Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides (2011)

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Kent Film Office

Movie poster. Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow holding smoking guns in each hand with burning ships behind him.. Pirates of the Caribbean on stranger tides is written in a white panel in front,

Pirates of the Caribbean on Stranger Tides Poster © Disney

Directed by: Rob Marshall

Produced by: Jerry Bruckheimer

Starring: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, Kevin R. McNally, Geoffrey Rush

Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Kent Filming Locations: Knole

In the fourth instalment of the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean series, Johnny Depp returns as the lovable rogue Captain Jack Sparrow. On a quest to find the fabled Fountain of Youth, he is joined by veteran pirates Geoffrey Rush (returning as Captain Barbossa) and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s long time comrade, Joshamee Gibbs. Ian McShane makes his pirate debut as the murderous Blackbeard.

In this action packed tale, Jack is lured on board the ship of the notorious Blackbeard by the mysterious Penelope Cruz, a long lost love from his distant past. Racing against the Spanish and English Naval fleets to reach the Fountain of Youth; Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a whirlwind story of adventure, revenge and dangerous mermaids.

Directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Into the Woods), the film stars a host of acting talent including Johnny Depp (Sleepy Hollow, Alice in Wonderland), Penélope Cruz (Volver, Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Ian McShane (Lovejoy, Hercules), Kevin R. McNally (Legend, Dad) and Geoffrey Rush (Shakespeare in Love, The King’s Speech).

Knole Park near Sevenoaks was the Kent location used in the film. The large inner courtyard was filled with gallows intended for Gibbs.

Set in the heart of the only remaining medieval deer park in Kent, the beautiful 18^th Century house has been shown off to visitors for the past 500 years. Family home to the Sackvilles’, the house was also the setting for Virginia Woolf’s novel Orlando. Within its thirteen rooms, the stately home, it contains the world renowned Stuart furniture, paintings by Gainsborough and Many 17^th Century Tapestries.

Pirates of the Caribbean is not the only Hollywood film to recognise the beauty of Knole as a filming location. Costume Drama The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) was filmed there in 2006; it was the setting for many of the London night scenes. The inner courtyard was used to replicate the famous Whitehall Palace where grand arrivals and departures were depicted. The courtyard was also transformed for 2010 film Burke and Hare (2010) into a crowded market square complete with extras and stars Simon Pegg and Isla Fisher.

The film was released in cinemas in May 2011 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

The Inbetweeners (2010)

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Kent Film Office

L-R Simon (Joe Thomas), Will (Simon Bird) Neil (Blake Harrison) Jay (James Buckley) stood together in school uniform looking at the camera. Plain grey background behind them

L-R Simon (Joe Thomas), Will (Simon Bird) Neil (Blake Harrison) Jay (James Buckley) © Channel 4

Production Companies: Bwark Productions, Young Films

Kent Filming Locations: Central Park, Dartford

Returning for its third series, this hit comedy finds out what’s on the mind of the average sixth-form boy and discovers it’s less about college and jobs and more about getting to know girls.

Marooned in suburbia, The Inbetweeners follows four friends as they navigate the minefield of the Comprehensive Education with their hormones at full blast. There’s vomit, offensive language, and a trip to Thorpe Park.

None of the heroes are exceptional, all are distinctly average. And trying to convince the world they are sophisticated, sexy human beings usually ends in wretched disaster.

The new series includes scenes that were partly filmed in Central Park, Dartford.

Dartford is situated close to London with great travel links. The town is full of quaint architecture and great guesthouses and hotels and has been used for filming by productions including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Wasp (2003).

The Inbetweeners will be shown on E4 Monday 13th September 2010 at 10pm.

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

Burke and Hare (2010)

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Kent Film Office

Chair on set during the filming of Burke and Hare at Knole Park. Chair reads Burke & Hare

Chair on set during the filming of Burke and Hare at Knole, Kent © NTPL Megan Taylor

Director: John Landis
Writers: Piers Ashworth, Nick Moorcroft
Starring: Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Isla Fisher
Production Company: Ealing Studios, Fragile Films
Kent Locations: Knole House

Based on true-life characters of William Burke and William Hare, this black comedy has an all-star cast including Simon Pegg (The Good Night (2008), Hot Fuzz), Andy Serkis (War for the Planet of the Apes, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers) and Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers, Confessions of a Shopaholic) and is directed by the legendary John Landis (The Blues Brothers, Schlock). It tells the story of the two infamous but hapless nineteenth Century serial murderers, who discovered the lucrative trade of supplying cadavers to the medical community in Edinburgh. Burke and Hare find themselves unable to meet demand and start murdering people to keep up the supply.

