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Somerset on Screen
With so much history, heritage and stunning scenery, it's hardly surprising that Somerset is a favourite for film makers!
Most recently, the historic city of Wells (the smallest city in England with a magnificent gothic cathedral) was featured in the film Hot Fuzz, starring Simon Pegg (the latest offering from Director Edgar Wright, who also brought us Shaun of the Dead).
Also partly filmed in Wells and to be screened in October this year, The Golden Age - an exploration of the relationship between Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett) and the adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) the follow up to Elizabeth (also starring Cate Blanchett).
The Cathedral was also used recently in an episode of Doctor Who (screened at Easter).
Some other examples of Films and TV shows filmed or partly filmed in Somerset:
Doctor Who (1963 and 2007) - partly filmed at Wookey Hole Caves and in Wells Cathedral.
Pandaemonium (2001) Julien Temple's film about the relationship between the 19th-century poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Partly filmed on Exmoor and the Quantock Hills, where Coleridge lived for two years.'
The Land Girls (1998) A film about three young women from very different walks of life who join the women's land army during World War II and are sent to work together on a farm. Partly filmed in West Somerset (Dulverton and Bossington Beach) and features the West Somerset Railway (the longest preserved heritage railway in England).
Sense & Sensibility (1996 ) Oscar winning film adaptation of Jane Austens novel, starring Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. Partly filmed at Montacute House, near Yeovil and in Montacute village.
The Libertine (1996) Film starring Jonny Depp, the story of John Wilmot (Depp), a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, a 17th century poet who famously drank and debauched his way to an early grave, only to earn posthumous critical acclaim for his life's work was filmed in Wells and partly at Montacute House.
Remains of the Day (1993) - Oscar-winning film partly filmed in Weston-super-Mare.
Monocled Mutineer (1986) TV series starring Paul McGann, partly filmed in West Somerset.
Hard Days Night (1964) - Oscar winning film, a 'typical' day in the life of the Beatles, including many of their famous songs.
The music video for Bryan Adams (1991) 'Everything I Do I Do it For You' the sound track for Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and number one for 16 weeks in the UK singles charts was filmed at Kilve Beach and Holford Glen.
More Films
Chocolat (2000) Bruton, starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp and Lena Olin.
Elizabeth (1999) Montacute House The Golden Age (2006) Wells and Brean Down
Killing Me Softly (2002) Bossington Beach, starring Heather Graham and Joseph Fiennes.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1997) Dulverton
Emma (1995) East Coker, Jane Austen's story of matchmaking that goes awry.
The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953) Freshford
All the Little Animals (1998) Glastonbury Tor
Moll Flanders (1996) Norton St Philip
The Wicker Man (1972-3) Wookey Hole, starring Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland
Television
Aquila (BBC) (1997) Berrow Beach
French and Saunders: Baywatch sketch (1996) Berrow Beach
Sarah's Smile (2004) Berrow Beach
Restoration (1994) Brympton D'Evercy, Costume drama set in 1660's about a young doctor who falls out of favour with Charles II
The Famous Five (1995-6) Dunster Castle and Cheddar Caves
Some Mothers Do 'Av 'Em (1978) Minehead, Part of the Scottish Country Dancing episode in Series Three
The House of Elliott (1991to 93) Minehead
The Hound of the Baskervilles (2000) Montacute House
Berkeley Square (1997) Priddy, Costume drama series about three nannies in Edwardian England.
The Monocled Mutineer (1986) Quantocks, Adventures of Private Percy Topliss, a dashing rogue, who led a British army mutiny on the eve of the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917 based on a true story.
Blake's 7 (1978 to 1981) Wells and Wookey Hole
A Hard Day's Night (1964) West Somerset Railway, The harassed Beatles embark from Liverpool by train for a London TV show
Allies at War (2002) West Somerset Railway
Miss Marple: The Mirror Cracked (1992) West Somerset Railway
Poirot: The Cornish Mystery (1989) West Somerset Railway
The House of Elliott (1991 to 93) West Somerset Railway
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1988) West Somerset Railway
