Where was WarGames Filmed?
The 1983 film WarGames, directed by John Badham, is a classic Cold War-era thriller that has become a cult classic. The movie tells the story of a young computer hacker, David Lightman (played by Matthew Broderick), who accidentally accesses a military computer system and begins to play a game of tic-tac-toe with an artificial intelligence system named WOPR (War Operation Plan Response). As the game progresses, David and WOPR engage in a series of conversations that lead to a deeper understanding of the dangers of nuclear war and the importance of human intervention.
Location Scouting
The film’s location scouting process was extensive, with the production team traveling to various locations across the United States to find the perfect settings for the movie’s key scenes. Here are some of the locations where WarGames was filmed:
- Los Angeles, California: The majority of the film was shot in and around Los Angeles, with the city’s iconic landmarks and architecture serving as the backdrop for many of the movie’s scenes.
- Hollywood Hills, California: The production team chose the Hollywood Hills area for the exterior shots of David’s home, which is featured prominently in the film.
- San Fernando Valley, California: The San Fernando Valley region was used for the scenes featuring the military base where David and WOPR engage in their game of tic-tac-toe.
- Yuma, Arizona: The film’s desert scenes were shot in Yuma, Arizona, which provided a stark contrast to the urban landscapes of Los Angeles.
- New York City, New York: Although not a primary filming location, New York City was used for a few scenes, including the iconic shot of the Statue of Liberty.
Interior Scenes
While the majority of the film was shot on location, many of the interior scenes were filmed on soundstages in Los Angeles. The production team built sets to recreate the military base, David’s home, and other key locations. Here are some of the interior scenes that were filmed on soundstages:
- Military Base: The military base where David and WOPR play tic-tac-toe was built on a soundstage in Los Angeles. The set was designed to resemble a real military base, complete with rows of computer terminals and military personnel.
- David’s Home: The interior scenes of David’s home were filmed on a soundstage in Los Angeles. The set was designed to resemble a typical suburban home, complete with a living room, kitchen, and bedroom.
- WOPR’s Control Room: The control room where WOPR is housed was built on a soundstage in Los Angeles. The set was designed to resemble a futuristic computer lab, complete with rows of computer terminals and flashing lights.
Key Locations
Here are some of the key locations that were featured prominently in the film:
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| David’s Home | The exterior and interior scenes of David’s home were filmed in Los Angeles. |
| Military Base | The military base where David and WOPR play tic-tac-toe was built on a soundstage in Los Angeles. |
| Yuma Desert | The desert scenes were shot in Yuma, Arizona, which provided a stark contrast to the urban landscapes of Los Angeles. |
| Statue of Liberty | A few scenes were filmed in New York City, including the iconic shot of the Statue of Liberty. |
Conclusion
WarGames is a classic film that has become a cult classic, and its filming locations are a testament to the production team’s attention to detail and dedication to bringing the story to life. From the iconic landmarks of Los Angeles to the desert landscapes of Arizona, the film’s locations are a key part of its enduring appeal.
