Mr Turner (2014)

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Mr Turner (Timothy Spall) standing in front of a painting

Mr Turner © Entertainment One

Director/Writer: Mike Leigh

Starring: Timothy Spall, Paul Jesson, Dorothy Atkinson, Marion Bailey, Karl Johnson, Ruth Sheen, Lesley Manville

Production companies: Film4, Focus Features International, Lipsync ProductionsT, hin Man Films, Xofa Productions

Kent locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Stangate Creek

Mr Turner was written and directed by the acclaimed Mike Leigh and chronicles the last twenty-five years of one of the most celebrated artists in British history – J.M.W. Turner.

The biographical drama takes us back to the nineteenth century when Turner travelled and painted some of his renowned works, even though he was struggling with the death of his esteemed father. The film also highlights Turner’s eccentric behaviour which resulted in his being both celebrated and reviled by the public and royalty alike.

Mr Turner looking at a painting in his study. Paintings are also on the walls behind

Mr Turner © Entertainment One

Turner is played by BAFTA winner Timothy Spall (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The King’s Speech) and also stars Paul Jesson (Vera Drake, Rome), Dorothy Atkinson (Call the Midwife, All or Nothing), Marion Bailey (Persuasion, Meantime), Karl Johnson (The Illusionist, Hot Fuzz), Ruth Sheen (Run Fatboy Run, Vanity Fair) and Lesley Manville (Maleficent, Another Year).

The Mr Turner production visited The Historic Dockyard in Chatham where they used HMS Gannet which doubled for a pleasure vessel on the Thames as well as the scenes where Turner is tied to the mast of a ship in a storm to make some sketches for his painting Snow Storm- Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth. Stangate Creek was also used to film a rowing scene.

Turner had a rich history with Kent and drew inspiration for his works from a variety of locations including Stangate Creek, Margate and Whitstable. Now, the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate celebrates Turner’s association with the area.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham lies on the River Medway which boasts a dry dock, cobbled streets, industrial buildings and extraordinary Georgian and Victorian architecture. The location has previously featured on screen in productions such as Muppets Most Wanted (2014), Call The Midwife (2012-2014) and Sherlock Holmes (2009).

Stangate Creek is on the River Medway and has been used by feature film adaption Great Expectations (2012) as well as the BBC’s Great Expectations (1999).

Mr Turner is released in cinemas on Friday 31^st October 2014.

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

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (2014)

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Mr Whicher standing staring at the camera on a cobbled street.

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher – Paddy Considine © ITV

Production Company: Hat Trick Productions

Kent locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

ITV’s The Suspicions of Mr Whicher returns with two new TV films inspired by the real life career of the celebrated 19^th century detective.

Paddy Considine (The Bourne Ultimatum, The World’s End) returns as Jack Whicher with the new films written by playwright Helen Edmundson. The original The Suspicions of Mr Whicher film was shown in 2011 and based on the best-selling book by Kate Summerscale.

The first film “Beyond the Pale” is directed by David Blair (Accused, Bert & Dickie) and sees Jack Whicher has moved on from his role as Inspector at the Metropolitan Police to become a private inquiry agent. After being hired by a former Home Secretary to help investigate threats made against his son, Jack unearths the darkest secrets and finds himself in a maelstrom of betrayal and passion.

The second film “Ties That Bind” is directed by Geoffrey Sax (Endeavour, Tipping the Velvet) and is about Whicher reluctantly taking on a divorce case after the law has just passed and what seems a fairly straight-forward investigation turns out to be disturbing after one of the key witnesses fails to attend court and is found dead.

Paddy Considine walking along a street past a lady with baskets and rope. A ship can be seen in the background

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher – Paddy Considine © ITV

The Historic Dockyard Chatham was chosen as a film location where the production made use of a variety of spaces including exteriors at the street and gardens as well as HMS Gannet and interior spaces such as the Tarred Yarn Store.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular film location due to the variety of cobbled streets, industrial buildings and extraordinary Georgian and Victorian architecture. Feature films Muppets Most Wanted (2014) and Les Miserables (2012) as well as TV dramas Mr Selfridge (2012-2014) and Downton Abbey (2013) have also chosen to film at this diverse Kent location.

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: Beyond The Pale will be shown on Sunday 7^th September 2014 at 21:05 on ITV1 and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: Ties That Bind which will be shown on Sunday 14^th September 2014 at 21:00 on ITV1.

