Author: Kent Film Office

Sean Bean on Waterloo (2015)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
View from Fort Amherst- roofs of houses with the river Medway behind

View from Fort Amherst ©Kentfilmoffice

 

Starring: Sean Bean

Production Company: Wavelength Films

Kent Locations: Chatham, Fort Amherst

On the 18th June 1815, The Battle of Waterloo was fought between France and the Seventh Coalition; this year will mark the 200th anniversary of that Battle. To honour that anniversary, a two part documentary will air, presented by actor Sean Bean. The documentary will feature evidence from eye witness accounts, along with modern military experts to help tell the story of the conflict. Alongside military experts, Sean Bean will be testing tactics and weapons that were used during the battle and compare them with present day strategies. This documentary is hoping to “provide a ground level perspective” on the Battle.

The documentary has been produced by Independent company, Wavelength Films, and has been commissioned by A+E networks UK. Sean Bean has previously played fictional British soldier, Richard Sharpe on the historical war drama ‘Sharpe’ (5 May 1993 –9 November 2008). Bean himself said “I have always been interested in the story of Waterloo especially since I played the role of Richard”. He also stated that “[Sharpe’s] adventures were based on real events 200 years ago”. When this documentary was first announced Sean Bean stated “I am excited to be following the footsteps of Sharpe and those who fought in the Battle of Waterloo to tell the story of the iconic battle on history.”

Filming for this special documentary has taken place in Belgium and England, and has also included iconic locations like Fort Amherst in Chatham, Medway, Kent which has been used for weapons testing and re-enactments of the battle.

Fort Amherst has tunnels that have featured in many films, such as Sherlock Homles: A Game of Shadows (2011- the tunnels were used as the escape tunnels at the French Resistance in Paris) and The Mission (1986- Fort Amherst’s tunnels were used as part of the convent where Mendoza (Robert De Niro) is being held after he kills his brother).

The program will air on Sunday June 14th June at 10pm on the History UK channel, Sky: 529 and 530 (+1), Virgin Media: 234, BT: 327, TalkTalk: 327.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Mr. Holmes (2015)

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Mr. Holmes walking along a tree lined path

Mr. Holmes © See-Saw Films

Director: Bill Condon

Writers: Mitch Cullin (Based on the novel by), Arthur Conan Doyle (Characters), Jeffrey Hatcher (Screenplay)

Starring: Ian McKellen, Milo Parker, Laura Linney, Hattie Morahan, Patrick Kennedy

Production company: AI Film, BBC Films, FilmNation Entertainment, Archer Gray Productions, See-Saw Films

Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Mr. Holmes is a crime film starring Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, X-Men Trilogy) as a retired Sherlock Holmes dealing with the decline of his health and mental ability. He looks back at his incredible life, and with the help of Roger, his housekeeper’s son, Holmes seeks closure of an old, unsolved case.

Based on the seventh novel by author Mitch Cullin, the film is directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Fifth Estate) from a screenplay by Jeffrey Hatcher (The Duchess, Casanova).

Ian McKellen is supported by Laura Linney (Hyde Park on Hudson), Hattie Morhan (Summer in February), Patrick Kennedy (Warhorse) and the film introduces up and coming actor, Milo Parker.

For 5 days in July 2014, the Mr. Holmes production team visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent, to use Anchor Wharf as a street in Japan. They also dressed the Tarred Yarn Store as a Japanese restaurant and the exterior of the Ropery for a street scene.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham has previously been used as a film location by BBC for Call the Midwife (2015), ITV’s Arthur and George (2015) and Les Miserables (2013).

Don’t miss Mr. Holmes was released in cinemas on Friday 19th June 2015 and is now available for DVD and online purchase.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qng3t9RZk6Q

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

The Interceptor (2015)

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The Interceptor actors in an office L-R Valerie (LORRAINE ASHBOURNE), Cartwright (EWAN STEWART), Ash (OT FAGBENLE), Martin (CHARLIE DE MELO), Tommy (ROBERT LONSDALE), Kim (ANNA SKELLERN)

The Interceptor Valerie (LORRAINE ASHBOURNE), Cartwright (EWAN STEWART), Ash (OT FAGBENLE), Martin (CHARLIE DE MELO), Tommy (ROBERT LONSDALE), Kim (ANNA SKELLERN) © BBC/Des Willie

Creator: Tony Saint

Director: Farren Blackburn

Starring: O.T. Fagbenle Trevor Eve, Jo Joyner, Robert Lonsdale, Lorraine Ashbourne, Anna Skellern, Lee Boardman

Production Company: BBC

Kent locations: Nell’s Café and the A2, Gravesend

The Interceptor is a new BBC One eight-part series about state-of-the-art surveillance team, UNIT, whose mission is to track down some of Britain’s most wanted and dangerous criminals.

