Author: Kent Film Office

Last Orders (2002)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Last Orders Movie Poster - 6 cast members stood in a circle laughing at each other in a pub. Last Orders written in white

Last Orders Movie Poster © Metrodome Distribution Ltd.

Director: Fred Schepisi

Writer: Graham Swift (Novel) and Fred Schepisi

Starring: Michael Caine, Helen Mirren, Ray Winston, David Hemmings, Bob Hoskins, Tom Courtenay

Production Company: Future Films, MBP, Scala Productions, Winchester Films 

Kent Locations: Rochester, the Historic War Memorial in Chatham, The Mount – Old Wives Lees near Chilham, Canterbury Cathedral, Margate

Last Orders is based on the novel of the same name by Graham Swift, and tells the story of how one man’s death affects the lives of those close to him as his best friends make a journey to pursue his final wish to have his ashes scattered at sea.

Throughout the journey, Jack’s companions share their own individual memories of him and how he made an impact on their lives. Flashbacks are used throughout the film stretching through six decades telling the story of the group of London pals as they make their heart felt journey to say goodbye to their friend.

Directed by Fred Schepisi (Six Degrees of Separation, A Cry in the Dark) and starring a host of acting talent including Michael Caine (The Italian Job, Batman Begins), Ray Winston (The Departed, The Sweeney), Bob Hoskins (Made in Dagenham, Ruby Blue), David Hemmings (The Rainbow Jacket, Gangs of New York), Tom Courtenay (Doctor Zhivago, The Golden Compass) and Helen Mirren (Calendar Girls, The Queen).

Rochester was used as a stop off during the friend’s journey and you can see them drive over Rochester Bridge and also walk down the high street. Rochester is a historic City that boasts an impressive cathedral and castle and has many links with Charles Dickens. Previous productions to have filmed in the area include The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012)and Veer (2009).

The Historic War Memorial in Chatham features in film for the scenes where the men stop off and reminisce about their time at war. Nearby, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular location having been used for productions such as Dom Hemingway (2013) Call The Midwife (2012-2013) and Children of Men (2006).

The Mount in Old Wives Lees was also one of the stop offs on the groups journey and is used for the flashback scenes of how Jack met his wife Amy. Neighboring village to Chilham, has a remarkable fifteenth century square of black and white timbered buildings and has been used for a variety of filming projects including Channel 4 comedy Chickens (2011)and Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2005).

Canterbury Cathedral was used within the film as the characters make a stop to the grounds and look around the Cathedral. Canterbury is a vibrant City with parks and open spaces, shopping areas and neighbouring quaint, traditional towns. Previous productions that have shot in Canterbury include Canterbury Tales (2003).

Margate features in the final scenes of the film where the men scatter Jack’s ashes from the harbor arm. Margate is a delightful seaside town with a sandy beach, harbour, arcades, and period housing. The Old Town has lots to offer including galleries, quirky shops and trendy cafes. Margate is a popular location having previously welcomed productions such as BBC One’s improvised drama True Love (2012).

Last Orders was released in UK cinemas in January 2002 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham film poster- 6 family members stood in a row smiling at the camera. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham written in yellow

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001) © Dharma Productions

Writers: Karan Johar and Sheena Parikh

Director: Karan Johar

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor

Production Company: Dharma Productions

Kent Locations Used: Bluewater Shopping Centre

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… is an Indian drama which explores the troubles an Indian family faces when their adopted son chooses to marry a girl belonging to a lower social class.

three actors comforting each other at bluewater shopping centre. Shops and crowds seen behind

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001) at Bluewater © Dharma Productions

The film is directed by Karan Johar (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna) and also written by Johar with Sheena Parikh. The cast includes Amitabh Bachchan (The Great Gatsby, Mohabbatein), Jaya Bachchan (Kal Ho Naa Ho, Meherjaan), Shah Rukh Khan (My Name Is Khan, Kal Ho Naa Ho), Kajol (My Name is Khan, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai), Hrithik Roshan (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Jodhaa Akbar) and Kareena Kapoor (3 Idiots, Bajrangi Bhaijaan).

The production chose to film its main climactic scene in Bluewater Shopping Centre where mother and son are reunited.

Bluewater is one of the biggest shopping centres in Europe and is situated in an old chalk quarry bowl. The space is adaptable for a range of events and filming purposes and before it was a shopping centre previously featured in Doctor Who-The Mutants (1972).