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

Our World War (2014)

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Soldiers holding guns running through war torn ground

Our World War © BBC/Joss Barratt

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Marking the centenary of World War One, Our World War is a new BBC Three drama series documenting the real experiences of young British soldiers who bravely fought in the war.

The three part drama draws on stories of World War One soldiers and aims to bring audiences closer than ever before to the real events.

The Our World War production team visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham where they filmed exterior street scenes before and after a shell explosion and The Ropery doubled as a forward command post.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a fantastic film location due to its mix of cobbled streets, industrial buildings and impressive Georgian and Victorian architecture. Feature films Les Miserables (2012) and Sherlock Holmes (2009 and 2011) as well as TV dramas Call the Midwife (2012-2014) and Oliver Twist (2007) have also chosen to film at this diverse Kent location.

Our World War starts on Thursday 7^th August 2014 on BBC Three at 21:00.

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

The Crimson Field (2014)

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Kent Film Office

osalie Berwick (Marianne Oldham), Kitty Trevelyan (Oona Chaplin), Flora Marshall (Alice ST Clair) dressed as midwives standing in front of old fashioned shelves

Rosalie Berwick (Marianne Oldham), Kitty Trevelyan (Oona Chaplin), Flora Marshall (Alice ST Clair) © BBC – Photographer: Todd Antony

Directed by: David Evans, Richard Clark, Thaddeus O’Sullivan

Written By: Sarah Phelps

Starring: Oona Chaplin, Kevin Doyle, Anthony Farrelly, Kerry Fox, Suranne Jones, Hermione Norris, Marianne Oldham

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

The Crimson Field is a 6 part WW1 drama created as part of the BBC’s First World War Centenary Season. It focuses on the story of three new voluntary aid detachment (VAD’s) recruits, Kitty Trevelyan (Oona Chaplin), Flora (Alice St. Clair) and Rosalie Berwick (Marianne Oldham), who have left their old lives behind to volunteer at a field hospital in war torn France.

When the three new VAD’s arrive at the field hospital in Northern France and begin putting their training into practise, they realise that the reality of volunteering is harsher than they imagined. Feeling under prepared, all of the girls must learn to cope with the traumas that war brings.

Starring Oona Chaplin (Game of Thrones, Quantum of Solace), Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey, Scott and Bailey), Anthony Farrelly (Midsomer Murders, New Tricks), Kerry Fox (Patrick’s Day, Trap for Cinderella), Suranne Jones (Scott and Bailey, Coronation Street), Hermione Norris (Outcasts, Spooks), and Marianne Oldham (Titus, WPC 56).

The Historic Dockyard Chatham was used as the port of Boulogne in Northern France, where the VAD’s disembark before heading to the hospital. HMS Gannet features as the ship and was recently the focus of a £3million restoration project, returning the ship to its former glory.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of Kent’s most popular filming destinations previously hosting productions such as Call the Midwife (2012-2013), Les Miserables (2013) and Sherlock Holmes (2009).

The Crimson Field is next on BBC1 on Sunday 13^th April 2014 at 9pm.

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

Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Kermit the frog standing in front of a wall of wanted posters featuring his face

Director: James Bobin

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Hugh Bonneville

Production company: Walt Disney Pictures, Mandeville Films

Kent Locations: Historic Dockyard in Chatham

Disney’s Muppets Most Wanted sees the whole Muppets gang on a grand world tour that takes an unexpected turn when they become involved with an international jewel thief who is a Kermit the Frog look-a-like.

Starring alongside the Muppets gang is Ricky Gervais (The Office, The Invention of Lying) Ty Burrell (The Incredible Hulk, Dawn of the Dead), Tina Fey (30 Rock, Mean Girls), and Hugh Bonneville (Notting Hill, The Monuments Men).

Picture of the puppets from the Muppets standing on a railway platform.

The Historic Dockyard in Chatham doubled as Berlin where Kermit decides to go for a lonely walk after having an argument with Miss Piggy. Upon entering a square he is duped by the evil Kermit look-a-like, leading to Kermit’s arrest.

The Historic Dockyard in Chatham is set over 80 acres and contains over 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings. It is a popular filming location and has been used for productions such as Call the Midwife (2012-2014), Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes – Game of Shadows (2011).

Don’t miss Muppets Most Wanted which is released in cinemas on 28 March 2014.

