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With a single dessert and just two glasses of wine our bill was kept in check - but the effort of doing so was not much fun
Tax break risk to London's movies
By Kiran Randhawa & Katharine Barney, Evening Standard 11.12.06
Alex Pettyfer, Sarah Bolger and the Gherkin in this year's Stormbreaker
Look here too
From The Italian Job to Batman Begins, London has provided a backdrop to many a Hollywood blockbuster.
But there are fears that this could end after US movie-makers threatened to snub the capital over new filming rules.
In a controversial move, the Government has decided to withdraw tax-breaks for movies that are not "culturally British".
The regulations, imposed by the EC, would mean that filmmakers would miss out on a share of the £120 million subsidy offered by the Government because the storyline is not set in this country.
The announcement is also another disincentive for US studios, who already face high exchange rates.
Ian Thompson, a consultant who works with film financiers, said: "At a time when British film is at such a high ebb - we've got The Queen, The Last King Of Scotland, the Harry Potter franchise and Pullman novels - what is the point in doing this?"
The change in tax breaks comes as a new map highlights locations from more than 50 movies filmed in London from the Forties to the present day.
Building on the rising trend in film tourism, also known as "set-jetting", the London Movie Map helps visitors to explore a range of attractions with a big screen connection. Sites range from Selfridges, where Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman went shopping in Love Actually, to Westminster Abbey, seen in The Da Vinci Code.
Adrian Wootton of Film London, which promotes movie-making in the capital, said: "I'm sure this will offer a new perspective on the capital." The maps are available at tourist information centres, Cineworld cinemas and bars and cafés in the West End.
LONDON ON THE BIG SCREEN...
1. The Dorchester
Wimbledon (2004)
2. Hyde Park Hilton
Frenzy (1972)
3. Royal Lancaster Hotel
The Italian Job (1969)
4. Selfridges
Love Actually (2003)
An American Werewolf In London (1981)
6. Windmill Theatre
Mrs Henderson Presents (2005)
The Fifth Element (1997)
Enigma (2001)
101 Dalmatians (1996)
10. Westminster Abbey
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
11. Whitehall
V For Vendetta (2005)
12. Westminster Bridge
28 Days Later (2002)
13. London Eye
Thunderbirds (2004)
14. Somerset House
Pride & Prejudice (2004)
15. Waterloo
Waterloo Bridge (1941)
16. London Aquarium
Closer (2004)
17. South Bank
Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994)
18. Tate Modern
Match Point (2005)
Great Expectations (1946)
20. Tower Bridge
Alfie (1966)
21. Postman's Park
Closer (2004)
22. Highgate Cemetery
High Hopes (1988)
23. The Salisbury
The Long Good Friday (1980)
24. Parliament Hill
The Omen (1976)
25. Regent's Park
Brief Encounter (1945)
26. London Zoo
Withnail And I (1987)
27. Primrose Hill
Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason (2004)
28. King's Cross
Ladykillers (1955)
29. Newman Arms
Peeping Tom (1960)
30. British Museum
The Mummy (1999) The Mummy Returns (2001)
31. Battersea Power Station Sabotage (1936)
32. The Royal Naval College The Madness Of King George (1994)
33. Maryon Park
Blowup (1966)
34. Syon House
Gosford Park (2001)
35. Osterley Park/House
Mrs Brown (1997)
36. West India Quay
Layer Cake (2004)
37. Hackney Empire
Chaplin (1992)
38. Leadenhall Market
Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone (2001)
39. Borough Market
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
40. Priory Church of Saint Bartholomew the Great Shakespeare In Love (1998)
41. Wilton's Music Hall
Interview With The Vampire (1944)
42. Notting Hill
Notting Hill (1999)
43. Prince Alfred
The End Of The Affair (1999)
44. Brompton Cemetery
Goldeneye (1995)
Finding Neverland (2004)
46. Science Museum
Stormbreaker (2006)
47. Powis Square
Performance (1970)
48. Natural History Museum One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing (1975)
49. Albert Hall
The Ipcress File (1965)
50. Linley Sambourne House A Room With A View (1985)
51. The Underground
Sliding Doors (1998)
52. Senate House
Batman Begins (2005)
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