Have you ever found yourself lost in a scene and wondered it was ? The backdrop of a movie can play an important role in creating the atmosphere and bringing the story to life. Filmmakers carefully select locations that fit their vision, and sometimes, these locations become just as iconic as the film itself. Let’s take a glimpse at some of the most memorable movie locations and where they were filmed.
The Godfather (1972)
In this iconic movie, the wedding scene was filmed at the St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral located in Little Italy, New York City. The Corleone family’s house was a real residence at 110 Longfellow Avenue, Staten Island, and the tollbooth scene was filmed at the Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, New York.
The Shining (1980)
The Overlook Hotel in The Shining was an eerie and creepy location, but did you know it was filmed at The Timberline Lodge in Oregon? The spooky hedge maze was added for the movie, and the famous helicopter shot was filmed above the Glacier National Park in Montana.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
In this vibrant classic, the majority of the scenes were filmed in a sound stage, but the dramatic opening scene of black-and-white Kansas was filmed in part at the Old Tuscon Studios, Arizona. Dorothy’s house was constructed in California, and the Yellow Brick Road scene was filmed at the Culver Studios, Nevada.
Rocky (1976)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, became an immediate classic because of Rocky. The movie was filmed at various locations in Philadelphia, such as the Italian Market, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the famous staircase that Rocky runs up in triumph. The Rocky statue was eventually added 13 years later and became a tourist attraction.
Star Wars (1977)
The scenery was undoubtedly breathtaking in Star Wars, and it was filmed in Tunisia. The entire Tatooine planet was filmed in the North African country, including the famous Obi-Wan’s desert house, which still exists, and could be found near the town of Tozeur.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
The imaginary Grand Budapest Hotel, where most of the movie took place, was filmed at the Görlitzer Warenhaus in Görlitz, Germany. The crew transformed the defunct department store into the fictional world of the movie, including hallways, rooms, and even the telephone booths.
In conclusion, the location of a movie can significantly impact how the audience perceives and remembers it. Whether it’s a fictional place or a real location, the collaboration between the filmmaker’s vision and location enhances the immersion and brings the characters to life. Next time you watch a movie, think about the location and how much it adds to the story.