Goodnight Mister Tom was filmed in Turville Buckinghamshire. Goodnight Mister Tom is a 1998 film adaptation by Carlton Television from a novel.
Starring John Thaw as Tom Oakley and Nick Robinson as William Beech, the story revolves around a tiny English village in the country just before the outbreak of World War II. It follows a shy and quiet boy who comes across an older man who does not care for much else and their unlikely friendship.
Director Jack Gold collaborated with writer Brian Finch to ensure they do the work of author Michelle Magorian justice. The result was a heartwarming reenactment with a 1999 National Television Award and a BAFTA for Most Popular Television Programme under their name.
Much of the praise went to its locations and larger-than-life depictions of what remained written in the literature.
Where Was Goodnight Mister Tom Filmed?
Goodnight Mister Tom filming location includes Turville Buckinghamshire of Britain. The most notable scene comes from the lodge in which Mr. Tom lives.
The Chocolate Box Cottage
The characterful chocolate box cottage has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two reception rooms, and beautiful gardens.
According to Dailymail, the shack got its name, Sleepy Cottage, from a legend of an 11-year-old girl who lived there in the 1870s. Her mother reported she had an episode of seizure and purportedly fell into a deep sleep for nine years. Even King Edward VII came for a visit, while others called it a hoax.
Fortunately, the story had a happy ending, as she married and had five children.
Both the interior and exterior got used as backdrop, with brick fireplaces and vaulted ceilings providing a homely feeling to the dangerous conditions. The residence in Chiltern village of Turville also comes with plenty of walking routes, beech woodland areas, and bridleways nearby. Its central location with 1,101 sq ft of accommodation is ideal for any camera elements to pass through.
Indeed, the magnificent home got used by programs like Vicar of Dibley and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In July 2020, Charlie Chavasse, a property agent at Savills, listed the residence for a price tag of £795,000.
Severn Valley Railway
People in the area have recognized renowned places like Severn Valley Railway in Arley, Worcestershire.
The steam railway runs through the town carrying passengers from Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire. The view from outside the windows is awe striking, with a massive 200-foot Victoria Bridge suspended high above the water.
Great Central Railway
After the camera panned to London, they took shots from Great Central Railway in Loughborough.
The double track section gives passengers the thrill of the magic of the golden age of steam as the passenger can appreciate the view of Leicestershire countryside.
Indeed, they also used a weathered filter to show the post-War British transport while using a GWR Mogul 7325 as the locomotive. The train got shown when bringing William and other evacuees to the countryside station.
Goodnight Mister Tom Plot Synopsis
The general premise for Goodnight Mister Tom revolved around strangers meeting set in the background of World War II.
The story opens with Tom Oakley, a bitter gentleman living in the countryside, getting the news that his country had declared war on Germany. The youth got sent to the battleground while the kids from the capital got evacuated to the safer shelter. Oakley got tasked with caring for William, a quiet boy who has had enough of the harsh adults.
Tom has grown stone cold after the loss of his family, as he does not care for the child. The two find a common goal, with the aged man finally warming up to him after buying his new clothes. Things take a turn when the child gets informed of his sick mom, which was just a ploy to get him back.
Things go from bad to worse as his mother suffers a mental breakdown, putting her son in danger. Tom gets a feeling things are not right and asks A.R.P. Warden to help him locate the kid. They find him in horrific conditions, taking him to a psychiatrist for mental treatment.
After more turbulence and losing loved ones, Tom helps Will heal and shows him finally addressing Tom as his father.