Where was Full Metal Jacket filmed?
Full Metal Jacket, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a critically acclaimed war drama film released in 1987. The movie tells the story of a group of Marine recruits during their grueling boot camp training and their deployment to Vietnam. The film’s unique blend of realism, social commentary, and psychological horror has made it a classic in the eyes of many film enthusiasts.
Main Filming Locations
Full Metal Jacket was primarily filmed in Maryland, United States. The majority of the boot camp scenes were shot at the Edgewood Arsenal, a former military base located in Edgewood, Maryland. The base was abandoned in the 1970s and was chosen by Kubrick for its decaying, post-apocalyptic atmosphere, which added to the film’s sense of realism.
Edgewood Arsenal
| Location | Location Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Edgewood Arsenal | Military Base | 1986 |
The Edgewood Arsenal was used as the main filming location for the Marine Corps boot camp scenes, including the notorious "Drop and Give Me Twenty" drill and the infamous "Meatball" fight. The base’s crumbling infrastructure and overgrown vegetation added to the film’s gritty, documentary-style feel.
Camp David
| Location | Location Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Camp David | Presidential Retreat | 1986 |
Another significant location used in Full Metal Jacket was Camp David, the presidential retreat located in Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland. The camp’s rustic cabins and scenic trails were used as the location for the film’s infamous "chicken hunt" scene, where the drill instructor, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, takes the recruits on a hunting trip.
Other Locations
While Edgewood Arsenal and Camp David were the primary filming locations, some additional scenes were shot at other locations in Maryland. These included:
- The Baltimore Harbor, where the film’s opening scenes take place
- The Frederick, Maryland, area, where some of the exterior scenes were shot
- The abandoned town of Sharptown, Maryland, which was used as a location for some of the film’s more surreal sequences
Why Maryland?
Kubrick chose Maryland as the primary filming location for Full Metal Jacket due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. and the availability of diverse landscapes. The state’s mix of urban, rural, and industrial areas allowed Kubrick to capture the film’s themes of dislocation, disorientation, and social upheaval.
In Conclusion
Full Metal Jacket is a film that continues to captivate audiences with its unflinching portrayal of military life, its exploration of themes such as masculinity and social hierarchy, and its innovative cinematography. While the film’s use of Maryland as a primary filming location may seem unconventional, it adds to the film’s unique atmosphere and reinforces its themes of dislocation and disorientation.
In conclusion, the main filming locations for Full Metal Jacket were Edgewood Arsenal, Camp David, and other locations in Maryland. The state’s diverse landscapes and availability of abandoned military bases and industrial areas made it an ideal location for Kubrick’s vision.
Table of Filming Locations
| Location | Location Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Edgewood Arsenal | Military Base | 1986 |
| Camp David | Presidential Retreat | 1986 |
| Baltimore Harbor | Urban | 1986 |
| Frederick, MD | Rural | 1986 |
| Sharptown, MD | Abandoned Town | 1986 |
Important Points to Remember
• Full Metal Jacket was primarily filmed in Maryland, USA.
• Edgewood Arsenal was used as the main filming location for the Marine Corps boot camp scenes.
• Camp David was used as the location for the film’s "chicken hunt" scene.
• Maryland’s diverse landscapes and availability of abandoned military bases and industrial areas made it an ideal location for Kubrick’s vision.
I hope this article helps you in your quest for knowledge about the filming locations of Full Metal Jacket!