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

Ade at Sea (2014)

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Kent Film Office

Ade standing on a fishing boat with the sea and other boats behind

Ade at Sea © ITV

Production Company: ITV Studios

Kent Locations used: Thames Estuary – Redsand Forts, Whitstable Harbour, The Historic Dockyard Chatham

ITV’s new 5 part series, Ade at Sea, sees actor and presenter Ade Edmondson set sail to explore the history of Maritime Britain and meet people whose lives are still influenced by the sea today.

In the second episode of the series, Ade travels along the Thames Estuary visiting Kent locations such as The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Whitstable Harbour and Redsand Forts, also known as The Maunsell Forts.

With its cobbled streets, Georgian and Victorian architecture and period features spread across 80 acres, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular filming location having been seen on screen in productions such as Mr Selfridge (2013-2014), Les Miserables (2012) and The Mummy (1999).

Whitstable is a seaside town near Canterbury and is famous for its annual Oyster Festival as well as the delightful harbour, shingle beach, busy high street and strong arts and culture scene. Whitstable has been previously seen on screen in productions such as Things I Haven’t Told You (2008).

The Redsand Forts are metal and concrete structures which were built as bombing defences during the Second World War and are located 6 miles out into the Thames Estuary off the coast of Whitstable. They have previously been used on screen for projects such as a Prodigy music video and a Red Bull challenge!

Don’t miss the Thames Estuary episode of Ade at Sea which airs on Thursday 27^th March 2014 at 20:30 on ITV1.

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

Veer (2010)

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Kent Film Office

Zarine Khan walking in the snow holding a book with a bike behind her.

Zarine Khan as Princess Yashodhara © Eros International

Director: Anil Sharma

Writers: Salman Khan

Stars: Salman Khan, Mithun Chakraborty and Jackie Shroff

Filming Locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Rochester Castle

Set in 1875 and starring Bollywood legend Salman Khan as Veer, this is the love story of an Indian warrior under the British Raj. With the arrival of the British, Indian Kings and Nawabs entrust their treasured kingdoms to the foreigners. Not so Veer. Being a member of the Pindari, he prefers death to dishonour and decides to fight the invaders.

Salman Khan is Veer © Eros Entertainment

The stakes are raised when he falls in love with Princess Yashodhara (Zarine Kahn), daughter of a British collaborator and his sworn enemy, played by Jackie Shroff. Veer takes on the might of the British Empire and its allies not only for justice, but also to win his true love.

Salman Khan, who wrote the story for the film, gained one and half times his body weight to fit the role. Over 20 years in the making, Khan’s hard work and determination finally paid off when he completed his ‘dream project’.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham provided the perfect period location for Director, Anil Sharma, to stage a funeral sequence, a winter scene and a Victorian Street, all within its grounds.

Rochester Castle became the romantic backdrop for a musical sequence complete with horse and carriage.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is set over 80 acres on part of the site of the former royal/naval dockyard at Chatham. The site boasts 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings, cobbled streets and a Cold War submarine and Victorian ropery. Previously filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham include The Crown (2016) and Great Expectations (2012).

Rochester Castle is a 12^th Century Castle which prides itself on being one of the best preserved castles in England. The castle is set in beautiful gardens and overlooks the River Medway and has been used for filming by The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012).

Veer is out on DVD.

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

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Kent Film Office

Sherlock Holmes Poster

The Victorian Sleuth returns to our screens in an all action film

Director: Guy Richie

Writer: Simon Kinberg, Anthony Peckham

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan and Kelly Reilly

Production Company: Silver Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, Wigram Productions

Kent Filming Locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Boxing day 2009 saw the release of the new Sherlock Holmes movie directed by British filmmaker Guy Ritchie. Fans expecting a classic ‘Sherlock’ adaptation complete with smoking pipe and deerstalker hat will be disappointed. This interpretation of Holmes is fast paced and action filled, taking its cue from modern graphic novels.

Based on an unpublished comic book by Lionel Wigram, the film features

Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary characters Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and Dr Watson (Jude Law). Set in 1891, the film sees Holmes and Watson trying to stop Lord Blackwood’s (Mark Strong) conspiracy to destroy Britain. To thwart this deadly plot, Sherlock’s brilliance and intellect are called upon alongside some newly acquired skills:bare knuckle and sword fighting.

Directed by Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch) written by Simon Kinberg (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Jumper) and Anthony Peckham (Don’t Say A Word, Invictus) and starring Robert Downey Jr (Zodiac, Iron Man) and Jude Law (Cold Mountain, Alfie). Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls, The Notebook), Mark Strong (Body of Lies, The Young Victoria), Eddie Marsan (V for Vendetta, Happy-Go-Lucky) and Kelly Reilly (Pride & Prejudice, Me and Orson Welles.