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… was released in 2001 and is now available for DVD and online purchase.

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

The Others (2001)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
The Others film poster- Nicole kidman holding a lamp looking scared. The others written on top on a black background

The Others © Cruise/Wagner Productions

Directed by: Alejandro Amenabar

The Lime Walk, Penshurst Place- misty forest with trees

The Lime Walk, Penshurst Place © Cruise/Wagner Productions

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Christopher Eccleston, Alakina Mann, James Bentley, Eric Sykes

Production Company: Cruise/Wagner Productions, Sogecine, Las Producciones del Escorpión, Dimension Films, Canal+, Lucky Red, Miramax 

Kent Locations Used: Penshurst Place 

The Others is a supernatural thriller set in Jersey after the Second World War about a woman who lives in a darkened old house with her two photosensitive children and becomes convinced it is haunted.

The film features Nicole Kidman (The Golden Compass, Moulin Rouge), Fionnula Flanagan (Four Brothers, Tears of the Sun), Christopher Eccleston (Elizabeth, The Invisible Circus), Alakina Mann (Girl With the Pearl Earring), James Bentley (The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, Imperium: Nero) and Eric Sykes (Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire). 

The Lime Walk at Penshurst Place was used for the scene where Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman) is walking to the local village through the fog, and coincidently bumps into her husband who has returned from the war. Penshurst Place has previously welcomed other productions such as The Hollow Crown- Henry V (2012), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and Merlin (2008).

The Others was released in cinemas in November 2001 and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

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

The Bill (2000)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
The Bill Poster- headshots of all the cast members in a row with the bill written on top

The Bill Poster © ITV

Creator: Geoff McQueen

Starring: Graham Cole, Trudie Goodwin, Jeff Stewart, Russell Boulter, Tony O’Callaghan, Peter Ellis, Lisa Geoghan, Mark Wingett

Production Company: Thames Television

Kent Locations: Allhallows, Rochester

The Bill is an ITV police drama about the trials and tribulations faced by the officers working at Sun Hill Police Station in the fictional East London area of Canley.

Created by Geoff McQueen (Big Deal, Stay Lucky, Bureau Kruislaan), The Bill ran from 1984 – 2010 and won a number of awards including a BAFTA.

Throughout the years, the series starred Graham Cole (Doctor Who, Sooty), Trudie Goodwin (Emmerdale, Heartbeat), Jeff Stewart (Crossroads, The Mr. Men Show), Russell Boulter (Casualty, Isaac), Tony O’Callaghan (EastEnders, The Coven), Peter Ellis (Emmerdale, Acorn Antiques), Lisa Geoghan (Desmond’s, Honeymoon) and Mark Wingett (Snow White and the Huntsman, Far from the Madding Crowd).

bottle of Chardonnay with The Bill written on it

The Bill Chardonnay © Mike & Jacky Davies

The production visited Kent in 2000, to film a high speed car chase on Ratcliffe Highway in Allhallows Marshes and local residents were presented with their very own bottle of ‘The Bill Chardonnay’ as a thank you from the team.

Allhallows is a village set on the Hoo Peninsula in Medway with a church, creek, farmland and caravan park. The Medway area has featured on screen in productions including Jekyll and Hyde (2015), Great British Railway Journeys (2014) and Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows (2011).

The Bill aired on ITV between 1984 and 2010.

 

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

 

 

Essex Boys (2000)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Main poster of the Essex Boys production- black car with essex boys written in yellow

Essex Boys movie poster © Granada Film Productions

Writers: Jeff Pope, Terry Winsor

Director: Terry Winsor

Starring: Sean Bean, Alex Kingston, Tom Wilkinson, Charlie Creed-Miles, Larry Lamb

Production Company: Granada Film Productions

Kent Location: Dartford Crossing

Essex Boys is a British crime thriller based loosely around events in 1995 that culminated in the murder of three drug dealers in Rettendon, Essex. Young taxi driver Billy Reynolds (Charlie Creed-Miles) gives up his job to become the driver for gangster Jason Locke (Sean Bean) and finds himself in some difficult situations.

The film was co-written by Jeff Pope (Cilla, Mo) and Terry Winsor (Mad Money, Party Party) who also directs.

The cast features lots of familiar faces including Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, Lord of The Rings, Martian). Alex Kingston (Doctor Who, American Odyssey, ER), Tom Wilkinson (Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel). Charlie Creed-Miles (Ripper Street, Harry Brown) and Larry Lamb (Gavin and Stacy, Eastenders).

