Where was the movie Full Metal Jacket filmed?
Released in 1987, Full Metal Jacket is a psychological war drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the novel The Short-Timers by Gustav Hasford. The film follows a group of U.S. Marine recruits, including the protagonist Gunnery Sergeant Hartman and his protege Private Pyle, as they undergo brutal training at the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina. But, surprisingly, the majority of the film was not actually shot in Parris Island or even in the United States.
Filming Locations
The film was primarily shot in Merry Hill, Herefordshire, England, UK. Herefordshire, a rural county in the west of England, was chosen by Kubrick as a substitute for the South Carolina setting due to the area’s similarities in geography and climate to the U.S. East Coast.
- Merry Hill Film Studios: The film’s production team built a temporary film set at Merry Hill Film Studios, a now-defunct film production facility located in the middle of a rural area.
- Hagley Woods: Some scenes, such as the infamous boot camp sequences, were shot on location in Hagley Woods, a scenic woodland area near Hagley, Worcestershire.
Parris Island Substitute
To replicate the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, the production team constructed a mock-up of the base at Merry Hill. The set included replica barracks, a parade ground, and other key buildings.
Additional Locations
A few scenes were shot at additional locations in the UK, including:
- Cardiff, Wales: Some scenes were filmed on location in Cardiff, Wales, including the iconic bridge scenes.
- Presteigne, Powys: The town’s Market Square was used as a stand-in for the U.S. military base’s courtyard.
Why Parris Island wasn’t used?
So, why did Kubrick choose to film Full Metal Jacket in Merry Hill, England, rather than Parris Island, South Carolina? There were a few reasons:
- Cost: Filming in the United States would have been significantly more expensive due to the need to rent equipment, hire personnel, and transport the entire crew.
- Location challenges: Parris Island is a busy military base with strict security measures in place, making it difficult for the production team to secure permission to film there.
- Creative vision: Kubrick wanted a unique and isolated location that would allow him to control every aspect of the filmmaking process. Merry Hill and Hagley Woods offered him the perfect combination of space, flexibility, and atmospheric conditions.
Timeline and Logistics
The production of Full Metal Jacket lasted for approximately six months from November 1985 to April 1986. During this time, the team built the set, rehearsed the actors, and shot the majority of the film.
Crew and Cast
The film featured a talented cast of actors, including:
- Matthew Modine as Private Joker
- Adam Baldwin as Animal Mother
- Vincent D’Onofrio as Private Pyle
- R. Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman
- Arliss Howard as Sergeant O’Neill
Legacy and Impact
Full Metal Jacket has since become a cult classic and one of Kubrick’s most beloved films. Its impact on the war movie genre is undeniable, with many considering it a game-changer in the representation of military life on screen.
