These bold films confront viewers and dare to offend
In 1934, English construction tycoon Charles Boot (1874–1945) purchased Heatherden Hall (pictured) near the village of Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, England. He also bought the surrounding land. He transformed the mansion into an exclusive country club. But Heatherden Hall was destined to become the administrative building for Pinewood film studios.
The Rank Organization's primary function was to develop film production and film distribution. The land was turned into a film studio, with Heatherden Hall earmarked to become the studio's administrative building. Boot named the facility Pinewood after the abundance of pine trees in the area, "and because it seemed to suggest something of the American film center in its second syllable," he was later quoted as saying.
On September 30, 1936, Pinewood Studios was officially opened. Some of cinema's most iconic scenes have been shot on its soundstages.
The first film to be made entirely at Pinewood Studios was 'Talk of the Devil' (1936), directed by Carol Reed. During the Second World War, the studios were requisitioned by the British government for storage purposes.
After the war, the British film industry witnessed a resurgence in fortunes. Two landmarks in British film produced at Pinewood were released within two months of each other in 1948. The first of these, 'Great Expectations' starring John Mills and Valerie Hobson, was a critical and commercial success, winning the Academy Award for Best Art Direction, Black-and-White, and Best Cinematography, Black-and-White. Director David Lean was Oscar nominated for Best Director.
Written, directed, and produced by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, 'The Red Shoes' received equally glowing critical acclaim, especially in the United States, where it received a total of five Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Original Score and Best Art Direction.
Also released in 1948 was another David Lean film, 'Oliver Twist.' Starring Alec Guinness as Fagin (left) and John Howard Davis (center) as Oliver, this adaptation of the celebrated Charles Dickins novel was the fifth most popular film at the British box office.
The 1950s heralded the rise of some of the most renowned film series in British cinema history, with many produced at Pinewood. The 'Doctor' series starring British actor Dirk Bogarde was an early success. Bogarde is seen here with Canadian actress Suzanne Cloutier in a scene from 'Doctor in the House' (1954).
Even greater success was achieved with the 'Carry On' franchise, a series of comedies made at Pinewood between 1958 and 1978, and in 1992. Pictured is a scene from the first production, 'Carry On Sergeant' (1958).
Hollywood soon recognized Pinewood for its excellent production facilities. 'The Prince and the Showgirl' starring Marilyn Monroe was made at the studio. Originally titled 'The Sleeping Prince,' the film co-starred and was directed by Laurence Olivier.
In this photograph, Olivier emphasizes a point for Monroe on the set of the romantic comedy. Though not a major box-office hit, 'The Prince and the Showgirl' was popular in the United Kingdom.
The 1960s saw Pinewood flourish as one of the world's major film studios. Numerous Hollywood A-listers ended up working at the Buckinghamshire facility, among them Gregory Peck, who filmed 'Arabesque' at Pinewood in 1966.
The same year, Peck's co-star in 'Arabesque,' Sophia Loren, co-starred opposite Marlon Brando in 'The Countess of Hong Kong.' Filmed at Pinewood, it was directed by Charlie Chaplin (left in the photo with his back turned). Chaplin's cameo in the picture marked his final screen appearance.
Early scenes of 'Cleopatra' were filmed at Pinewood. Pictured is Elizabeth Taylor celebrating her 31st birthday at the studios on February 27, 1963. She's cutting her cake with the sword of Richard Burton, who is in costume as Mark Antony for the film, which starred Taylor in the titular role.
Sean Connery and Italian actress Daniela Bianchi under the spotlight as they rehearse and film a bedroom scene for the second 'James Bond' movie, 'From Russia With Love,' at Pinewood Studios on April 9, 1963.
The "volcano" was in fact a massive purpose-built set, seen here in October 1966. At the time it was the biggest and most complex film set interior ever built in Europe.
As Bond got bigger and better, so too did the Pinewood movie sets. Remember this scene inside Bond villain Blofeld's extinct volcano hideout from 'You Only Live Twice' (1967)?
'James Bond' has been synonymous with Pinewood for nearly 60 years. Production began on 'Dr. No,' the first film in the series, in January 1962. During the last week in February at Pinewood, Sean Connery announced the screen arrival of the British secret agent with the immortal line, "The name's Bond, James Bond."
For 'The Spy Who Loved Me,' a completely new soundstage was built at Pinewood Studios for an even bigger set that depicted the interior of a supertanker. And here's a little-known fact: the soundstage was so huge that cinematographer Claude Renoir found himself unable to effectively light it due to his deteriorating eyesight, and so Stanley Kubrick visited the production, in secret, to advise on how to light the set.
As filmmaking technology advanced in the 1990s, Pinewood garnered a reputation as one of the best studios anywhere to realize complex action setups. Here, Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt films a scene at the studios in 1995 for the movie 'Mission: Impossible,' which was released the following year. In the stunt, he clings to a replica of a TGV train built on the set, while supported by a wire.
The still to be released 'No Time To Day' was completed in October 2019 at Pinewood Studios. During production, James Bond actor Daniel Craig met Prince Charles. The conversation turned towards the merits of Bond's Aston Martin vehicle. The prince, in fact, owns a vintage Aston Martin.
In April 2016, Pinewood welcomed Prince Harry and Prince William and invited them both to try out light sabers during a tour of the 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' set.
'Aliens' (1986), the sequel to the 1979 science fiction horror classic, was made at Pinewood Studios. Pictured are Paul Reiser and Sigourney Weaver rehearsing a scene on set with director James Cameron.
Director Tim Burton chose to make 'Batman' at Pinewood Studios. The studio's backlot was used for the Gotham City set. Pictured is Batman actor Michael Keaton checking the view from behind the camera.
Stanley Kunbrick was no stranger to Pinewood. Fittingly perhaps, his final film, 'Eyes Wide Shut,' was made at the studios. The director's dislike of overseas travel meant that a detailed recreation of New York's Greenwich Village was assembled on site. Pictured with Kubrick is Tom Cruise and Sydney Pollack.
The flashy Pinewood Film Studios gate house was officially opened by the Queen and Prince Philip in November 2007.
Sources: (The Guardian) (Pinewood Group) (Screen Rant)
See also: Visiting LA, the entertainment capital of the world
Pinewood technicians performed all sorts of magic while 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1' was being filmed. They conjured up more wizardry the following year with the second part.
The following year, Charles Boot teamed up with English millionaire industrialist J. Arthur Rank. This partnership led ultimately to the creation of the entertainment conglomerate, the Rank Organization.
Pinewood Studios has been at the forefront of British film production for some 85 years. Indeed, some of cinema's most iconic scenes have been shot on its soundstages. It's also home to one of the most successful movie franchises ever: 'James Bond.' In fact, Pinewood is Britain's very own Hollywood and is deserving of its reputation as one of the most creative and influential film production facilities in the world.
Click through and focus on some of the major events in the studio's history.
The mystery thriller 'Sleuth' starring Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier was filmed at Pinewood. Directed by American Joseph L. Mankiewicz (his final film), 'Sleuth' garnered Academy Award nominations for both Olivier and Caine.
Pinewood Studios: Britain's very own Hollywood
Some of cinema's most iconic scenes have been shot at Pinewood
MOVIES Film
Pinewood Studios has been at the forefront of British film production for some 85 years. Indeed, some of cinema's most iconic scenes have been shot on its soundstages. It's also home to one of the most successful movie franchises ever: 'James Bond.' In fact, Pinewood is Britain's very own Hollywood and is deserving of its reputation as one of the most creative and influential film production facilities in the world.
Click through and focus on some of the major events in the studio's history.