DID YOU KNOW Newfoundland holds the record for the WORST MOVIE SET DISASTER in the history of film-making? (Seriously, by far!) Or is where sound and dialogue were recorded on set for the FIRST TIME EVER? That it played a role in the MOST AWARDED movie in history? Was a shooting location for a record-breaking blockbuster comic book film? Or inspired a documentary and Tony Award winning Broadway musical?
Newfoundland has played an integral role in mainstream film for almost 100 years. Yet we’re still waiting for our star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
If you didn’t already know how much of a movie star Newfoundland is, here’s our list of its top credits and where you can experience them…
Aquaman (2018)
Location: East Coast Trail
You’re DAMN RIGHT Aquaman (Jason Momoa) couldn’t be his fully chiseled bad ass self without harnessing the ruggedly handsome and wild essence of Newfoundland. Channel the fantastical energy of of the HIGHEST GROSSING DC Comics hero film in history as you stroll through the East Coast Trail near Red Head Cliffs while on the look out for Aquaman surfing the Atlantic.
Orca: The Killer Whale (1977)
Location: Petty Harbour
If needing a reason to be terrified of the ocean waters around our home, Orca is your movie! Set around a serial killer whale seeking revenge on a fisherman for killing his family, you can imagine reliving all the terrifying scenes of this movie simply by roaming through Petty Harbour. Bonus points if you take a boat on the water…but watch out for killer whales…
Maudie (2016)
Location: Port Rexton, Keels, St. John’s
Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Dead Poet’s Society) and Sally Hawkins star in this bio-pic of a Canadian artist from Nova Scotia. Shot across Port Rexton, Keels and St. John’s the film relives Maud Dowley’s life throughout the 1930’s and 40’s.
The Shipping News (2001)
Location: Trinity, Corner Brook, New Bonaventure
Based on a Pulitzer prize-winning book, this film centres around the ghostly and moody lives of characters in Newfoundland played by Kevin Spacey, Julianne Moore, Judi Dench and Cate Blanchette. The movie was primarily filmed in the town of Trinity, and though Newfoundland accent accuracy in the film may be hit or miss, it certainly does well to pick up the looming mystery of Newfoundland on a foggy day.
The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)
Location: St John’s Harbour
in 1927, Pilot Charles Lindbergh was the first to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic flying from New York to Paris but in the film The Spirit of St. Louis, along the way, does quite a beautiful aerial detour across Newfoundland and right through St. John’s Harbour. Have a quick look here for the aerial views of St. John’s Harbour and Cabot Tower from 1955.
You Are Here (2018)
Location: Gander
In 2001 on 9/11 the small town of Gander doubled in population as it generously took in over 6,500 passengers from 38 emergency landed airplanes. This story would soon become a global beacon for international generosity, friendship, acceptance, and togetherness and is now the centre of a hit Tony Award winning Broadway musical that’s expanded to leading stages all over the world. The feature documentary You Are Here tells this story right from ground zero of Gander, and you can experience the city and its amazing people for yourself. You just need to visit!
The Grand Seduction (2013)
Location: Trinity Bay, St. John’s
One of the best comedies to really showcase the joy, colour and humour of a small Newfoundland Village. Walk in the shoes of actors Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights, X-Men, John Carter) and Brendan Gleeson (Harry Potter, Cold Mountain) through St. John’s and traditional fishing villages of Trinity Bay and get pulled into the dramatic tellings of the locals.
Braven (2018)
Location: Avalon Peninsula, Downtown St. John’s
Braven with Jason Momoa (Yes, Jason can’t seem to get enough of Newfoundland and we’re DEFINITELY ok with that) captures the isolation of the Newfoundland forest in winter but mixed with the action packed thrill of explosions and hand-to-hand combat. Get the feel of the cold rugged Newfoundland landscape from the film around the forests and walking trails of the Avalon Peninsula and don’t forget to visit Leo’s Restaurant and Take out in downtown St. John’s.
Random Passage (2002)
Location: New Bonaventure
Many areas of Newfoundland still have an old-world charm that resemble traditional resettlement villages going back hundreds of years. So, follow the pilgrimage of an English family over to Newfoundland to live the hardships of the early 19th century in the Television miniseries Random Passage starring Colm Meaney (Star Trek, Gangs of London). For the full experience visit New Bonaventure and the Random Passage film set which still stands today!
The Viking (1931)
Location: Quidi Vidi, Grand Banks, Labrador
The Viking was a record making adventure film set primarily from Quidi Vidi in St. John’s and also from the Grand Banks and Labrador ice floes for action sequences. It made HISTORY by becoming the first film to ever record both sound and dialogue on location. But it’s also known for the explosion aboard the ship SS Viking (an actual sealing ship) during filming, in which 28 members of the crew, including the producer, were killed. It by far remains the biggest disaster and largest loss of life in film history. But check out the movie here for a full length adventure set around Newfoundland nearly 100 years ago. And as you walk through Quidi Vidi and St. John’s, imagine how much it’s changed…how much it’s stayed the same.
Rare Birds (2001)
Location: Cape Spear
Pretend to fall into the deception of a fortune-bringing rare bird siting at Cape Spear in the 2001 Dramedy film, Rare Birds, starring Willliam Hurt and Molly Parker.
Titanic (1997)
Historical Location: Johnson Geo Centre, Cape Race Lighthouse
Titanic is the MOST AWARDED FILM in history including being tied for most Oscar wins at 11 including Best Picture but leading with total nominations at 14 and broke countless box office records. The Titanic ship famously sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean just 400 nautical miles from Cape Race, Newfoundland, the closest point of land and footage of the real sunken wreck played a major role in the film. For a bit of the Titanic experience, we recommend doing an iceberg boat tour, visit the Johnson Geo Center in St. John’s for the Titanic exhibit, visit the Cape Race Lighthouse where the first Titanic distress signals were received and maybe even go for an iceberg boat tour!
So what next?
Newfoundland’s gathered quite the film resume over the last 100 years and ya know what? We’re just getting started!
So for now go out and explore the sites where Newfoundland has helped make movie history.
And there’s plenty more to come so keep an eye out for celebrities around your town or sipping a beer at your local pub. Because we’re still coming for that star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
Did we cover the list well? Any sites or places from these movies that we should add to visit? Let us know!
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Until next time guys!
Larry and Chris
This was such a pleasant read! Being a Newfie and a movie lover, I found this list quite fascinating!
Thanks Mark! Also if you’re not already on the list of actors in Newfoundland films, we still expect it some day 😉
Also being a fellow Blockbuster Baby definitely helps to know and appreciate this list doesn’t it? haha
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