Introduction
Released in 1985, Silverado is a classic western directed by Lawrence Kasdan. Starring Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover, and Kevin Costner, the movie tells the story of four cowboys who join forces to battle a corrupt sheriff in the American West. Silverado was a critical and commercial success, earning two Academy Award nominations and becoming one of the most beloved westerns of all time.
This article will explore the filming locations of Silverado, uncover the secrets behind the scenes of the movie’s production, and tour the wild west backdrops featured in the film. We’ll examine how these locations shaped the look and feel of the movie, and discover how they helped bring the story to life.
Location Scouting: Exploring the Filming Locations of Silverado
Silverado was filmed on location in four different states: New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and California. The majority of the movie was shot in New Mexico and Arizona, with additional scenes filmed in Colorado and California. Let’s take a closer look at each of these locations and see how they contributed to the overall look of the movie.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe served as the primary shooting location for Silverado. Many of the movie’s key scenes were filmed here, including the opening sequence featuring the four cowboys riding into town. Other important scenes shot in Santa Fe include the gunfight at the saloon and the final showdown between the cowboys and the sheriff.
Monument Valley, Arizona
The sweeping vistas of Monument Valley provided the perfect backdrop for Silverado’s iconic horseback chase scenes. The area was also used for some of the movie’s other outdoor scenes, such as the shoot-out between the cowboys and the rustlers. Monument Valley has since become one of the most iconic locations in western cinema, thanks in part to its use in Silverado.
Cimarron, New Mexico
Located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, Cimarron was used for many of Silverado’s outdoor scenes, including the climactic battle between the cowboys and the sheriff. The area’s rugged terrain and stunning landscapes made it the perfect setting for the movie’s action sequences.
Durango, Colorado
The historic town of Durango provided the perfect setting for Silverado’s flashback sequences. The town’s old-fashioned buildings and quaint streets gave the movie an authentic western feel. Durango was also used as the setting for the movie’s opening scene, in which the four cowboys ride into town.
Uncovering the Secrets Behind the Scenes of Silverado
In addition to the filming locations, there are many other secrets behind the scenes of Silverado. Let’s take a closer look at some of the movie’s production details and uncover some of the stories from the set.
Filming Schedules and Production Details
Silverado began filming in April 1984 and wrapped up in August of that year. The production was divided into three phases: pre-production, principal photography, and post-production. The movie was shot on location in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and California, with additional scenes filmed in studios in Los Angeles. The budget for the movie was $12 million.
Behind-the-Scenes Stories
The cast and crew of Silverado had many stories to tell about their experiences on the set. One of the most memorable moments occurred during the filming of the gunfight at the saloon. The scene took over fourteen hours to complete, with the actors and extras having to stand in the hot sun for much of the day. Afterward, the cast and crew celebrated with a large barbeque.
Touring the Wild West: Examining the Filming Locales of Silverado
Now that we’ve explored the secrets behind the scenes of Silverado, let’s take a tour of the movie’s filming locations. These sites provided the perfect backdrop for the movie’s wild west setting, and helped bring the story to life.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is a city located in north-central New Mexico. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant arts scene. During the filming of Silverado, the cast and crew stayed in a hotel in the city, where they could experience the local culture and get a taste of the wild west.
Monument Valley, Arizona
Monument Valley is a region located on the Arizona-Utah border. It is home to a number of spectacular sandstone formations, including the iconic Mittens Butte and Merrick Butte. The area’s rocky landscape and breathtaking views provided the perfect backdrop for Silverado’s epic horseback chase scenes.
Cimarron, New Mexico
Cimarron is a small town located in northern New Mexico. It is known for its picturesque mountain scenery and rugged terrain. The area’s dramatic landscapes made it the perfect place to film Silverado’s climactic battle between the cowboys and the sheriff.
Durango, Colorado
Durango is a city located in southwestern Colorado. The city is known for its historic downtown area and its proximity to the Rocky Mountains. During the filming of Silverado, the cast and crew stayed in a hotel in Durango and spent their free time exploring the nearby mountains and national parks.
Behind the Scenes of Silverado: A Look at the Film’s Production Sites
Silverado was filmed in several different locations across four different states. Let’s take a closer look at each of the movie’s production sites and examine how they helped shape the look and feel of the movie.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe provided the perfect backdrop for Silverado’s opening sequence, in which the four cowboys ride into town. The city’s old-fashioned buildings and winding streets gave the movie an authentic western feel. In addition, the city’s unique cultural heritage and vibrant art scene provided a unique backdrop for the movie’s characters.
Monument Valley, Arizona
Monument Valley’s sweeping vistas and majestic sandstone formations provided the perfect backdrop for Silverado’s horseback chase scenes. The area’s rugged terrain and stunning landscapes added an air of authenticity to the movie, and have since become one of the most iconic locations in western cinema.
Cimarron, New Mexico
Cimarron’s rugged terrain and dramatic landscapes made it the ideal place to film Silverado’s climactic battle between the cowboys and the sheriff. The area’s stunning scenery provided the perfect backdrop for the movie’s action sequences, and helped set the stage for the movie’s thrilling conclusion.
Durango, Colorado
Durango’s historic downtown area and proximity to the Rocky Mountains made it the perfect setting for Silverado’s flashback sequences. The area’s old-fashioned buildings and quaint streets gave the movie an authentic western feel, and helped bring the story to life.
Setting the Scene: Visiting the Filming Locations of Silverado
Visiting the filming locations of Silverado is a great way to explore the wild west backdrops featured in the movie. Let’s take a virtual tour of the movie’s production sites and see how they helped bring the story to life.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant art scene. Visitors can explore the city’s old-fashioned buildings and winding streets, visit the sites of Silverado’s key scenes, and get a taste of the wild west.
Monument Valley, Arizona
Monument Valley is a region located on the Arizona-Utah border. It is home to a number of spectacular sandstone formations, including the iconic Mittens Butte and Merrick Butte. Visitors can explore the area’s rugged terrain and breathtaking views, and experience the same wild west backdrops featured in Silverado.
Cimarron, New Mexico
Cimarron is a small town located in northern New Mexico. It is known for its picturesque mountain scenery and rugged terrain. Visitors can explore the area’s dramatic landscapes and experience the same wild west setting featured in the movie.
Durango, Colorado
Durango is a city located in southwestern Colorado. The city is known for its historic downtown area and its proximity to the Rocky Mountains. Visitors can explore the area’s old-fashioned buildings and quaint streets, and experience the same wild west setting featured in Silverado.
Conclusion
Silverado is a classic western that was filmed on location in four different states. The movie’s wild west backdrops have become some of the most iconic locations in western cinema. This article has explored the filming locations of Silverado, uncovered the secrets behind the scenes of the movie’s production, and taken a tour of the wild west backdrops featured in the film. We’ve examined how these locations shaped the look and feel of the movie, and discovered how they helped bring the story to life.
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