 The Essex Boys production team visited the Dartford Crossing to film scenes where the gang travels from Kent to Essex.

Dartford is a historic town situated close to London and home to one of Europe’s largest shopping centres. The Dartford Crossing – QEII Bridge has also been used as a film location for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010), London Spy (2015), Redemption (2013).

Essex Boys was released on 14th July 2000 and is now available to purchase on DVD.

 

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

Kevin and Perry Go Large (2000)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Kevin and Perry Go Large (2000) film poster- montage of images from the film with two white cars on top. Kevin and Perry go large written in pink on top

Kevin and Perry Go Large film poster © Icon Film Distribution

Director: Ed Bye

Writers: Harry Enfield, Dave Cummings

Starring: Harry Enfield, Kathy Burke, Rhys Ifans, James Fleet, Louisa Rix, Paul Whitehouse

Production Company: Tiger Aspect Productions, Icon Productions, Fragile Films

Filming Locations: Dover Castle

Kevin and Perry Go Large is a feature film spin-off from the popular character’s of Harry Enfield’s TV series and follows the teenage pair as they go on holiday to Ibiza in the hope of becoming superstar DJ’s and meeting girls. Their holiday is seemingly ruined when Kevin’s parents tag along but will meeting DJ Eyeball Paul make their dreams come true?

Portraying the comical duo is Harry Enfield (Skins, Bad Education) and Kathy Burke (The Catherine Tate Show, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) alongside Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, The Amazing Spiderman), James Fleet (The Vicar of Dibley, Four Weddings and a Funeral), Louisa Rix (Harry Enfield and Chums, Miranda) and Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show, Alice in Wonderland).

Dover Castle featured in the film during the opening scene where Kevin dreams about saving Anne Boleyn from execution.

Dover Castle is spectacularly situated above the White Cliffs of Dover and was first built in 1160 yet remains in the same condition as it was when first constructed. Productions that have shot at Dover Castle include Poirot’s The Clocks (2009), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and To Kill a King (2003).

Kevin and Perry Go Large was released in cinemas in April 2000 and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

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

 

Last Resort (2000)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Last Resort dvd cover- a family standing against a blue cladded wall- the women is stood to the left with her arm around the boy in the middle, the man is to the right with his hands in his pockets. Last Resort is written in white

Last Resort © BBC

Starring: Dina Korzun, Paddy Considine, Artyom Strelnikov, Adrian Scarborough

Production Company: BBC

Kent locations used: Margate

In director Pawel Pawlikowski’s debut feature film, a young Russian woman named Tanya (Dina Korzun) travels to the UK with her son, hoping to begin a new life with her fiancé. On arrival, airport security immediately question her intentions and feeling trapped, Tanya makes a rash decision to apply for political asylum. While their claim is considered, the pair are taken to the fictional seaside town of Stonehaven. Unable to get hold of her fiancé, Tanya has to face the reality that returning home isn’t going to be a quick or easy process and turns to arcade worker Alfie (Paddy Considine) for help.

The film stars Dina Korzun, (Cold Souls, Forty shades of Blue), Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz, Submarine), Artyom Strelnikov (Russian Ark), Adrian Scarborough (Les Misérables, The Kings Speech) and Bruce Byron (The Bill, The Mummy Returns).

Margate, in Thanet doubled as the fictional seaside town of Stonehaven, and was the setting for the majority of the film. Margate has always been a popular destination for tourists who are attracted to its beautiful beaches, harbour, arcades, and historic architecture. The town has previously welcomed programmes such as Edge of Heaven (2014) and Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys Outing (1989).

Last Resort was first released in cinemas on 22nd August 2000 and is now available to buy on DVD

 

 

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

CI5: The New Professionals (1999)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Kal Weber as Chris Keel and Colin Wells as Sam Curtis stand on a rooftop. The two men are both dressed in black and are pointing a gun at someone off-screen.

Kal Weber and Colin Wells in CI5: The New Professionals (1999) © Sky / Amazon

Creator: Brian Clemens
Starring: Edward Woodward, Kal Weber, Colin Wells, Lexa Doig, Adrian Irvine
Production Companies: David Wickes TV
Kent Locations Used: Brands Hatch

A revamped version of the 1970s TV series The Professionals, CI5: The New Professionals (1999) is a British crime-drama series about a group of specialists working in the fictional Criminal Intelligence Department 5, investigating acts of terrorism and anarchy.

