Did you know that Northwest Florida has been the set for many famous movies? From the coastal charm, to the breathtaking scenery to the historical military bases, Florida’s dazzling Emerald Coast has much to offer those in the entertainment business. Many films have been captured throughout this stunning region, such as Jaws 2, Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon, and the Truman Show.
In the early 1940’s, a Warner Brothers production crew working with Director Michael Curtiz produced a World War II movie called Dive Bomber. While the movie was mainly filmed in San Diego, background shots were filmed at Eglin Air Force Base. Dive Bomber went on to be a box office hit in 1941, grossing over $1 million.
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| Photo from Destin Log |
After being a huge hit at the box office, Jaws was followed by the sequel, Jaws 2. Even though the movie takes place in Martha’s Vineyard, a lot of the filming took place in the Destin Harbor and Choctawhatchee Bay. In Jaws, the unruly conditions in Cape Cod made it extremely difficult for the film crew to shoot. The Barrier Islands on the Gulf of Mexico filming conditions much better for the sequel.
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| Image: KunstlerCast.com |
In the late 1990’s director Peter Weir needed a location that had some sense of “perfectness” to it. After only one day of being on site, Weir and his staff agreed that Seaside was the ideal location to shoot The Truman Show. Many extras were used to add the uniqueness of the quaint seaside town, but the scenery needed no help. The picturesque little pastel houses with impeccable white picket fences and thriving rose bushes standing against a stunning gulf backdrop… this impossibly perfect town was, without a doubt, the idyllic setting for this film.
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| Image: Military Times |
More recently, films such as Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon, and Born and Raised have been added to the list. So while visiting this exquisite location, keep your eyes open for production crews filming the next box office hit. Who knows, you could be a star!
Movies Filmed in Northwest Florida
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1941 – Dive Bomber, starring Errol Flynn, Fred MacMurray, Ralph Bellamy, Alexis Smith – Eglin Air Force Base
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1949 - 12O’Clock High, starring Gregory Peck, Hugh Marlowe – Eglin Air Force Base
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1972 – Frogs, starring Ray Milland, Sam Elliott – Wewahitchka, Panama City, Eden Garden State Park
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1976 – Midway, starring Charlton Heston, Glenn Ford, Henry Fonda, James Colburn – Pensacola
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1978 – Jaws 2, starring Roy Scheider – Destin, Navarre, Okaloosa Island
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1995 – Felony, starring Jeffrey Combs, Ashley Laurence - Pensacola
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1996 – They Bite, starring Donna Frotscher, Nick Baldasare – Panama City
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1998 – The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich – Seaside
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2001 – World Traveler, starring Julianne Moore, Billy Crudup - Pensacola
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2006 – Jesus Camp, a documentary film nominated for an Oscar in 2006 – Pensacola
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2007 - Permanent Vacation, starring David Carradine, Frank Harper, Gina Bellman – Milton – Adventures Unlimited Campground
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2008 - Eagle Eye, starring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan - Eglin Air Force Base
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ReplyDeleteWhite Picket Fence
Couldn't have said it better myself!
DeleteWOW it is amazing news, thanks for sharing. Florida is looking awesome.
ReplyDeletecrictime | Crictime Live Cricket Streaming
Hey there! The Jerry-Rigged Films team here - the guys behind BORN & RAISED - we just stumbled across your wonderful Blog. Please let everyone know that BORN & RAISED is now available on iTunes, Amazon and Video On Demand (all cable providers), with many more platforms to come. We'd love for our Florida Panhandle family to support this locally shot film! Many, sincere thanks again!
ReplyDeleteThanks, was looking for this in 'one place', tyvm
ReplyDeleteAnd could tell you all some stories about 'born and raised' (wink)
Additions (?)
- Ulee's Gold by Victor Nunez of Ruby in Paradise
- 1950s Creature Black Lagoon at Wakulla Springs
- Ray Charles
- Tallahassee has 'some/few'
- Easy Rider Ending ... Hiway 20 by ApaRiv, about 1963, true fact
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