7 famous film locations in Somerset
Somerset’s a beautiful county. It’s not a surprise then that its been widely used as a filming location! Here’s a guide to 8 famous films that have been shot on location in Somerset.
1. Hot Fuzz (2007), Wells
Achieving something of a cult status amongst Somerset film fans, Hot Fuzz is a comedy in the style of a crime/ police action thriller set in the quiet, countryside town of Sandford. Sergeant Angel, a tough inner city cop, is forced to relocate to Sandford. He struggles to adjust to country living and soon finds that the gruesome ‘accidents’ might be the work of the shadowy Neighbourhood Watch Alliance…
Written by Edgar Wright who grew up in Wells, Hot Fuzz was filmed entirely in Wells and many locations around the area can be spotted in the film!
2. The Libertine (1996), Wells and Montacute
The story of the infamous Earl of Rochester, a rebellious 17th century poet who loved nothing better than engaging in drunken debauchery, this film starred a young Johnny Depp. Parts were filmed in the city of Wells as well as Montacute House, near Yeovil.
3. Pandaemonium (2001), Exmoor and the Quantocks
Exploring the relationship between two of the most famous people to be associated with Somerset: the 19th century poets, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth, Pandaemonium was shot on the Quantock Hills and Exmoor. Coleridge lived in Nether Stowey, before moving to Clevedon and Wordsworth lived nearby at Alfoxden.
4. The Café (2011), Weston-super-Mare
A Sky One Sitcom set in a sleepy seafront café in Weston-super-Mare, The Café was written by Ralph Little and Michelle Terry, and directed by Craig Cash (famous for the BBC sitcom, ‘The Royale Family’). It was filmed entirely on location, with a special cafe being constructed near Knightstone Island.
5. Les Misérables (2012), Bath
Based on Victor Hugo’s seminal 1862 novel about the life of the poor in 19th century France, Les Misérables is most famously known for its musical adaptation on the West End. In 2012 a film was made of the musical with an all star cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway to name a few. It was a commercial and critical success.
Despite its Hollywood names, nearly all of Les Misérables was actually shot in the UK. One scene at the end of the film was shot in Bath (Spoiler alert coming up). The troubled policeman, Javert, having let his arch enemy Valjean escape and having betrayed his rigid principles decides to commit suicide by jumping into the river Seine. Look closely and you can tell that the Seine in the film is actually the River Avon flowing under Pulteney Bridge in Bath. Watch for the tell-tale weir!
6. Broadchurch (2013), Clevedon
Arguably one of ITV’s most gripping television dramas of recent years, Broadchurch follows the community of a small, seaside town in Dorset as they try to come to terms with the murder of a young boy. Taking inspiration from the beautifully haunting visual cues and gripping storytelling of Scandic-Noir dramas such as The Killing, Broadchurch
Despite being set in Dorset, much of Broadchurch was filmed in and around Clevedon. St Andrew’s Church in Clevedon was used as the Broadchurch parish church and graveyard, and Marshall’s Field and a house in Hill Road were used for the Latimers’ home.
7. ‘You & I’ music video, One Direction (2013), Clevedon Pier
International superstar boy band One Direction actually filmed one of their recent videos in Somerset! The video for was ‘You and I’ shot entirely on Clevedon Grade 1 listed pier. In it the band members walk down the pier and turn into each other as they trade lead vocals. the single reached the top 20 in the UK, and the top 10 in Ireland.
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