The series is created by Tony Saint (Margaret Thatcher: Long Walk To Finchley), directed by Farren Blackburn (Luther, The Musketeers) and stars O.T. Fagbenle (Looking, Breaking and Entering), Trevor Eve (Death Comes To Pemberley, Waking The Dead), Jo Joyner (Ordinary Lies, EastEnders), Robert Lonsdale (From Here To Eternity, Walking with the Enemy), Lorraine Ashbourne (Playing The Field, King Kong), Anna Skellern (Gambit, Heading Out), and Lee Boardman (Da Vinci’s Demons).

In March 2014, The Interceptor production team visited Gravesend where they filmed at Nell’s Café, an old style truck stop cafe and the A2 alongside it.

Gravesend is on the south bank of the River Thames and boasts a cast iron pier, promenade and high street as well as international links at the nearby Ebbsfleet International station. The Gravesend area has previously welcomed film productions such as Babylon (2014), Great British Railway Journeys (2014) and Age of Heroes (2011).

Don’t miss The Interceptor which starts on BBC One on Wednesday 10th June 2015 at 21:00.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Armada: 12 Days to Save England (2015)

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Anita Dobson as Queen Elizabeth I sitting in a large dark room with her hand on a globe

Anita Dobson as Queen Elizabeth I – ©BBC

 

Presenter: Dan Snow

Historical Consultant: Geoffrey Parker

Starring: Anita Dobson

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations Used: Penshurst Place and Gardens

Armada: 12 Days to Save England is three part docudrama focusing on Queen Elizabeth I and the attack of the Spanish Armada during the summer of 1588, when England was the closest it’s ever been to being conquered.

The show combines CGI and dramatic reconstruction with discussions from leading historians. The show hopes to bring a unique insight to the dramatic historical event, when King Philip II of Spain ordered the invasion of England. The programme benefits from historical analysis of previously unseen letters written by Spanish commanders regarding their military decisions on board the ships.

For four days in December 2014, the production team visited Penshurst Place, which they described as the ‘perfect location,’ to film in a variety of rooms, including The Crypt, Sunderland Room and the Italian Gardens.  These areas were used as Queen Elizabeth’s bedchamber, as well as King Philip’s office, bedroom and chapel. In addition, a prison cell was set up at the location.

Previously, Penshurst Place has also welcomed the productions of Wolf Hall (2015), The Hollow Crown – Henry V (2012) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Don’t miss episode 2 of Armada: 12 Days to Save England which airs on Sunday 31st May 2015 at 9.00pm on BBC2.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites (2015)

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Mary Berry standing in front of a kitchen with her elbow leant against the counter top

Mary Berry – ©Shine TV

Starring: Mary Berry

Production Company: Shine

Kent Locations: Kingsgate Bay, Broadstairs

Mary Berry hits the road and revisits her favourite places in the UK, using them as inspiration for her food. As part of a six part series, the first episode will feature Kent.

Using simple and easy to follow recipes, Mary Berry’s dishes are extremely user friendly. The series shows Mary Berry travelling from the seaside to the countryside, to farmers’ markets and allotments; all the while suggesting that not a lot of money is needed to make a wholesome meal for the family.

Growing up in WWII Britain, Mary Berry explains that her mother made all their family meals from scratch. Mary demonstrates her joy of getting stuck in as she forages for wild mushrooms and learns to fly fish.

The first episode shows Mary Berry exploring the Kent Coast for seafood inspired meals and desserts. In the episode, Mary even visits Morellis Gelato in Broadstairs, which she admits has hardly changed at all since she first visited.

Broadstairs provides sandy beaches and relaxing cliff tops walks and has been a setting for many films, such as Edge of Heaven (2014 – some parts of Broadstairs were used to double as places in Margate), Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys’ Outing (1989 – Broadstairs Police Station, which is now a pub on Gladstone Road) and many more.

Viewers can also see Broadstairs in last year’s The Great British Bake Off, as the team visited Viking Bay beach.

