War Horse Putting Dartmoor On the Map
Written by Nigel Beck on 16th January 2012
Dartmoor is set to become a must see destination in 2012 thanks to the release of the new Spielberg film War Horse.
The film is released in the UK on 13th January and focuses on the moving story of a Devon farm boy who joins the army in an effort to search for his horse, Joey, after he is sold into the cavalry and shipped to France during the First World War. The Michael Morpurgo story has already been adapted for the stage and has been a hit in London’s West End. The ambitious film will definitely be a tearjerker and early reviews tip it for an Oscar.
Steven Spielberg spent many weeks on Dartmoor, back in August 2010 and by all accounts was spellbound by its beauty, saying, “I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor.”
In fact, South Devon has been the site for scenes shot in many films and TV shows. Torquay and indeed the English Riviera as a whole have inspired such hits as Fawlty Towers as well as being the backdrop for such things as Miss Marple, Churchill: The Hollywood Years (Christian Slater & Neve Campbell…), Blackball (Paul Kaye, Vince Vaughn, Johnny Vegas…) and TV programmes such as the BBC’s The Zoo Keepers (filmed at Paignton Zoo) and Channel 5′s Milkshake Monkey (Children’s prog, 2009). Those of us on the wrong side of 40 will also no doubt remember the Onedin Line, shot in Dartmouth! And bringing us bang up to date, we have Channel 4’s The Hotel causing quite a stir and the recent episode of BBC’s Sherlock showed Dartmoor in all it’s haunting beauty.
Some of these locations are on your doorstep when you stay in Torquay and even those in more rural locations are still only within a short driving distance. You too can experience the beauty that Devon has to offer, visit the sites and inspiration for so many films and set the scene for your own great holiday by staying at TLH Leisure Resort , so well placed for access to many parts of Devon and Cornwall. Why not come down and plan your own location break? There’s nothing quite like visiting the places you’ve seen and enjoyed on the big screen.
Take a look at your holiday options here or call 01803 400500 to find out more.
