Underground (1928 film)

Underground is a 1928 British silent drama film directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Brian Aherne, Elissa Landi, Cyril McLaglen, and Norah Baring. The film examines the lives of ordinary Londoners and the romance between them, set on and around the London Underground.

Production

It was made by British Instructional Films at Elstree and Cricklewood Studios^[1] and on location in London including scenes shot at Lots Road Power Station in Chelsea.^[2] The film was based on an original scenario written by Asquith.^[3]

Synopsis

An electrician and a porter both fall in love with a shop girl they meet on the London Underground.^[4]

Restoration

Underground was restored in 2009 under the auspices of the British Film Institute (BFI). In 2011, composer and well-known silent film accompanist Neil Brand wrote a completely new score for the film, which was then premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Centre in London.^[5]

Cast

• Brian Aherne as Bill
• Elissa Landi as Nell
• Cyril McLaglen as Bert, Power station worker
• Norah Baring as Kate, Seamstress

References

Bibliography

• Ryall, Tom. Anthony Asquith. Manchester University Press, 2005.

External links

• Underground at IMDB
• Underground at BFI Database
• Sight & Sound article on Asquith's film
• Sight & Sound online review of the premiere of the BFI restoration
• Silent London article on Neil Brand's new score for Underground (with video clip)