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Films at Blenheim Palace
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The Diplomat
Location: The Great Court, Palace Steps, the Great Hall and State Rooms
Cast: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Allison Janney
In Season 2 of The Diplomat, Blenheim Palace debuts as itself, playing a key role in the finale. Filmed in the same year it hosted the European Political Community Summit, the setting adds real-world political significance. Grand exterior shots capture guests arriving, ascending the Palace steps, and gathering in the Great Hall. Executive producer Janice Williams highlights the impact of filming at Winston Churchill’s birthplace, calling it “the heart of politics, the heart of diplomacy” (Tudum by Netflix).
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Bridgerton, Season 3
Locations: The Great Court, Great Hall, Saloon, State Rooms, Long Library and Water Terraces
Cast: Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh
Blenheim Palace expands its role in the Bridgerton universe in Season 3, following Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton’s romantic journey. The Water Terraces set the stage for the ton’s elegant promenades, while the architectural beauty of the Long Library can be seen in episode 7. Be sure to visit the Saloon, where Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury engage in a tense game of chess and step into the world of the ton to experience the grandeur that captivated audiences worldwide.
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Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Locations: The Great Court, Great Hall, Saloon, State Rooms, Long Library, South Lawn, Water Terraces and Italian Garden
Cast: India Amarteifio, Corey Mylchreest, Golda Rosheuvel, Arsema Thomas
This Bridgerton prequel transforms Blenheim Palace into the opulent Buckingham House. Royal guards and carriages adorn The Great Court, and the Water Terraces are reimagined for the final ball, bringing 18th-century grandeur to life. The Long Library features throughout showcasing over 10,000 books and the Queen Anne statue. Did you know, Blenheim Palace has real ties to Queen Charlotte and King George III – the royal couple’s visit to their friends, the 4th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, inspired renovations at Buckingham House.
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Napolean
Location: The Great Court, East Courtyard, Great Hall, State Rooms, Estate Grounds and Hensington Drive
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon transforms Blenheim Palace into France, Italy and Russia. Filmed over nearly a month, the production captures the tale of Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power, featuring intense battle scenes on the estate and dramatic moments in the Palace’s Great Hall, Long Library, Mail Saloon and State Rooms. Praised for its spectacular visuals, the film earned Academy Award nominations for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Visual Effects.
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Cinderella
Locations: The Great Court, Great Hall, Long Library and Grand Bridge.
Cast: Camila Cabello, Billy Porter, Idina Menzel, Nicholas Galitzine, Pierce Brosnan
In the 2021 adaptation of Cinderella, Blenheim Palace's Long Library provides a charming backdrop for a key moment where Prince Robert finds Cinderella, meanwhile, the Great Hall adds grandeur to the royal ball scenes, bringing the fairy tale to life. This modern retelling of the classic fairy tale emphasises themes of empowerment and ambition. Visitors to Blenheim Palace can explore these beautiful spaces and appreciate their role in bringing Cinderella’s beloved story to life.
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Transformers: The Last Knight
Location: The Great Court, Great Hall and South Lawn
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins, Laura Haddock, Josh Duhamel, Isabella Moner
In Transformers: The Last Knight, Blenheim Palace's Great Court and South Lawn serve as stunning backdrops. The South Lawn hosts a lively polo match with Vivian Wembley, played by Laura Haddock. While the Great Court appears in World War II flashback scenes, adding a historical layer to the action. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking architecture of Blenheim Palace while exploring the locations that contributed to this exciting instalment of the Transformers franchise.
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BFG
Location: The Great Court and Italian Garden
Cast: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Jemaine Clement
In Steven Spielberg's enchanting adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic, Blenheim Palace's Italian Garden serves as the magical setting for the memorable scene where the BFG meets Queen Elizabeth II. The beautifully landscaped Italian Garden adds a touch of whimsy to the film, enhancing the story's charm. Guests can enjoy views of the Duke’s Private Italian Garden while indulging in afternoon tea at the Orangery. The film combines heartwarming storytelling with stunning visual effects, bringing to life the beloved characters and their extraordinary adventures.
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James Bond: Spectre
Location: Great Court
Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes
Blenheim Palace's Great Court stands in for Palazzo Cardenza in Rome during a crucial meeting of the SPECTRE organization. The film crew transformed this historic location into a high-stakes international setting, showcasing Bond's Aston Martin DB10 as it dramatically enters from the Palace's east courtyard. After being recognised at the meeting, Bond's makes his daring escape, driving through the Palace's narrow archways followed by Mr. Hinx in a Jaguar C-X75. The car chase sequence begins in Blenheim Palace before transitioning to Rome through clever visual effects.
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Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Location: The Great Court, Great Hall, Green Writing Room and Long Library
Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin
This fifth instalment in the Mission: Impossible franchise showcases Blenheim Palace's stunning architecture. The Long Library and Green Writing Room serve as backdrops for a high-stakes charity auction scene, while the Great Court adds grandeur to the film. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the movie was a critical and commercial success and was praised for its thrilling action sequences and clever plot twists.
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Gulliver's Travels
Locations: The Great Court, Italian Garden and South Lawn
Cast: Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Jason Segel, Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet, Catherine Tate, James Corden
This modern adaptation of Jonathan Swift's classic tale features Blenheim Palace as the royal palace of Lilliput. The film's use of the Great Court and South Lawn showcases the Palace's grandeur, providing a stunning backdrop for the fantastical world of tiny Lilliputians. Jack Black, as Lemuel Gulliver, towers over the palace in scenes, creating a striking visual contrast. The production team faced unique challenges in portraying the scale differences, employing clever camera techniques, scaled props and special effects.
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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Location: Bank of the Great Lake, The Echo Tree (Harry Potter Tree)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Imelda Staunton, Gary Oldman
On the bank of the Great Lake, the iconic Echo Tree stands as a cinematic treasure from Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix. This ancient Cedar of Lebanon tree sets the scene for a pivotal moment in the franchise, where audiences catch a glimpse into Severus Snape's past. Thanks to ongoing preservation efforts from Blenheim Palace’s dedicated gardening team and arborists, the tree remains a must-see location for Harry Potter fans, offering a window into the magical wizarding world.
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Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Location: The Great Court
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor
This iconic Bollywood family drama became a massive commercial success, winning multiple awards, including five Filmfare Awards. Translating to "Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness," the film was the sixth highest-grossing Bollywood film of its time. Notably, several spectacular dance scenes were filmed in Blenheim Palace's Great Court. A quintessential tale of family, love, and reconciliation, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham remains a beloved classic of Indian cinema.