 

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

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the artificial intelligence, Ulton staring at the camera with a building behind

Ultron in Marvel’s Avengers ©Marvel 2015

Director: Joss Whedon

Writer: Joss Whedon (Screenplay), Stan Lee, Jack Kirby (Comic Book)

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, James Spader, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Cobie Smulders

Production company: Marvel Studios

Kent locations: Dover Castle

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) is the next thrilling installment set in the Marvel Universe and is a follow up to the award winning film, Avengers Assemble (2012).

At the heart of the story is Iron Man, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) who attempts to start a peacekeeping program based around Artificial Intelligence. However, inevitably things take a turn for the worse when the autonomous technology runs awry and the initial attempt of mediation turns sour. It is up to The Avengers including; Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and adding Hawkeye (Clint Barton) to come to the rescue and save the planet as its population hangs in the balance.

Hawkeye (Clint Barton) running through a snowy forest as there's an explosion in the background

Hawkeye (Clint Barton) ©Marvel 2015

Directed by Joss Whedon (Avengers Assemble, Much Ado About Nothing), the film has a star studded ensemble cast with an array of acting talent including Robert Downey Jr (Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man 3 ), Scarlett Johansson (Lucy, Lost in Translation), Chris Evans (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers Assemble), Chris Hemsworth (Thor: The Dark World, Star Trek), James Spader (The Blacklist, Boston Legal), Tom Hiddleston (Thor: The Dark World, Avengers Assemble) Samuel L. Jackson (Django Unchained, Pulp Fiction) Mark Ruffalo (Avengers Assemble, The Kids are alright) and Jeremy Renner (The Bourne Legacy, The Hurt Locker).

The Marvel Studios production visited Dover Castle in June 2014 for a week to film several action sequences and local runners were involved to ensure a smooth shoot. Dover Castle was used as part of the interior for the Hydra Outpost in Sovokia and you may also be able to spot the entrance to the wartime tunnels that is used a secret entrance.

Dover Castle is a stunning medieval castle situated on the White Cliffs of Dover, overlooking the English Channel. Dover Castle is a popular film location having featured in Into the Woods (2015), Poirot “The Clocks” (2009), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and Hamlet (1990).

Avengers Age of Ultron was released in cinemas on Thursday 23rd April 2015 and is now available on DVD.

 

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Secrets of Great British Castles (2015)

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Dan in front of Dover Castle keep

Dan in front of Dover Castle keep © Sideline/Group M

Production Company: Sideline

Kent Locations: Dover Castle

A new Channel 5 series, Secrets of Great British Castles, sees historian Dan Jones explore the history and legends of the UK’s great fortresses.

As Dan gets glimpses behind the walls of these British strongholds, he discovers the stories of drama, romance, rebellion, royalty and murder which have come to define the last 1000 years of British history.

The first episode in the series features  Dover Castle and takes Dan behind the battlements. He descends down into the underground and discovers the vast network of tunnels which were used to defend both the castle and the country for centuries.

Dover Castle is a medieval castle situated on the top of the White Cliffs of Dover. It was founded in the 12th century and has been described as ‘The Key to England’ due to its defensive significance throughout history. It is the largest castle in England and boasts and extensive network of underground tunnels.

The castle is now open to visitors throughout the year and is managed by English Heritage.

Whilst filming at Dover Castle, the production also visiting The Grand Shaft, a unique 1800s triple spiral staircase used as a defence system for the rapid movement of troops from the cliff top to the beach in Dover.

Dover Castle has previously welcomed productions such as Into The Woods (2015), BBC One’s drama Wolf Hall (2015), and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Don’t miss the first episode of The Secrets of Great British Castles featuring Dover Castle on Channel 5 at 20:00, 3rd April 2015.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Arthur & George (2015)

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Martin Clunes and Arsher Ali stood next to each other looking at the camera

Martin Clunes as Arthur and Arsher Ali as George ©ITV/DOYLE 2014 LTD

Starring: Martin Clunes, Charles Edwards, Arsher Ali, Art Malik, Hattie Morahan, Emma Fielding,

Production company: Buffalo Pictures

Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Martin Clunes (Doc Martin, Men Behaving Badly) stars as the celebrated novelist and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in ITV’s three part adaptation of Julian Barnes’ acclaimed novel, Arthur & George.

Written by Ed Whitmore, the drama is based on true events in Conan Doyle’s life who famously wrote the Sherlock Holmes detective novels.

