Ammonite (2020)

Image of two faces overlapping and facing one another - Actress Saoirse Ronan playing Charlotte Murchison and Kate Winslet playing Mary Anning.

Ammonite movie poster
© EF Neon

Writer: Francis Lee
Director: Francis Lee
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Kate Winslet, Fiona Shaw, Gemma Jones.
Production Company: See-Saw Films, British Film Institute, BBC Films
Kent Locations Used: Romney House, School Road, Charing, The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Ammonite (2020) is a film loosely based on the life of the acclaimed English fossil hunter Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) in 1840s England. Widely known for her contribution to prehistoric geology, she made ground-breaking Jurassic period discoveries as she spent time investigating the cliffs at Lyme Regis and Charmouth in Dorset. Whilst the film addresses Anning’s professional life, it also explores her private affairs and her struggles to make ends meet.

The film was written and directed by Francis Lee (God’s Own Country, The Farmer’s Wife) and Kate Winslet (Titanic, The Reader) stars as Anning alongside Saoirse Ronan (Little Women, Lady Bird) as her fellow geologist and companion Mrs Charlotte Murchison.

Kate Winslet as Mary Anning and Saoirse Ronan as Charlotte Murchison in Ammonite walking along a beach in Lyme Regis. Kate wears a blue coat and brown frock, her hair is plainly tied back and she carries a leather satchel across her shoulder. Saoirse wears a bonnet and black dress and walks behind. Waves are breaking behind them onto the beach and the cliffs are shrouded in mist..

Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan in Ammonite (2020) © See-Saw / British Film Institute / BBC / Cross City / Stage 6

A couple of scenes for the film were shot in Kent. Romney House, a grade II listed building in Charing, was used to stand in for a Lyme Regis property belonging to Dr. Lieberson (Alec Secareanu) where Mary and Charlotte attend an evening party. A further scene was filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, in which Mary Anning alights a boat just arrived to London Docks from Lyme Regis.

Charing is a quaint, traditional and beautiful village in the Ashford district of Kent and is situated on the historic Pilgrim’s way that stretches from London to Canterbury. The high street has many old whitewashed buildings comprised of brick and tile, some also exhibiting exposed timber frames. It is also home to the famous building the Archbishop’s Palace, a large manor house historically belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham was established in the mid-16th century and is located on the River Medway. A location with an extensive history, evident through its numerous buildings and exhibitions open to the public. The site offers maritime, industrial, Georgian and Victorian architecture and cobbled streets, an ideal set for many film productions. Recent feature films that have shot dockside scenes at the Dockyard include Red Joan (2019) and The Mercy (2018).

Ammonite is scheduled for release on Amazon Prime Box Office on Friday 26th March 2021.

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. 


Jude (1996)

Jude film poster- faint image of Kate Winslet and Christopher Eccleston's faces as a backdrop- underneath the two characters are dancing the the sand. JUDE written in yellow

Jude film poster © BBC Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Revolution Films

Director: Michael Winterbottom

Writer: Hossein Amini (screenplay), Thomas Hardy (novel)

Starring: Christopher Eccleston, Kate Winslet, Liam Cunningham, Rachel Griffiths

Production Company: BBC Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Revolution Films

Kent Locations Used: Kent and East Sussex Railway

Jude is a 1996 British period drama film about a self-educated stonemason who enters into an illicit affair with his cousin, despite them both being married to other partners. The pair is condemned to the margins of society which results in a horrific tragedy.

Michael Winterbottom (24 Hour Party People, Code 46) directs the film which is adapted by Hossein Amini (Drive, Snow White and the Huntsman) based on Thomas Hardy’s novel “Jude the Obscure”.

Jude stars Christopher Eccleston (Fortitude, Doctor Who), Kate Winslet (Titanic, Divergent), Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones, Safe House) and Rachel Griffiths (Blow, Saving, Mr. Banks).

Jude (Christopher Eccleston) and Sue (Kate Winslet) on the train. Sue has her head on Jude's shoulder.

Jude (Christopher Eccleston) and Sue (Kate Winslet) on the train © BBC Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Revolution Films

Jude filmed at Kent and East Sussex Railway where they filmed scenes of Jude (Christopher Eccleston) and Sue (Kate Winslet) on a train which was intercut with scenery from the North of England.

Kent & East Sussex Railway is a ten and a half mile rural light period railway which runs between Tenterden and East Sussex. The railway has also been used for filming by productions such as Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies (2016) and Last Passenger (2013).

Jude was released in October 1996 and is now available for DVD purchase.

 

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