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Pinewood Studios
Opened in 1936, Pinewood is the UK's equivalent of Hollywood, with a whole raft of famous films and TV programs to its credit, including all of the James Bond movies (at least 20) right back to the very first one, the original Casino Royale, starring David Niven. Pinewood's 007 stage is, at 59,000 square feet, the largest stage in Europe. Sadly, it burnt down in 2007; within a year, it had been rebuilt bigger and better than it was before.
There's also an immense water tank that holds 5.25 m litres, heated to 30oC for the comfort of actors and crew. And the huge blue screen used for filming special effects is 240' x 60'; boats can be floated in the water tank in front of it - and in case they want to film a boat sinking, there's an area in the middle of the tank that can be lowered.
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An impressive pedigree
The list of films made at Pinewood is endless, including the Carry On series, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Da Vinci Code.
The studio occasionally puts on tours of the 54-acre site; for anyone with an interest in films, they are unmissable. But the general public can gain easier access to see TV shows being filmed; The Weakest Link and The Green Green Grass of Home are two programs currently produced (2009) in Pinewood.
Tickets aren't too difficult to come by - particularly as the members of the crew are often ensconced in the The Oakridge House Bed & Breakfast, or, in the evenings, laying the dust next door in the Black Horse. |
