Déjà vu?

We rarely pay attention to the locations in a film, unless the landscapes are particularly breathtaking (probably CGI). But, if you think back to your favorite movies and shows, you might notice that many of them used the same locations.

Just like with actors, there is an elite group of places that tend to show up from time to time.

The impressive interiors and grounds of Chatsworth House have been used in several period dramas, major motion pictures as well as popular BBC documentaries.

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire.

Iconic period films Pride and Prejudice (2005) and The Duchess (2008), which both star Keira Knightley as their leading lady, were shot in the grounds of Chatsworth House. The stately home was itself in The Duchess and was used as Pemberley, the residence of Mr. Darcy, in the film adaptation of the iconic Jane Austen novel.

Chatsworth was also mentioned in the novel as one of the estates Elizabeth Bennet visits before arriving at Pemberley. You may recognise the grand staircase and ceiling of the Painted Hall and the famous sculpture gallery.

Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennett in the sculpture gallery at Chatsworth House

But, it has not only been used for its lavish interiors and period features. American horror film The Wolfman (2010), which stars Anthony Hopkins, features an unrecognisable Chatsworth House, after it was transformed over several months for the filming of the 1940’s classic. 

The film, directed by Joe Johnson, shows Chatsworth as a neglected horror scene with mud smeared windows, vines draped from the roof and crumbling statues in the grounds, which took 200 crew members to create. One of the final scenes shows the house on fire, but this was actually shot as a 24 foot tall scale model set on fire.