Arthur (Martin Clunes), Alfred (Chales Edwards) and George (Arsher Ali) meet to discuss the case in a courtroom

Martin Clunes as Arthur, Charles Edwards as Alfred and Arsher Ali as George ©ITV/DOYLE 2014 LTD

Set in 1906 in Staffordshire, Hampshire and London, the drama follows Sir Arthur and his trusted secretary, Alfred ‘Woodie’ Wood (Charles Edwards) as they investigate the strange case of George Edalji (Arsher Ali),  a young Anglo-Indian solicitor, imprisoned for allegedly mutilating animals and writing obscene letters.

Arthur & George explores what we think we know about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s life and is a truly fascinating insight into one of the most famous and well known British writers today.

The cast and crew filmed for one day at The Historic Dockyard Chatham where they recreated several day and night street scenes.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham lies on the River Medway and boasts a variety of Georgian and Victorian architecture, maritime environment, dry dock, cobbled streets, and industrial buildings. The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular film location which has previously featured in productions such as Mr Turner (2014), Call The Midwife (2012-2015) and Children of Men (2006).

Arthur & George starts on ITV1 on Monday 2nd March 2015 at 9pm.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Top Gear – Series 22, Episode 3 (2015)

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James May, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond staring into the boot of a car

James May, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond ©BBC Worldwide Ltd

Production company: BBC

Kent Locations Used: MOD Training Area – Lydd

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May return to Kent to conduct research into the public health services in their attempt to revamp, enhance and improve the Ambulance.

They begin with a joint belief that the very big diesel vans are in need of an upgrade. Putting their thinking caps on, the presenters each focus on one area of the vehicle they feel they could improve.

While Hammond focuses on getting other drivers out of the way more effectively, May tries to reevaluate passenger comfort and Clarkson, unsurprisingly, aims to create a ‘sports ambulance’.

Who will get to the scene first and whose new ambulance reacts best in an emergency?

Catch the team in Lydd where the presenters test their vehicles to the limit. Lydd Ranges is a large training area on East Sussex border and boasts barrack style camps, seafront, lakes and whole villages marked as training areas. It was previously used in Ginger and Rosa (2012).

Episode 3 of Top Gear is aired on Sunday 8th February  2015at 8:00pm on BBC2.

Wolf Hall (2015)

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Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn and Damian Lewis as King Henry Eighth on the Wolf Hall set

Anne Boleyn (CLAIRE FOY), King Henry VIII (DAMIAN LEWIS), © BBC Company Productions Ltd

Writer: Peter Straughan, Hilary Mantel (novel)

Director: Peter Kosminsky

Starring: Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, Claire Foy, Mark Gatiss, Jonathan Pryce

Production company: Company Pictures

Kent locations: Penshurst Place, Dover Castle

This January, BBC Two airs new British drama Wolf Hall, charting the meteoric rise of Thomas Cromwell in the Tudor Court, from his lowly start as a blacksmith’s son to becoming Henry VIII’s closest advisor.

The six part series is based on Hilary Mantel’s Booker Prize-winning novels, Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies and the screenplay was written by Oscar-nominated Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Frank).

BAFTA-winning Peter Kosminsky (Britz, The Promise) directs the miniseries which boasts a host of acting talent, such as Mark Rylance (Britz, Hamlet), Damian Lewis (Homeland, Romeo and Juliet), Claire Foy (Season of the Witch, Crossbones), Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Game of Thrones) and Jonathan Pryce (Brazil, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest).

Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell and cast members behind the scenes on Wolf Hall being filmed by camera crew on a pathway

Thomas Cromwell (MARK RYLANCE) ©BBCCompany Productions Ltd

In May 2014, the production team visited Penshurst Place to film at a variety of rooms to double for York Place and Whitehall. In July 2014, the production returned to Kent, this time filming at Dover Castle which doubled as The Tower of London for the execution of Anne Boleyn scenes.

Penshurst Place is a Medieval and Tudor fortified style manor house set in gorgeous parkland in West Kent and boasts formal Elizabethan gardens. Penshurst Place is a popular film location, having previously welcomed productions such as The Great Fire (2014), The Hollow Crown – Henry V (2012) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Dover Castle is a stunning medieval castle situated on the White Cliffs of Dover, overlooking the English Channel. Dover Castle has previously been used for filming by a variety of productions including Into The Woods (2015), Poirot “The Clocks” (2009) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Wolf Hall also features in the Kent Film Office Tudor(ish) Trail which celebrates Kent’s Tudor history and film connections.

Wolf Hall aired on BBC Two from Wednesday 21st January 2015 at 21:00 and is now available for DVD and online purchase.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.