Shot in Glasgow, Scotland, as sets for other places
I've been to Philadelphia in 2012, Moscow in 1983, San Francisco in 1973, New York circa 1900, Zululand in 1879, and walked the streets of Edinburgh and London - all without ever leaving Glasgow! so I compiled this list of film/program sets made outdoors - ostensibly for other locations.
I welcome any comments, corrections and suggestions.
I welcome any comments, corrections and suggestions.
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- DirectorTom TykwerLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsTom HanksHalle BerryHugh GrantAn exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.San Francisco 1973 was built over the steeply sloped Douglas St, G1, and this was by far my favourite set. The cars and costumed extras were authentic, even road markings, graffiti and posters on the wall were faithfully recreated. A particular mural that was posted on a wall looked good at first - but when I describe it verbally I sound like a poet philosopher it's so powerfully moving. Will post my photo of this mural - and close-ups of the posters - on the movie's forum in due course.
- DirectorMarc ForsterStarsBrad PittMireille EnosDaniella KerteszFormer United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop a zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatens to destroy humanity itself.Philadelphia 2012 - was filmed around George Square, city centre. I can't even watch the trailer without recognising every building in the background! But walking through the set really felt like being immersed in the US city. Off-shooting this set drew hundreds of tourists from all over Glasgow. This one I really must see - and I expect this one to be super-popular in Glasgow when it's released.
- DirectorTerry JonesStarsJohn CleeseTerry GilliamEric IdleThe comedy team takes a look at life in all of its stages in their own uniquely silly way.The Zulu war scene was filmed at the foot of the Campsies - so no, "Glasgow" was not a typo or any inference to Glasgow's violent reputation. You really can shop on Sauchiehall Street without getting impaled by a spear or mauled by a tiger.
- DirectorDanny BoyleStarsEwan McGregorEwen BremnerJonny Lee MillerRenton, deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, tries to clean up and get out despite the allure of drugs and the influence of friends.All the stories are set in Edinburgh, but this is a very difficult City to drive through by yourself let alone with a fleet of trucks and vans for all the equipment. (I suspect Acid House and Irvine Welsh's Ecstasy may also be set - in part - in Edinburgh but I'll need to read the books again, or watch the movies, to verify this.)
Furthermore, the scene where our protagonists are crossing the road in London with their suitcase - was filmed on Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street. - DirectorJustin LinStarsVin DieselPaul WalkerDwayne JohnsonHobbs has Dominic and Brian reassemble their crew to take down a team of mercenaries, but Dominic unexpectedly gets sidetracked with facing his presumed deceased girlfriend, Letty.Set in London but filmed right in front of the office where I worked. We even watched the Flipper being rolled off a trailer but I forgot to capture it on my mobile! This set did not look radically different at first - until one took a closer look at the cars parked on it: all the police vehicles had London Met livery and one could spot modifications to tyres and suspension on some vehicles (plus, they all had cards in the window labelling them as 'Stunt Tank')
- DirectorMichael AptedStarsWilliam HurtLee MarvinBrian DennehyA Moscow police officer investigates a vicious triple homicide and stumbles upon a high-level international political conspiracy.TBH this was before I moved to Glasgow and I've not watched this with a view to spotting familiar sites. But will do when I get my hands on a copy - my recollection of this was of an excellent and atmospheric thriller.
- StarsAlec GuinnessMichael JaystonAnthony BateIn the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced out of semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.Again, before my time, but a Glasgow location was used for the scenes set in Cold War Czechoslovakia. I've got this on DVD but if I put it on now - I'll be (for a third time) locked into watching the whole 4-DVD series, a precious part of my collection this is.
- DirectorDavid DhawanStarsRishi KapoorSalman KhanAmeesha PatelRaj Saxena (Salman Khan) goes to London, expecting his long-lost dad (Rishi Kapoor) to warmly greet him, but things do not go as planned.Yes, a Bollywood film uses Glasgow as a set for London. I've not seen it but might get around to it if it's featured somewhere - say GFT? - and suitably subtitled.
- DirectorEuros LynStarsEddie ShinJaime WinstoneTalulah RileyThe year is 2012 and only Buddhist kung-fu cop Terry Phoo and teenage ne'er-do-well Whitey Action can save London and the Nation as a whole from mutant criminals who are taking over.Again Glasgow is used for London - watched it, loved it, but I missed the filming. I really wish I got to see in the flesh that Lancia Stratos or Jaime sporting Bhudda's loincloth. Shame.
- DirectorTerence DaviesStarsGillian AndersonDan AykroydEleanor BronA woman risks losing her chance of happiness with the only man she has ever loved.Glasgow's architecture and theatres were deemed a good match for New York circa 1900. Saw part of the set in Kelvingrove park myself - but I probably will never bother actually viewing this particular film even if it does star Dan Ackroyd who I do like.
- DirectorDavid MackenzieStarsJamie BellRuth MilneJohn Paul LawlerHallam's talent for spying on people reveals his darkest fears-and his most peculiar desires. Driven to expose the true cause of his mother's death, he instead finds himself searching the rooftops of the city for love.Ostensibly all set in Edinburgh but filmed in Glasgow - most likely for the same reasons Danny Boyle did the same with Trainspotting. Have not seen this but the blurb says it's set on the roof-tops! How they dodge the University Tower, Trinity College and Park Church spires - which you can see from 20 miles away - yet account for the absence of the Seat and the Castle... I will have to see.