Swindon's connection to the film of the George Orwell classic
Updated: article first written in 2000
40 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH
Big Brother watched over Swindon in the mid-eighties, during filming of the classic adaptation of George Orwell's terrifying vision, Nineteen Eighty-Four, starring
Richard Burton (his last-ever film) and John Hurt.
With key scenes being filmed nearby at RAF Hullavington, intrepid Swindonians were recruited as extras.
Off with it!:
an extra gets ready to lose his locks at the TA Centre in Rodbourne courtesy of Talk of the Town in Old Town ready for filming of Nineteen Eighty-Four
Like lambs to the slaughter they were led to the Territorial (TA) Army HQ in Rodbourne, where they had their 'identities erased' and their heads shaved using pudding bowls courtesy of local hairdressers Talk of the Town (who were based at what is now The Tuppenny pub in Old Town).
They were then shipped to Hullavington for filming and to take part in the dramatic opening of the movie (see below). By all accounts they each received £25 a day.
Sadly, none of the extras were available for interview, through fear of being intercepted by the Thought Police.
Richard Burton
Ninety-Eighty-Four was also Richard Burton's last act on screen. He died just weeks later in August 1984 at home in Switzerland.
1984 picture gallery
courtesy of calyxmultimedia
Filming near Swindon:
Richard Burton (r) taking a break with John Hurt (l)
Happy anniversary Harry! Here's #Swindon's connection to the boy wizard 20 years on from the day Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was first published...