The show was created by Brian Clemens (The Avengers, The Professionals) and the main cast includes Edward Woodward (The Wicker Man, The Equalizer) as Harry Malone, Kal Weber (Mile High, Hell on Wheels) as Chris Keel, Colin Wells (Titus, Casualty) as Sam Curtis, Lexa Doig (Arrow, Stargate SG-1) as Tina Backus and Adrian Irvine (Vera, Coronation Street) as Spencer.

Kent features in Episode 11 of the series, titled ‘High Speed’. Production visited Brand’s Hatch in Fawkham, which doubled as the Bluckner Race Track where some illegal gold smuggling was taking place.

Brands Hatch is a truly unique location – a motor racing circuit with views across almost all the Indy circuit, surrounded by woodland. The site also contains a rally course and off-road 4×4 course which are available for filming. Other productions to shoot at Brands Hatch include Grand Prix (1966) and Rush (2013).

CI5: The New Professionals aired on Sky One in 1999 and is now available to stream on Amazon Prime.

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

The World is Not Enough (1999)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
The World Is Not Enough Movie Poster- montage of movie images between flames, james bond stands in the middle with a gun, with women either side of him. The World Is Not Enough 007 written in gold

The World Is Not Enough © movieposterDB

Director: Michael Apted 

Writers:  Ian Fleming (Novel), Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (Screenplay)

Starring:  Pierce Brosnan, John Cleese, Sophie Marceau, Robert Carlyle, Judi Dench, Denise Richards

Production Company: Danjaq, Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists

Kent locations used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

The World is Not Enough is the nineteenth film in the James Bond series and sees Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan, return to protect the world from a nuclear bomb threat whilst protecting the heiress and daughter of an oil tycoon murdered at MI6.

Directed by Michael Apted (The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader) and starring screen favourites as Pierce Brosnan (Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day), Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, Trainspotting), Sophie Marceau (Braveheart, Beyond The Clouds), John Cleese (Fawlty Towers, A Fish Called Wanda) and Judi Dench (Die Another Day, Ladies in Lavender).

The World is Not Enough was a smash hit at the box office and became the highest earning James Bond film until Die Another Day was released in 2002. The film also won several awards for best film of its genre and best actor, Pierce Brosnan.

The Historic Dockyard in Chatham was used as the location for a section of the action packed boat chase at the start of the film where the boat goes across a road, through a boat house and down an arched alleyway. If you look closely you can see Chatham High Street just before Bond sails past the O2.

A popular filming location for the big and small screen The Historic Dockyard has also featured in productions such as Les Miserables (2013), The Golden Compass (2007) and the BBC adaptation of Oliver Twist (2007).

The film was released in November 1999 and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

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

The Mummy (1999)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
The Mummy Movie Poster- montage of images from the film, the main characters stands with a gun against an ancient wooden box.The Mummy written in gold

The Mummy Movie Poster © Universal Pictures

Directed by: Stephen Sommers

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz and John Hannah.

Production Company: Universal Pictures, Alphaville Films

Kent Filming Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

The Mummy is an action-adventure film which is about a team serving in the French Foreign Legion on an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Hamunaptra who accidentally awakens a mummy. As it calls up the ten plagues in revenge for the desecration of his tomb, the team face a race against time to stop the and put an end to the centuries-long curse.

The film is directed by Stephen Sommers (Van Helsing,  The Jungle Book) and stars Brendan Fraser (Inkheart, The Affair), Rachel Weisz (The Bourne Legacy, About a Boy) and John Hannah (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Sliding Doors).

Viewers may be surprised to learn that our very own The Historic Dockyard Chatham made a cameo appearance in the film. Hollywood transformed the popular location into Giza Port using CGI and an impressive 600 ft long set. Complete with steam ship and hundreds of extras, it truly looks authentic as the 1920’s Egyptian port.

One of the most popular filming locations in Kent, The Historic Dockyard Chatham has been used in various productions Features to TV programmes. With its cobbled streets, Georgian and Victorian architecture and period features spread across 80 acres, it has been the perfect location for films such as Les Miserables (2013) Sherlock

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is set over 80 acres and contains over 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings as well as cobbled streets and dock spaces. Projects that have previously filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham include  Downton Abbey (2013) and The Golden Compass (2007) among others.

The Mummy was released in cinemas in June 1999 and is now available on DVD.

 

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