Trivia / The Knowledge

• All There in the Script: The script describes Mr Burgess as an ex-policeman: big, and very intimidating.
• Deleted Scene: There are a number of deleted scenes which can be seen in the published book of the script:
  • Chris and Janet buying the moped in a shop: Chris gazes sadly at a beautiful motorbike, while Janet counts pound notes out of her handbag for the ancient, dilapidated moped he ends up with.
  • When Ted sneaks out at night to do a run, his wife Val mentions that she forgot to water their three-year-old daughter, Joanna. There follows a short scene where Ted puts her on a potty, and Joanna says in her sleep "Daddy doesn't live here any more; Daddy lives on a moped".
  • During the acceptance interview scene, a few of Mr Burgess's lines were cut, including "the blue book is not so much your Bible as your sermon on the mount: it tells you what you must achieve, but not how to achieve it".
• Technology Marches On: Mr. Burgess is shown referring to a large paper map of London when examining the Knowledge Boys. In the 21st century, examiners now use electronic tablets and map applications during appearances.
• Research has shown that the hippocampus (the part of the brain used for navigation) is notably larger in London taxi drivers than in the general population.

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