Emily Blunt

Into the Woods (2015)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Meryl Streep as the Witch crouched in a tree

Meryl Streep as the Witch in Into The Woods © Disney

Director: Rob Marshall

Writer: James Lapine, Stephen Sondheim

Starring: Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Christine Baranski, Billy Magnussen, Mackenzie Mauzy, Tracey Ullman, Daniel Huttlestone

Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures, Lucamar Productions

Kent locations: Dover Castle

Into the Woods is a film adaption of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award–winning Broadway musical of the same name which is a modern twist on several beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales.

The story follows the Baker and the Baker’s Wife’s who are unable to start a family due to the curse by a wicked Witch. Trying to break the spell, they encounter Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel.

Emily Blunt as the Baker's Wife and James Corden as the Baker in the woods looking shocked

Emily Blunt as the Baker’s Wife and James Corden as the Baker © Disney

Directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of the Geisha), the film has an ensemble cast with an array of acting talent including Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean series, Edward Scissorhands), Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada, The Hours), James Corden (Gavin and Stacey, The History Boys), Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen), Anna Kendrick (Twilight, Pitch Perfect), Chris Pine (Star Trek, Unstoppable) Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia, The Good Wife) , Mackenzie Mauzy (The Bold and the Beautiful, Brother’s Keeper), Billy Magnussen (As the World Turns, The East), Daniel Huttlestone (Les Miserables), and Tracey Ullman (The Tracey Ullman Show, Corpse Bride).

The Disney production visited Dover Castle in September 2013 which doubled as the King’s Castle, and features in scenes such as Cinderella attending the ball, her marriage to the Prince and a giant attacking a castle.

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 Poirot “The Clocks” (2009), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and Hamlet (1990).

Into The Woods is released in cinemas on Friday 9th January 2015.

 

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

Henry VIII (2003)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
close up of Ray Winstone wearing a gold crown looking away from the camera

Henry VIII © ITV

Director: Pete Travis

Writer: Peter Morgan

Starring: Ray Winstone, Charles Dance, Mark Strong, David Suchet, Danny Webb, Helena Bonham Carter, Emilia Fox, Sean Bean, Emily Blunt

Production Company: Granada Television, Power, Powercorp, WGBH

Kent locations: Leeds Castle

Henry VIII is an Emmy Award winning two-part TV movie, which follows the life of Henry VIII throughout his radical 38 year reign and unpicks the volatility of Henry’s nature, particularly when it comes to love, as he marries and discards a string of wives with quick succession.

Henry VIII was written by British film writer and playwright Peter Morgan and directed by Pete Travis (Dredd, Vantage Point).

The cast includes an array of renowned British actors, such as Ray Winstone (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Great Expectations), Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, Alien 3), Mark Strong (Kick Ass, Sherlock Holmes), David Suchet (Poirot, Great Expectations) Danny Webb (Alien 3, Valkyrie), Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd, The King’s Speech), Emilia Fox (The Pianist, Merlin), Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones) and Emily Blunt (The Young Victoria, The Devil Wears Prada).

Long shot of Leeds Castle and lake

Leeds Castle in Henry VIII © ITV

Historically, Leeds Castle was used as a palace by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon but the production chose Leeds Castle to represent exteriors of Henry’s castle in Richmond.

Leeds Castle is near Maidstone and is set within 500 acres of parkland and gardens and surrounded by a moat. Features include original marble bathrooms, a river and maze with shell grotto. The location has previously featured in productions such as Gadget Man (2014), Lady Jane (1987) and Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949).

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

Henry VIII was first shown on ITV in 2003 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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