancy surrounds of Stoke Park just up the A4, London features heavily as 007 (Sean Connery) investigates the smuggling of a gold tycoon whilst dodging the deadly bowler hats of lethal henchman Oddjob.
After confronting Auric Goldfinger in Miami, Bond wakes up to find a dead woman painted gold in his room. He is ordered to return to London to discuss the heightened danger of the assignment, taking in Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament before facing the wrath of M.
- Buster (1988)
‘The Great Train Robbery of 1963’ was depicted in this action comedy, starring Phil Collins as thief Buster Edwards. The film sees the planning, execution and aftermath of the famous heist while focusing on Buster and his wife June’s (Julie Walters) endearing relationship throughout.
The film was shot at great locations including Tower Bridge, Westminster and Southbank, as well as a brilliant Spencer Davis-scored opening scene involving a mannequin, filmed on Broadway Market.
- Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
In Guy Ritchie’s directorial debut, four guys pool their money to win a high-stakes card game only to end up owing half a million pounds to a gangster kingpin. As they race around the East End to raise the money, Borough Market and Shoreditch are featured prominently in this outstanding British crime movie.
- Snatch (2000)
Sticking with Guy Ritchie, Jason Statham’s boxing promoter gets drawn into the dangerous world of match fixing, after the boxer he is backing gets knocked out by ‘one punch’ Mickey O’Neil (Brad Pitt).
As he tries to convince O’Neil of the financial benefits of winning and losing on demand, a diamond heist takes place and a huge jewel is brought into London’s criminal underworld. The film features locations throughout Bethnal Green, including the majestic Town Hall, as well as an Amusement Arcade in West Ealing.
- V For Vendetta (2005)
V for Vendetta takes place in an alternate vision of Britain in which a corrupt and abusive totalitarian government has risen to power and a mysterious vigilante known only as V rebels against it.
To demonstrate the contrast between old and new London, the film opens with an explosive attack on the Old Bailey and closes with an unsettling scene in the London Underground, both of which involves severe destruction.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 (2010)
In the penultimate episode of the epic film franchise, the boy wizard is on the run across the country and stops in various locations in London to hide.
During a sudden escape, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) runs down Shaftsbury Avenue and engages in a battle at a café in Piccadilly Circus, later on in the film, he disguises himself near Great Scotland Yard before entering the Ministry of Magic using the public toilets at Whitehall.
- Cleanskin (2012)
Showcasing London’s rough edges, Cleanskin tells the story of Ewan (Sean Bean), a secret service agent faced with the task of pursuing and eliminating a suicide bomber and his terrorist cell.
The movie utilises the sprawling, near derelict Heygate Estate in Elephant & Castle and blows up the glorious Mayfair Hotel in a spectacular terrorist attack.
Cleanskin explodes onto Blu-rayTM, DVD and Digital Download on 2nd July