Racegoers stunned to see course plastered in Nazi memorabilia – thanks to Bollywood

A SELECTION of dated film props gave visitors to a popular racecourse a fright after the grounds were plastered in Nazi memorabilia.

Swastikas could be seen from the roadside outside Doncaster Racecourse, South Yorkshire, after the building was doubled up as a ‘Nazi’ Olympics film set in 1936 Berlin.

The film Gold, which is being shot at locations across Yorkshire, focuses on India clinching its first ever Olympic medal in 1948.

Camera crews filmed actors parading around in full Nazi costumes and regalia, which is believed to be a flashback in the Bollywood feature film.

Bradford Film Office spokesman David Wilson said: “Gold is quite a big production, with about 2,000 extras from across Yorkshire filming between now and August.

“Vintage vehicles and characters in period clothing were brought in for the shoot.

He added: “It’s a different approach to Bollywood – It’s trying to recreate that world of 1948.”

Scenes have also been shot at York City’s Bootham Crescent ground, which also doubled up as Berlin’s Olympic Stadium more than 80 years ago.

According to online movie database IMDB, the film is set in 1948 and tells the historic story of India’s first Olympic medal postindependence.

India’s medal came at the 1948 Olympics, held in London just a year after the dawn of Indian independence, when the men’s field hockey team beat Great Britain 4-0 in the final.

Doncaster is also one of the oldest and largest established centres for horse racing in Britain, with records of regular race meetings going back to the 16th century.