Southend has been on our screens a quite lot of late - but mostly because of our busy beaches. 

But here we take a look at the role the town has played on the silver screen. 

GOLDFINGER (1964) - Southend Airport

This is probably one of the most well-known local movie location scene- although we have to admit it is a very fleeting one.

Echo:

James Bond, played by Sean Connery, drives his Aston Martin DB5 into Southend Airport, having tracked Goldfinger’s Rolls Royce there, and takes his Aston Martin to Geneva in Switzerland via Carvair from Southend Airport.

MINDER (1979-1994) - Southend Pier

Southend Pier features in the end credits of the hugely popular British television series Minder.

Echo:

The sequence showed unscrupulous businessman Arthur Daley and his bodyguard – or Minder - Ray walking down the pier.

When they reach the end Arthur realises he has left his lighter at the far end and they have to walk all the way back.

One of the original directors of Minder was from Southend and it is thought this is why the pier was chosen to be in the scene.

THE QUEEN (2006) - Southend Airport

The airport was the backdrop for a famous scene from Oscar-winning movie starring Southend’s own homegrown superstar Helen Mirren in the lead role.

Echo:

When Princess Diana’s flag-draped coffin arrives back in the UK the scene was filmed at Southend Airport which stand in for ‘RAF Northolt’, where the plane carrying her body actually landed.

WONDER WOMAN (2017) Southend coast

Gal Gadot and Chris Pine caused a sensation when they were both spotted filming the blockbuster DC cinematic movie on the banks of the Thames in Southend back in 2015.

Echo:

A bridge in Southend was used to show soldiers returning to the UK from fighting in the First World War while many of the CGI-heavy war scenes were shot at nearby Tilbury Fort.

The crew also did a lot of filming just over the border in Hertfordshire.

ESSEX BOYS 2000 - Marine Parade

Starring Sean Bean, the gangster film was loosely based on the 1995 Rettendon Murders.

A number of scenes were shot in and around Southend including on Marine Parade.

Echo:

One scene caused an upset when it was allegedly filmed at Bar Central in Lucy Road, Southend, without the owners of the nightclub being asked for permission first.