The Birmingham Film Thread

jauntyangle · March 25th, 2012, 04:06 AM

I was having a discussion at work the other day about how there's been virtually no films set in or filmed in Birmingham and its surrounds.

After a bit of research, I found two:

Sex Lives of The Potato Men (2004)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368259/

I've actually seen this, and thought it had its moments, but I remember reading a review somewhere describing it as the worst British film ever made!

Take Me High (1974)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070194/

A Cliff Richard vehicle about setting up a Burger Bar in Birmingham.

I've not seen this, but would love to, as apparently it features the canal system as it was in the early 70s. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be available on DVD.

So, does anyone know of any others? Were they any good? And which parts/eras of Birmingham were featured?

If we're running short, feel free to add TV shows. For example, Gangsters (1975) which I bought on DVD awhile ago, but haven't got around to watching yet. But this youtube clip features the toilets that are still at the edge of the Jewellery Quarter!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf-x-_r0ulk

Victorian · March 25th, 2012, 05:47 AM

Felicia's Journey (1999) by Canadian film director Atom Egoyan. An entry in the Cannes Film Festival. It stars cockney Bob Hoskins putting on a Brummy accent. An Irish girl travels to Birmingham in search of her British army boyfriend --- I recall she arrived at the old Digbeth Coach Station in the film, which was not the best of scenic introductions to the city.

sefton66 · March 25th, 2012, 11:18 AM

Not sure what film it was but a few years ago they were filming in bournville on franklin road, they had old cars outside and were using a few of the houses opposite the park. Ive looked for information but I never found out what it was actually for anyone know?

I was told it was a film about someone who got mugged and ended up learning how to fight and become a bouncer?

lbrown · March 25th, 2012, 07:13 PM

Take Me High with Cliff Richard is on Youtube, check out section 3 a great scene where Cliff walks from the Council House to Gas St Basin, Central Library looks gleaming white.

jauntyangle · March 25th, 2012, 08:57 PM

Thanks lbrown, just watched that segment.

I wonder if anyone had considered just painting the current library white?

hoody · March 25th, 2012, 09:54 PM

I recall a few years back that there was to be a production called 'Run' which was to feature a high speed car chase in the A38(m) but I think it failed to come into production.

There's a cheap film production company called Rotunda Films but to be honest they look rubbish (so one better than Sex Lives of the Potato men)

Qoasis777 · March 26th, 2012, 07:02 PM

They were filming at the old ATV studios on Saturday. A low budget film called we are the freaks.

Couple of guys out of skins in it and the weird one that talks funny out of this is England

lbrown · March 27th, 2012, 12:02 AM

Theres also One Day a british gang film set in Birmingham some scenes are in the Pallasades.

Ginger Tosser · March 29th, 2012, 12:42 AM

Tezz - a bollywood film was shot around Brum in 2010.

March 25th, 2012, 04:06 AM	#1
jauntyangle Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 91 Likes (Received): 1	The Birmingham Film Thread I was having a discussion at work the other day about how there's been virtually no films set in or filmed in Birmingham and its surrounds. After a bit of research, I found two: Sex Lives of The Potato Men (2004) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368259/ I've actually seen this, and thought it had its moments, but I remember reading a review somewhere describing it as the worst British film ever made! Take Me High (1974) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070194/ A Cliff Richard vehicle about setting up a Burger Bar in Birmingham. I've not seen this, but would love to, as apparently it features the canal system as it was in the early 70s. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be available on DVD. So, does anyone know of any others? Were they any good? And which parts/eras of Birmingham were featured? If we're running short, feel free to add TV shows. For example, Gangsters (1975) which I bought on DVD awhile ago, but haven't got around to watching yet. But this youtube clip features the toilets that are still at the edge of the Jewellery Quarter! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf-x-_r0ulk

March 25th, 2012, 09:54 PM	#6
hoody Hello Dave...? Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Royston Vasey Posts: 4,812 Likes (Received): 51	I recall a few years back that there was to be a production called 'Run' which was to feature a high speed car chase in the A38(m) but I think it failed to come into production. There's a cheap film production company called Rotunda Films but to be honest they look rubbish (so one better than Sex Lives of the Potato men) __________________ You're my wife now.

March 29th, 2012, 12:42 AM	#9
Ginger Tosser #pragma Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,139 Likes (Received): 2	Tezz - a bollywood film was shot around Brum in 2010. __________________ Happiness is a Kebab called Doner. Some building pictures here. Will increase the numbers eventually!

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March 25th, 2012, 05:47 AM	#2
Victorian Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: British Columbia Posts: 280 Likes (Received): 0	Felicia's Journey (1999) by Canadian film director Atom Egoyan. An entry in the Cannes Film Festival. It stars cockney Bob Hoskins putting on a Brummy accent. An Irish girl travels to Birmingham in search of her British army boyfriend --- I recall she arrived at the old Digbeth Coach Station in the film, which was not the best of scenic introductions to the city.

March 25th, 2012, 11:18 AM	#3
sefton66 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6,495 Likes (Received): 60	Not sure what film it was but a few years ago they were filming in bournville on franklin road, they had old cars outside and were using a few of the houses opposite the park. Ive looked for information but I never found out what it was actually for anyone know? I was told it was a film about someone who got mugged and ended up learning how to fight and become a bouncer?

March 25th, 2012, 07:13 PM	#4
lbrown Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 141 Likes (Received): 5	Take Me High with Cliff Richard is on Youtube, check out section 3 a great scene where Cliff walks from the Council House to Gas St Basin, Central Library looks gleaming white.

March 25th, 2012, 08:57 PM	#5
jauntyangle Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 91 Likes (Received): 1	Thanks lbrown, just watched that segment. I wonder if anyone had considered just painting the current library white?

March 26th, 2012, 07:02 PM	#7
Qoasis777 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 622 Likes (Received): 10	They were filming at the old ATV studios on Saturday. A low budget film called we are the freaks. Couple of guys out of skins in it and the weird one that talks funny out of this is England

March 27th, 2012, 12:02 AM	#8
lbrown Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 141 Likes (Received): 5	Theres also One Day a british gang film set in Birmingham some scenes are in the Pallasades.