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Spring and Port Wine (1969)

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10 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Obdurate Rafe Crompton (Mason), an engineer at a Bolton, Lancashire, cotton mill, finds his authority challenged when Hilda (George), the younger of his two daughters, refuses to eat a plate of herring, which he then serves up to her day after day, forcing the battle of wills to breaking point. Bill Naughton's play may have worked on stage, but on screen (in the playwright's own adaptation) it's as inconsequential as an expanded sitcom, and Mason's much too big a star for the material.

Author: TJ

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

steve said...

Posted on Feb 14 2012 08:00 yeah the rear shot is on quebec street,my uncle lived facing the steps

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Pj said...

Posted on Feb 13 2012 21:40 Hi, yes the IMDB database shows Queens Park & the willows & some scenes shot in London studios.
The rear shot on street view shows the steps up to the house aswell.
Great to get the location, I like a bit of location info on any film I enjoy.

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steve said...

Posted on Feb 13 2012 15:52 some of the scenes PJ where the wife runs down to the canal is actually filmed about 5 miles from the house near leverhulme park in darcy lever , bolton and the bus rides are in the town centre

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Pj said...

Posted on Feb 13 2012 14:10 Thats great. Thanks for your reply, will check it out.

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steve said...

Posted on Feb 13 2012 07:56 the house in spring and port wine is on grisdale road, bolton, when u google map it go to the top of the street that is a cul de sac and its the end house on the left

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PJ said...

Posted on Feb 13 2012 00:19 This film is brilliant. It does what few other films dare to do ... It keeps it real. Often wonder why Bernard Breslaw (famous for "Carry on" films) had a small lorry driver part. Its also nicely ironic that the stageplay is set in a house that's high up like a stage for the neighborhood. Steve, why not give us the address so we can Google street view it now.

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ivan ord said...

Posted on May 30 2010 13:49 The revue on the film is a little harsh, isn't it. I realise it's his job, but can't he see it for what is is-a great film, with an adequate look into late sixties life, not a target for milisciousness. I thought James Mason did a fine Job. And Rodney bewes as his son(a Geordie by the way) was more than adequate. Their love/hate relationship worked a treat

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ivan ord said...

Posted on May 30 2010 13:42 So interesting that Steve was so close to the filming. Lucky begger. Does anyone know where to get the score?

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steve said...

Posted on May 28 2010 19:13 i loved this film probably because it was from my home town. i was brought up around the corner from where the film was done and the house actually belonged to my mates sister. my mum used to make brews for the film crew

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ivan ord said...

Posted on Jun 21 2009 13:44 what an amazing film! brings back memories of the sixties. and the score is gorgious, especially the opening credits. i'd love to get the score, but i think it's unavailable.

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