We all think of a certain scene when someone mentions a film, the scene stands out in your head either because of the superb script/acting or the stunning location it is in. In this article I will run through what I consider to be the top 10 most iconic film scene locations.
10. Quality Cafe, Los Angeles
It doesn’t look like much from the outside but the inside is one of the most recognisable scene locations in film/tv history. It has featured in everything from 500 days of summer and Old School to Training Day, Mad Men and most impressively CSI:New York, why they chose to pick such a famous cafe for a show supposedly set in New York I will never know!
9. Empire State Building, New York
The Empire State Buildings most iconic picture is surely with King Kong standing on the top of it and gripping on to the side. It has appeared in so many films from You’ve Got Mail to Taxi Driver and On The Waterfront. As well as being an iconic landmark it is also an iconic movie location.
8. Cheoah Dam, North Carolina
There has really only ever been one movie set here but the scene is so memorable that it is well deserving of a place on the list. In the 1993 movie, The Fugitive, Richard Kimble is escaping through the hydroelectric dam, working his way through the tunnels and then jumping down the waterfall to get away.
7. Philadelphia Museum Of Art, Philadelphia
The 73 steps leading up to the Philadelphia Museum Of Art are now some of the most famous in the world thanks to the infamous training scene in the triple Oscar winning film Rocky as well as four of its sequels. The steps are now known officially as the ‘Rocky Steps’.
6. Los Angeles River, Los Angeles
Everyone will have seen a film with the Los Angeles River in, most of it is often empty which makes it ideal for filming, except when the storm drains are opened and water floods through the middle of LA to bring the water levels back down to normal. There have been numerous chase scenes through there in TV shows such as Southland and films like Terminator 2, Gone In 60 Seconds, End Of Watch and The Italian Job.
5. LAX, Los Angeles
The getaway! Whether it is a happy or a sad ending, LAX is involved in an extraordinary amount of films; Catch Me If You Can is one of the most famous as well as Get Shorty and TV shows such as Entourage. Film location companies are hired to find these locations and as Hollywood is THE major player in the movie business most of the locations are within that area.
4. Tiffany & Co, New York
Tiffany & Co. is made famous by a fantastic performance by Audrey Hepburn as a ‘Cafe Society’ girl in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Numerous other films have since had scenes in the New York jewellery store.
3. Grand Central Terminal, New York
Everything from Home Alone to the infamous last scene of Carlito’s Way has been filmed at the Grand Central Terminal in New York. It is a stunning piece of architecture and has featured in many films in the same way that LAX has.
2. The Stanley Hotel, Colorado
“Heeeeere’s Jonny!”. The Shining was filmed at the Stanley Hotel following Stephen Kings own paranormal experiences in room 217 there, it encouraged him to write the book which eventually led to the film’s production. The hotel is now fully booked on regular occasions and has been featured on paranormal TV shows such as Ghost Hunters, room 217 is highly sought after by horror fans.
1. Ohio State Reformatory, Ohio
This prison is best known for its role in The Shawshank Redemption, widely regarded by many as one of the best films ever made. Its stunning architecture, rustic look and sheer size made it the perfect location for the film. Since then the well known TV show Prison Break followed its lead and was filmed in the same location but looked completely different.