Burke and Hare (2010) includes scenes filmed at Knole House, near Sevenoaks, which on a cold February day was transformed into a lively Edinburgh market.

Knole House is a popular filming location, having also provided locations for Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides (2011), Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Burke and Hare (2010) was released in UK cinemas on Friday 29th October 2010, and is now available to purchase on DVD.

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

The Last Word Monologues (2008)

Posted on August 19, 2008 by Kent Film Office

Three cast members standing posing for the camera against a black background. The women in the centre is wearing a blue jumper, the men either side of her are wearing dark clothes.

The Last Word Monologues ©BBC

Writer: Hugo Blick

Director: Hugo Blick

Starring: Bob Hoskins, Rhys Ifans and Sheila Hancock

Production Company: BBC Worldwide Ltd

Kent Locations Used: Puxtye Farm, Sandhurst

The Last Word Monologues is a comedy drama series depicting the lives of three different people which only have one thing in common: they are about to kill or be killed.

The dying woman who wants euthanasia is portrayed by Sheila Hancock (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Carry on Cleo, Bedtime). A man named Hugh who desperately wants to be free from his over bearing mother will be played by Rhys Ifans (The Amazing Spider-Man, Notting Hill, Snowden). An assassin who is waiting for a target in a lavatory is played by Bob Hoskins (Snow White and the Huntsman, The Long Good Friday, Who Framed Roger Rabbit). This series is written, produced and directed by Hugo Blick (The Honourable Woman, The Shadow Line, Sensitive Skin).

The Last Word Monologues features the Kentish location of Puxtye Farm in Tunbridge Wells.

Puxtye Farm has an Oast house and barn, both of which are listed as historical properties with Historic England. The Oast house offers a simplistic setting inducing a feeling of isolation within the quietness of the house and area. The barn has a rustic feel with it being filled with farm equipment; which is perfect for a character of a farmer to be placed.

The Last Word Monologues TV series was broadcast from Monday 25^th August 2008 on BBC One.The episode ‘Six Days One June’ featuring the Kent locations aired on Tuesday 26^th August 2008.

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

Wild Child (2008)

Posted on February 4, 2008 by Kent Film Office

Emma Roberts (Poppy), Linzey Cocker (Josie), Sophie Wu (Kiki), Kimberley Nixon (Kate) and Juno Temple (Drippy) all dressed in fancy dress posing at the camera.

Emma Roberts (Poppy), Linzey Cocker (Josie), Sophie Wu (Kiki), Kimberley Nixon (Kate) and Juno Temple (Drippy) on the set of Wild Child. Giles Keyte: copyright: © 2008 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Directed by: Nick Moore

Written by: Lucy Dahl

Starring: Emma Roberts, Natasha Richardson, Aidan Quinn, Alex Pettier, Shirley Henderson

Production Company: Universal Pictures, StudioCanal, Relativity Media, Working Title Films

Kent Locations: Cobham Hall

Emma roberts soaking wet emptying water from a red shoe with her bed behind

Emma Roberts and Kimberley Nixon in school uniform frowning at each other in a corridor full of students

Writen by Lucy Dahl, the daughter of literary giant Roald Dahl, “Wild Child” follows the antics of 16 year-old Poppy (Emma Roberts) on a search of self-discovery and maturity. Brought up in Los Angeles, Poppy has been living a selfish and spoiled existence. Fed up with Poppy’s attitude and behaviour, her father ships her off to an English boarding school where she’s faced with strict rules, curfews, school girl hierarchies and scary teachers. Will Poppy be able to remain the ultimate Wild Child?

Starring Emma Roberts (Hotel for Dogs, Nancy Drew), Natasha Richardson (The Parent Trap, Blow Dry), Aidan Quinn (Legends of the Fall, Unknown) Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike, I am Number Four) and Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Bridget Jones Diary Franchise).

Shot on location, “Wild Child” was mostly filmed at Cobham Hall, near Gravesend, in Kent. Already a boarding school for girls, the location was perfect for the film. The country house has become an increasingly popular filming location and has played host too many productions including The Great Fire (2014), the BBC’s adaptation of Bleak House (2005), and Agent Cody Banks (2003).

Laura Goldfinch as an extra on set - standing in school uniform on a field with cars parked behind

Laura Goldfinch as an extra on set © Laura Goldfinch

Local Kent girl Laura Goldfinch was lucky enough to be an extra on the film.

