An introduction

Quadrophenia graffiti
From a private collection

For many years Brighton and its surrounding areas have been an exceptionally popular location for shooting both television series and films. The pebbly beach, the Palace and West Piers, the narrow twisty tangled streets of the Lanes and the spectacular Royal Pavilion are just a few of the locations famous for providing the settings for movies on the big screen.

A phenomenal number of films have been shot on location in the city ranging from cult classics such as ‘Quadrophenia‘ and ‘Brighton Rock’ to more modern films including ‘The End Of The Affair‘, ‘Me Without You’ and most recently ‘Wimbledon’ which was filmed during 2003.

Many films using Brighton as a location fall into specific genres with the city providing a colourful backdrop to movies about gangster crime, violence and seedy sex. Glenda Clarke who is a tour guide within the city believes that as a consequence of these films Brighton has become “in a way a shorthand; it sets the scene. You mention Brighton and it instantly conjures up this image in people’s minds.”

Follow the links in the film list to find out more about the films that have been shot on location in the city and to see how some of the areas that feature in the films look today.

Comments about this page

  • How about ‘Fruit Machine’ made in the 70’s?

    By John Tunstill (15/12/2005)
  • Surely the most notable film is ‘Brighton Rock’?

    By Dave Gillbe (03/11/2006)
  • I think one of the best films made in Brighton was “”Jigsaw” starring Jack Warner. A murder story with a twist, it showed Brighton as it was before some of the more modern transformations. A rival to “Brighton Rock” in terms of locations around the town. Sometimes shown on television, it is a great pity that this film was not released on DVD or video.

    By Tony Clevett (24/06/2007)
  • Jigsaw was one of my favourite films. A nice murder story as Tony said. It also starred Ronald Lewis, John le Mesurier, John Barron and Yolande Donlan. The murder house was set in Saltdean but in reality was Haven House at the caravan park in Peacehaven, and is still there today.

    By Peter Maurice (17/02/2010)
  • At long last, the 1962 film Jigsaw is available on DVD. Available from Renown Pictures Ltd – their website is renownfilms.co.uk – and from Amazon in December 2014.

    By Trevor Harvey (24/11/2014)
  • Apotheosis (2016). Made by and starring Catherine Vaughan. It contains stunning cinematography of Brighton. Although Apotheosis is a suicide prevention movie, it is also a beautiful and moving musical experience that should be seen by all. To find it, search for ‘Apotheosis Movie Brighton Playlist” or follow this link… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qz99BolbJI&index=2&list=PLjmNnWKjJH9aJpHD8ekFoWiRqupH1xipJ

    By Ben Vaughan (16/03/2016)
  • I have just watched Jigsaw and thought it was superb with some fantastic locations in and around Brighton, in particular the scenes shot in the old police station (now a police museum I believe). There is a lengthy list of films featuring Brighton locations here http://www.brightonfilm.com/films_made_in_brighton_sound_1.htm

    By Julia McIntee (30/03/2016)

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