Into the Woods (2015)

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. 


Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides (2011)

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 18th 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 17th 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. 


Finding Neverland (2004)

 

Main actor Johnny Depp crouched down in a white shirt staring up at a child who is dressed as a cowboy.

Johnny Depp seen playing with one of the children ©Finding Neverland (2004)

 

Writer: Allan Knee, David Magee

Director: Marc Forster

Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell, Dustin Hoffman

Production Company: Miramax, FilmColony, Keylight Productions

Kent Locations Used: Filmed at Laredo Wild West Town in Kent

Renowned playwright James M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) having received bad reviews for his latest play, meets the Llewelyn Davies family when walking his dog to try and clear his mind. Barrie befriends the recently widowed Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet) and her four adolescent sons, including Peter (Freddie Highmore). Confiding in Sylvia, Barrie discusses his unhappy childhood which may be the reason for his unwillingness to grow up. Creative and childish play with the boys inspires Barrie to write the now classic play ‘Peter Pan’ about a boy who never grows up.

Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands, Pirates of the Caribbean), Kate Winslet (Titanic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Julie Christie (Away From Her) and Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man) head the cast, introducing Freddie Highmore as Peter.

Filming in various places in the UK. Production shot a short fantasy sequence at the Laredo Wild West Town. The town features in multiple fantasy playing sessions set in the Wild West, when Barrie (Johnny Depp) plays with the Llewellyn Davies boys.

Laredo Wild West Town is tucked away in the North Kent countryside and has previously featured in cult tv series Red Dwarf – Gunmen of the Apocalypse (1993).

Finding Neverland was released in UK Cinemas on 29th October 2004.

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