Cracker: White Ghost - Robbie Coltrane (1996) - 31 Barker Road, The Peak

As mentioned previously, #31 Barker Road was used a few years after it was last seen on Shadow of China. For those who remember watching Cracker: White Ghost there is the scene when Fitz and crew head to speak to a rather forthright gweilo businessman played by David Bradley. Bradley will be familiar to anyone who has seen him as Mr Filch in the Harry Potter films and is currently most well-known for his role as Abraham Setrakian in The Strain.

The building behind Robbie Coltrane (another Harry Potter connection there) in the lower photo is Barker Villa at #41 Barker Road.

The driveway is fairly recognisable but it looks like the house underwent some ill-advised cladding work since Shadow of China was filmed there, or perhaps the stucco was removed to reveal the brick underneath? Whichever it was I don't think it enhanced the look. You can compare the two shots below to see how the place changed in the space of a few years.

Shadow of China

Cracker: White Ghost

Shadow of China - John Lone (1989) - 31 Barker Road, The Peak

The second property used for Henry's house is #31 Barker Road. This one was a real stumper for me because it has since been completely redeveloped. In the end I had to go back to the source and ask for help from Neil himself (the location manager on the film).

The house stood on a raised terrace like many other properties that are situated on the slopes of Victoria Peak and had a rather impressive sweeping driveway that curves to the front of the house from Barker Road. The driveway looked familiar to me because it was also used on another of Neil's productions a few years later (post to follow).

The site has since been completely redeveloped and it looks as though four separate houses now occupy the same site. The driveway is still there but the wall along its edge has been replaced by something a bit more modern.

For those interested in a different view of the house,you can see it in the centre left of this photo on FLICKR.