Tuesday 20 July 1971 | Tittenhurst Park, Ascot, Berkshire
On 20 July 1971, John Lennon and Yoko Ono continued filming material for their feature film Imagine at their Tittenhurst Park estate in Ascot, Berkshire. At this stage the film was still being developed under the working title Your Show.
What Was Filmed
Lennon and Ono hired a crew from British Executive Aviation Services to capture aerial footage of the Tittenhurst Park estate.
They were also filmed on the ground. Their assistant, Dan Richter, arrived to collect them in a 1956 Austin Princess hearse and drove them to the edge of the estate's lake. From there, Lennon rowed himself and Ono out to the island in the middle of the lake, where they entered their newly-purchased small house and played Ono's White Chess Set ā a 1966 artwork in which all the pieces were white.
Lennon then rowed them back to the main house, where they changed costumes and were filmed on the outdoor terrace.
British Vogue Interview
Also on this day, Lennon and Ono gave an interview to Polly Devlin of British Vogue. The feature was published in the December 1971 issue of the magazine.
Key Facts
| Date | Tuesday 20 July 1971 |
| Location | Tittenhurst Park, Ascot, Berkshire |
| Film | Imagine (working title: Your Show) |
| Aerial crew | British Executive Aviation Services |
| Vehicle | 1956 Austin Princess hearse (driven by Dan Richter) |
| Artwork featured | White Chess Set by Yoko Ono (1966) |
| Interview | Polly Devlin, British Vogue (published December 1971) |
John Lennon: Imagine Peace
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Tittenhurst Park, Ascot, Berkshire ā John Lennon and Yoko Ono's estate, where filming for Imagine took place on 20 July 1971.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Imagine film made?
Much of the Imagine film was shot at Tittenhurst Park, John Lennon and Yoko Ono's estate in Ascot, Berkshire. Filming took place across several days in July 1971, including aerial footage and lakeside scenes on 20 July.
What was the working title of the Imagine film?
The Imagine film was developed under the working title Your Show before being released under its final title.
What is Yoko Ono's White Chess Set?
White Chess Set is a 1966 artwork by Yoko Ono in which all the chess pieces and the board are white, making it impossible to distinguish one player's pieces from the other's. It was featured in the Imagine film, with Lennon and Ono playing the game on the island at Tittenhurst Park.
Who was Dan Richter?
Dan Richter was John Lennon and Yoko Ono's personal assistant during the early 1970s. He appears in the Imagine film, driving Lennon and Ono in a 1956 Austin Princess hearse to the lake at Tittenhurst Park.
When was the Imagine film released?
The Imagine film was released in 1972. It was directed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, with additional direction by Steve Gebhardt and David Seltzer.
ā Filming: Imagine ā 18 July 1971
ā 20 July in Beatles History
ā July in Beatles History
ā John Lennon: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
ā Paul McCartney: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
ā George Harrison: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
ā Ringo Starr: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
ā The Beatles Knowledge Hub
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