“On the fourth day of filming, two women approached me and revealed Kimberley Nixon, one of the young lead actresses, was absent and they needed a stand-in for three night shoots – me!!! I found myself whisked away into my very own trailer and travelled down to set in the same cars as Juno Temple, Alex Pettyfer and the amazing Shirley Henderson!”

“When the whirlwind rush of Wild Child was over, my life went back to normal, but my attitude towards my chosen career changed for the better. To this day I am grateful for having been given this opportunity and that Kent was chosen as the location for the Wild Child Production. Since Wild Child, I have gone on to have other successes working as a supporting artiste and actress in other Film and Television productions.”

Wild Child was released in cinemas in August 2008 and is available out on DVD.

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

Dani’s House (2008)

Posted on February 4, 2008 by Kent Film Office

Dani Harmer standing in front of a green and blue wall with a window, staring into the camera.

Dani Harmer in Dani’s House © BBC

Directors: Dex McCarthy, Jeremy Wooding

Writers: Paul Rose, Emma Ko, Holly Lyons, Kay Stonham, Joe Williams

Kent Filming Locations: Secret Location in the Maidstone Area

An aspiring actress, Dani is forever left to look after her irritating younger brother Max (Sebastian Applewhite), his side-kick Ben (James Ghandi) and the new baby. Trapped in the house Dani and her friends Toby (Harry Culverhouse) and Sam (Klariza Clayton) imagine that they are part of an elaborate television show called Dani’s House.

Unbeknown to the children, their make-believe show has attracted a rather unique audience:Zang and Zark, a couple of aliens, who display a remarkable resemblance to Dani and Toby!

The series plays host to many guest stars including Lil Chris, Matt Di Angelo and Kent’s own Shaun Williamson and was filmed entirely in Kent at a secret location near Maidstone.

Maidstone is the county town of Kent which has the River Medway running through it and boasts many parks, shopping areas, bars and restaurants and sports facilities. Nearby is lovely rural villages, and attractions such as Leeds Castle. The Maidstone area has been used for filming such as Rustom (2016) and Couples Come Dine With Me(2014).

Dani’s House was shown on BBC One at 4.35 on Friday afternoons from February 2008.

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

The Good Night (2008)

Posted on January 2, 2008 by Kent Film Office

The Good Night Film Poster- Four character faces in a grid, all with sleep masks over their eyes. The Good night is written in the middle

The Good Night Film Poster © Momentum Pictures

Director/Writer: Jake Paltrow

Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Martin Freeman, Penélope Cruz, Danny DeVito, Simon Pegg

Production Company: Good Night Productions, Inferno Distribution, Destination Films, Grosvenor Park Media, MHF Zweite Academy Film, Tempesta Films

Kent Filming Locations: Capel Manor House, Horsmonden

This romantic comedy, is the first movie written and directed by Jake Paltrow (Young Ones Boardwalk Empire) ,and is an adaptation of 2006 French film “La science des rêves”. The movie is set in London and New York, where a former pop star who now writes commercial jingles for a living, experiences a mid-life crisis.

The film stars the director’s sister Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man Series, Se7en) , as well as Penélope Cruz (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Vanilla Sky) Martin Freeman (Sherlock, The Hobbit), Danny DeVito (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, L.A. Confidential) and Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz).

The dream sequences were filmed at Capel Manor House in Horsmonden, Kent. The house was built in 1970, on the site of the old Capel Manor, which had been well known as a residence of Jane Austen.

The Good Night was released in cinemas in January 2008 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

Tittybangbang Series 3 (2007)

Posted on February 4, 2007 by Kent Film Office

The Italian Maid with a feather duster standing in an open doorway with fields behind

Production Company: Pett Productions

Kent Locations: Maidstone Studios

This popular sketch show, produced by Pett Productions, is back for its third series. The show has an almost entirely female cast led by Lucy Montgomery and Debbie Chazen and is partially written by Bob Mortimer. Some of the more well known characters include Italian Maid, a shy exhibitionist and Magwash who provides local villagers with long and obscure tales.

The pilot of the show almost doubled BBC Three’s average audience share and obtained the highest audience for a new comedy aired on the channel. The programme is also available on broadband allowing internet viewers to catch previews of the show and catch up on past episodes they missed.

Pett Productions was set up by Kent resident Bob Mortimer, Vic Reeves and Lisa Clark in 2001. The company is based at Maidstone Studios and filming takes place mainly in and around Kent.

