Film buffs watching new movie The Red Violin are sure to recognise a number of key locations.

The film, featuring Hollywood stars Samuel L. Jackson and Greta Scacchi, features Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre and a room at Exeter College.

Following the success of classical music flick Hilary and Jackie - the life story of Oxford-born cellist Jacqueline du Pre - The Red Violin features the travels of a violin over three centuries and across five continents.

During the 18th century, the instrument was owned by master violinist Frederick Pope, played by Jason Flemyng. Cinema-goers will see concert scenes inside the Sheldonian and a room at Exeter College which was used for Frederick Pope's lodgings.

The film's locations' manager Phil Hounam, of Meadow Way, Yarnton, was consulted by the Canadian director Francois Girard for the best venues for a number of major scenes.

Two years ago, more than 130 extras filled the Sheldonian for two days while a lavish concert performance was recreated. Mr Hounam, who also worked as a location scout on Hilary and Jackie, said: "It was a very interesting film to work on and I think it will prove very popular with audiences. "We closed off Broad Street to traffic when the concert scenes were being shot at the Sheldonian so we would get the perfect sound. We also used a helium device to float a huge light to the ceiling inside the Sheldonian, which provided a soft glow during the concert."

Last year, The Red Violin won best Canadian feature at the Montreal International Festival of New Cinema.

Last week, BBC film crews were at the former Oxford Prison for a feature on the Debtors' Tower. Oxfordshire County Council's Nick Evans, who manages the prison site, said: "One Foot In The Past are making a special programme about debtors' prisons and we have a debtors' tower in the prison dating back to the 1780s. There is another one in Lancaster and they wanted to make a programme comparing and contrasting the two."

The prison featured in an episode of The Bill and a Pot Noodle advert. Makers of a science programme on twins also visited the city recently.

Story date: Saturday 10 April

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