Ritchie and the all star cast came to The Historic Dockyard Chatham to film parts of the movie. The Historic Dockyard Chatham proved to be an ideal location with its cobbled streets, industrial buildings and authentic Victorian architecture. If you watch carefully you will notice the following locations.

Punchbowl Pub interior: fight scene
Punch Bowl pub exterior: various characters entering the pub
Main Gate (the seal): entering the prison to see Blackwood
Hemp House 3: Hanging of Lord Blackwood
Ropery courtyard: Prison exterior scene with Holmes and Watson locked up in the prison yard
Chain and Cable shed: chase scene with hansom cabs before the slip 7 scene where the ship enters the Thames
Slip 7: The fight with Dredger around the ship in slip 7

Behind the scenes image of the shipyard at Ship 7 at The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Behind the scenes image of the exterior of the Punch Bowl Pub at The Historic Dockyard Chatham at the bottom of a cobbled street

Behind the scenes image of the exterior of the Punch Bowl Pub at The Historic Dockyard Chatham © The Historic Dockyard Chatham

The Historic Dockyard Chatham remains a top Kent filming location due to its unblemished historical surroundings, authentic backdrops, cobbled streets and Georgian and Victorian architecture. It has previously been used in productions such as BBC’s Oliver Twist (2007), The Golden Compass (2007) and Vanity Fair (2005).

Sherlock Holmes was released in cinemas on December 2009 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

The Bank Job (2008)

Posted on February 4, 2008 by Kent Film Office

Jason Statham standing behind an open train door staring away from the camera

Writer: Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais

Director: Roger Donaldson

Production Company: Mosaic Media Group , Relativity Media, Skyline, Atlas Entertainment, Omnilab Media

Kent Filming Locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Starring Jason Statham (The Italian Job, The Transporter) and Saffron Burrows (Boston Legal, Enigma), The Bank Job is inspired by true events. When Martine, an attractive model from Terry’s old neighbourhood, offers information on a bank, Terry finds that it is too tempting to resist.

By tunnelling their way into the bank, the crew not only walked away with a jackpot of over £3 million, but more importantly, stumbled upon scandalous Royal secrets. Almost as soon as the daring heist hit the headlines, the government fearing the release of the uncovered secrets put in place a gagging order that has shrouded the true nature of this crime for over thirty
years.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham provided the ideal double for a London railway station of the 70’s, as well as the post office scene in the closing stages of the film.

Set over 80 acres, The Historic Dockyard Chatham contains over 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings as well as cobbled streets and dock spaces. The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a poplar location for filming having previously featured in Rustom (2016), Downton Abbey (2013) and The World is Not Enough (1999).

The Bank Job was released in cinemas on 29^th February 2008 and is now available on DVD.

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

Sally Lockheart – The Shadow in the North (2007)

Posted on December 16, 2007 by Kent Film Office

Director: John Alexander

Starring: Billie Piper, JJ Field, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Matt Smith, Hayley Atwell

Production Company: BBC, NOVA/WGBH Boston

Kent Locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Sally Lockheart in a period dress facing someone who has their back to the camera.

The Shadow in the North is the second of the Sally Lockheart Mysteries and follows Sally, who, with the help of her detective friends, investigates her client’s losses of vast sums of money due to a vanished steam ship. The team find out that a mysterious stage magician and a psychic medium are part of the mystery, along with a very old enemy of Sally’s.

This BBC TV Movie is the second Sally Lockheart Mystery and is based on the 1986 novel of the same name by English author Philip Pullman.

Starring many familiar faces including Billie Piper (Doctor Who, A Passionate Women), JJ Field (The Musketeers, Captain America: The First Avenger), Matt Smith (Doctor Who), Hayley Atwell (The Duchess, The Sweeney)and Julian Rhind-Tutt (Rush, Stardust).

The Historic Dockyard in Chatham doubled as the exterior of North Star Castings gun shop, as well as London street scenes.

The Historic Dockyard in Chatham boasts many interesting features such as the HMS Cavalier, period buildings, cobbled streets and newly reconstructed smithy. Many productions have been shot at this location including Dom Hemingway (2013), Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Oliver Twist (2007).

The Shadow in the North was shown on the BBC in December 2007 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

Kent's Premier Film Commission