10 Amazing Movies You May Not Have Known Were Filmed In Virginia
By Anna Strock|Published April 09, 2015
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Anna Strock
Author
Virginia staff writer for Only in Your State, freelance writer and journalist. Even though Anna has lived other places, somehow Virginia is where she always seems to land.
There’s nothing quite like sitting in a movie theater, popcorn in hand, and suddenly realizing that, hey, you know that place. Even if it’s a well-known site like Dulles Airport or an historical building in Richmond, just to know that you’ve likely walked those same halls or stood on the same steps, is a pretty amazing feeling. But, then again, thanks to the brilliance of Hollywood, there are times when those oh-so-familiar stomping grounds can take on an all-new look.
Here are just 10 of the many Hollywood chart toppers that have been filmed in Virginia. How many do you recognize?
Lincoln: An epic story told in an epic city. Well done, Richmond.
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field, this incredible drama was directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie was filmed in Richmond, Petersburg and Fredricksburg - perfect settings for telling the story of Abraham Lincoln and his family in the final four months of his life.
Starring Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renée Zellweger, Cold Mountain is a Civil War-era story that takes place in North Carolina, but features Richmond (Belle Isle) and Williamsburg in the filming. Renée Zellweger won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role. I'm not saying Virginia had anything to do with that, but it's still pretty cool.
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Sommersby: Rural Virginia came through for this beautiful film.
Also a Civil War-era film, Sommersby stars Richard Gere and Jodie Foster and was filmed almost exclusively in Virginia. Filming locations include Appomattox, Farmville, Charlotte Courthouse, Lexington, Warm Springs and Hot Springs.
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Gods and Generals: Where else would the story of “Stonewall” Jackson take place?
Based on the epic Civil War book of the same name by Jeff Shaara, this film stars Steven Lang, Robert Duval and Jeff Daniels. Following the career of Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, it features locations in Staunton, Leesburg, Lexington (including Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University) and Winchester.
Dirty Dancing: Nobody puts Baby in the corner, but we loved having her in Virginia.
Perhaps the movie most well-known for being filmed in Virginia, this classic coming-of-age story stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray. Many of the films' scenes took place at the real-life Mountain Lake Summer Resort in Pembroke. The film, which has gone on to become a cult classic, won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and a Grammy Award for best duet for the song, "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." If you’re anything like me, you can still sing it in its entirety, even on the days when you can’t remember your own phone number.
Starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman and Sean Young, this political thriller takes place in the Washington, D.C. area, with a number of scenes filmed in Arlington.
Dave: “Dave” doubles for the President and Richmond doubles for D.C. Seems fair.
Starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver, "Dave" is the story of a civilian who stands in as a double for the President, so it’s only fitting that scenes meant to look like the House Chamber in the U.S. Capitol building are actually Virginia’s House of Delegates Chamber in Richmond. A fun little sidenote: some state delegates stood in as extras. I've heard that politicians make the best actors...hmmmm.
Hannibal: The poster is creepy enough without thinking of him roaming the streets of Richmond.
Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Anthony Hopkins and Julianne Moore, this sequel to Silence of the Lambs, was filmed partially in Richmond, featuring the Richmond Farmer’s Market. Maybe it’s just me, but I would have a hard time looking at fresh produce the same way again.
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Evan Almighty: Steve Carell, a big boat and Central Virginia. These are a few of my favorite things.
This sequel to Bruce Almighty, stars Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman and Lauren Graham (who, FYI, grew up in Northern Virginia). While the storyline takes place in the D.C. suburbs, much of the filming took place in Crozet, Waynesboro, Charlottesville, Richmond and Staunton. Not exactly flood plains, but the perfect places to build a to-scale wooden ark, as it turns out.
Borat: Because my list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this one.
Borat may not be for everyone, but Sacha Baron Cohen’s mockumentary definitely got people talking. His real-life, gag-style antics included a rodeo, which was actually taking place in real time at the Salem Civic Center in Salem while the scene was shot. Apparently he and his crew got out before they started a riot with their…ummmm…less than conventional "acting."
Virginia may not be Hollywood, but we’re getting our fair share screen credits all the same. Places like Langley, the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery and other key political and military locations in Northern Virginia are an obvious choice for filming action movies about political intrigue. The Pelican Brief, Clear and Present Danger and Argo are just a few that have shot scenes in Northern Virginia. In Richmond, My Dinner with Andre and The Contender found perfect locations. With its incredibly preserved historic sites, not to mention better traffic and cost of living, Richmond is a perfect stand-in for Washington, D.C. and one of the best sites for period films. As for the rest of Virginia, with so much pristine nature, beautiful rural settings and quaint small towns, it’s no wonder movies get made here.
Have you had any movies filmed in your town or city? Better yet, have you or anyone you know had the chance to be part of one as a volunteer or extra? Tell us about your experience. We would love to know
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