Filmmakers all over the world love using Bath’s unique and historic architecture as backdrops to their films and with the city being a popular spot for period dramas, both on the big and small screen, it’s likely that you’ll recognise some of the more well known spots when watching your favourite films and TV Shows!
We’ve put together a list of the locations filmmakers have used in popular films while in the city – have you seen any of these?
- Les Miserables
The 2013 version of Les Miserables starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe was pretty much all filmed on location in England and the scene of Javert’s demise takes place at Pulteney Bridge and Weir.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu2F5u8BEBv/ - Vanity Fair
The adaptation of Vanity Fair starring Reese Witherspoon was shot in several places in Bath including Great Pulteney Street, Beauford Square, Sydney Place and the Holbourne Museum.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvg3Vr7lo-E/ - Persuasion
Jane Austen lived in Bath, so it makes sense for one of her novels to be adapted for screen using locations in the city. The ITV film adaptation uses shots of the Royal Crescent, the Assembly Rooms, Royal Victoria Park, the Pump Rooms, Abbey Churchyard, Dyrham Park, Bennett Street, the Circus, Bath Street and more locations in and around the city.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvdtgWnnUs9/ - Harry Potter
Harry Potter fans will already know that Lacock, just on the outskirts of Bath was one of the locations used for Hogwarts. You’ll find shots of Lacock Abbey in the adaptations of the Philosopher’s Stone, the Chamber of Secrets and the Half Blood Prince as well as the second Fantastic Beasts film.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvk5TVTn19E/ - Fantastic Mr Fox
Even animations feature famous Bath locations, the Wes Anderson stop motion film of Fantastic Mr Fox has a scene set at the Little Theatre, which can be seen as a model during the film’s climax.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlvaF6PnTox/
Bath isn’t the only place regularly used for filming in the immediate area, the neighbouring city of Wells is also a popular location and shows such as Poldark use the smaller towns and villages around the city as their base. Fantastic Mr Fox isn’t the only animation that features Bath landscapes either, KinMoza, the Japanese anime is set at Fosse Farmhouse, a B&B on the outskirts of the city.
Want to know more about films in Bath? Remember to keep your eyes peeled for the Film Festival!
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