Did you know these films were made in Devon?
15th May 2018
Categories: Visitor News
Did you know these films were made in Devon?
Sometimes you’ll be sat in a cinema watching a film and you’ll experience that irritating niggle where you recognise somewhere but you’re not sure where you’ve seen it before. You might have found that while watching some of the following films, all of which were filmed in Devon.
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society- Lily James’ new film, which was released this summer, transformed Bideford to portray Nazi-occupied Guernsey. Other locations included Hartland and Clovelly, with residents featuring as extras! Look closely and see if you recognise any of the streets!
- A Hard Day’s Night - It was probably a huge shock in the 1960s when the Beatles’ mighty fan base descended on Newton Abbot hoping to catch a glimpse of the fab four. The band’s musical comedy film follows them as they take a train journey to a gig, losing a band member and trying to keep Paul’s grandfather out of trouble. Most of the film takes place on a train, with one of the stops being filmed in Devon. See if you can spot which one!
- Dark Shadows - Yes, you read that right, the Johnny Depp headed vampire movie featured Great Mattiscombe Sands, which is one of the stops on the Nautical Trail – 7 Day South West Coast Path Trial. Which is posing as a clifftop in an American fishing town and serving as the place that Depp’s vampire, Barnabas Collins takes a stroll.
- My Cousin Rachel - While the story is based in Cornwall, the Flete Estate was used for several scenes in the film, as was Mothecombe Beach where visitors got to witness Sam Claflin and Rachel Weisz riding around on horse back while in full period clothing.
- The Edge of Tomorrow - Yes, Tom Cruise has been to Devon. The scenes where humans and aliens battle on Normandy’s beaches featured Saunton Sands in its wide shots. Something for you to think about when you’re dining at the Saunton Sands Hotel!
- The Mercy - Aside from being the birthplace of Muse, Teignmouth was used to film The Mercy, starring Colin Firth. It tells the story of Donald Crowhurst who attempted to sail around the world. Teignmouth was also the place that the real Crowhurst set sail from.
- Sense and Sensibility - You were waiting for this one to appear weren’t you? Jane Austen took inspiration for the original source material from various locations in Devon and some of the film’s locations have already been featured on this list – Flete Estate is a popular spot for film makers clearly!
- War Horse - Steven Spielberg was very impressed on his visit to the region for filming War Horse, he used a number of places around Dartmouth he has since described the area as being “an abundance of natural beauty.”
- Churchill: The Hollywood Years - The director of this satire, Peter Richardson, was born in Devon, the film pokes fun at the way Hollywood produces world war two films by replacing Winston Churchill with a macho man played by Christian Slater. The majority of the film was produced in Devon with Powderham Castle being one location.
- Barry Lyndon - The 1975 epic period drama about Lord Bullingdon was filmed at the National Trust’s Compton Castle, a fortified manor house near Paignton which is open to visitors and has also appeared in Ang Lee’s version of Sense and Sensibility.
So next time you’re watching a film wondering why something looks familiar, it might be because it is a regular holiday haunt! Devon’s coast and countryside regularly pop up in films and television, so let us know if you’ve spotted any other locations around the region! You can contact us on Facebook and Twitter or even tag us in a picture of yourself at the location in Instagram!
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