Tittybangbang returns to BBC3 on Sunday 11^th November 2007.

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

Johnny English (2003)

Posted on November 2, 2003 by Kent Film Office

Johnny English Movie Poster - Rowan Atkinson in a suit and bow tie holding his fingers in a gun shape. Johnny English written in white. He knows no fear he knows no danger he know nothing written above.

Directed By: Peter Howitt

Written By: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & William Davis

Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Ben Miller, Natalie Imbruglia and John Malkovich

Production Company: Universal Pictures,StudioCanal,Working Title Films

Kent Locations Used: A2 Carriageway (leading to Jubilee Way) and the Port of Dover

After an unexpected bomb attack on the MI5, incompetent spy Johnny English is the only agent left alive when the crown jewels are stolen. English and his sidekick Bough (Ben Miller) are assigned to the case. For English, the prime suspect is mysterious French Entrepreneur Pascal Sauvage (John Malkovich). They soon learn the horrifying plan behind the theft, for Sauvage intends to wear them when he is crowned King of England.

The film is directed by Peter Howitt (Sliding Doors, Antitrust) and written by writing duo Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (SS-GB, Spectre), who met at University of Kent alongside William Davis (Puss in Boots, Ignition).

Rowan Atkinson (Bean, The Lion King) takes the feature role with a supporting cast of Ben Miller (Death in Paradise, The Armstrong and Miller Show), Natalie Imbruglia (Neighbours, Closed for Winter) and John Malkovich (RED, Dangerous Liaisons).

Johnny English soon meets Interpol Agent, Lorna Campbell (Natalie Imbruglia). After his case is taken away from him, she tracks him down and together they vow to stop Sauvage’s plan. As English and Campbell race to France they drive down the familiar A2 carriageway leading to Jubilee Way. Kent’s brief cameo continues as we see the car drive down Marine Parade past the sign for the Port of Dover.

The cameras would not have been a strange sight to local Dover residents. The town and surrounding landmarks have played host to many productions over the years. The famous Dover Castle alone has starred in many feature films. The site can be seen replicating another iconic British landmark like the Tower of London in the films Lady Jane (1987) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Johnny English is not the only spy to have visited the Port of Dover. In the famous 1971 film Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Sean Connery stars as the suave spy 007. The Port makes its appearance as 007 foils diamond smuggler Peter Franks and boards a hovercraft bound for Amsterdam.

Johnny English was released in cinemas in April 2003 and can now be purchased on DVD.

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

Little Britain – Season 1 (2003)

Posted on February 9, 2003 by Kent Film Office

Little Britain Characters stood on top of a cartoon map of the UK that is coloured like the United Kingdom flag. Little Britain is written to the left.

Writers: David Walliams, Matt Lucas

Starring: Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Tom Baker, Paul Putner, Anthony Head, Charu Bala Chokshi

Production Company: BBC, Little Britain Productions

Kent Locations Used: Herne Bay

Little Britain is a character-comedy sketch show from creators David Walliams and Matt Lucas, both of whom also star in the show. Exploring a variety of unusual and amusing characters residing across the British Isles, the first season of Little Britain was partly filmed in Herne Bay.

Heading the show as numerous characters are David Walliams (Big School, Come Fly With Me) and Matt Lucas (Bridesmaids, Come Fly With Me), also featuring other famous faces like Tom Baker (Doctor Who, Monarch of the Glen) as the narrator, Paul Putner (Kidulthood, The Peter Serafinowicz Show), Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Merlin) and Charu Bala Chokshi (Gandhi, A Fish Called Wanda) as supporting characters.

Herne Bay promenade and clock tower. Beach and sea can be seen to the right

Little Britain screenshot at Herne Bay

A number of different locations in Herne Bay appear in Season 1 of Little Britain as the home of cross dresser Emily Howard. The interior and exterior of the Bun Penny, the once well-known pub on Herne Bay’s seafront, features in episode one, while the clock tower appears in both episode three and episode eight. Other locations used include Central Parade and Central Avenue. Some of the Lou and Andy sketches are also filmed at Herne Bay.

Herne Bay is a traditional seaside town located on the Kent coast, with interesting Victorian architecture and a splendid seafront boasting glorious beaches. The town is a popular location, with previous productions such as Boomers (2014) and Big Bad World (2013) choosing to film there.

Little Britain ran for three more seasons and is available to buy on DVD.

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

Kent's Premier Film Commission