Filming in Hastings and 1066 Country
Sir Michael Caine filming on Hastings seafront
Notable Productions
"Being in Hastings is fantastic. Everything has been made so easy for us - we'll definitely be back!"
Anthony Horowitz, Creator 'Stormbreaker', 'Foyle's War'
Joe's Palace
BBC
Writer-Director Stephen Poliakoff brought Michael Gambon ('Harry Potter') and Rupert Penry-Jones ('Spooks') to Bodiam Castle for this study of a relationship between a reclusive billionaire and the naive teenage son of a cleaner.
Is There Anybody There?
Heyday Films
Harry Potter producers Heyday Films' brought Sir Michael Caine ('Batman Begins') and Anne-Marie Duff ('Shameless') to Hastings for this 80s set comedy-drama. Extensive filming took place on the West Hill and seafront.
Foyle's War
BAFTA-winning drama series. Greenlit Productions/ITV
The biggest production ever to come to Hastings first visited us in 2001 when a chance conversation between Council Officers and series creator Anthony Horowitz saw the town become the only South Coast location in the show to keep its name! Foyle's War is a massive production that requires huge logistical support from the Council. Thanks to our strong links with the producer, we've even been able to publish a special tie-in book which is now on its fourth edition!
Find out more about the unique relationship between our town and this phenomenally successful show on our Foyle's War pages .
When I Was Twelve
BBC Drama.
BAFTA award-winning director Dominic Savage brought this controversial drama about runaway children to us in late 2001 after struggling to find a local authority willing to help with the production. After carefully considering the content of the script and balancing it against the sophistication of the target audience (post watershed BBC2) we worked closely with his team on major night shoots throughout the town. Find out more about this fascinating director and his 'challenging methods' (!!) on the BBC Film Network site.
The Final Curtain
Feature Film. Universal
Written by John Hodge, part of the team behind 'Shallow Grave' and 'Trainspotting', this thriller about a fading television personality who turns to murder starred Peter O'Toole, Adrian Lester and Aiden Gillen. In addition to arranging accommodation for the lead actor and lunch for over thirty crew members, we also sealed off a large section of the West Hill for a master shot in which Hastings doubled up as Cleethorpes! Find out more about the film at the internet movie database.
Some Voices
Feature Film. Film Four.
Simon Cellan Jones brought new 007 Daniel Craig, 'Basic Instinct 2' and 'Blackpool' star David Morrissey and Kelly Macdonald to town for extensive filming throughout the town centre as part of this wry, touching portrait of schizophrenia. Find out more about the film at the internet movie database.
Last of the Blonde Bombshells
BBC Drama.
Starring Judi Dench (in a role that won her a Golden Globe, this major production came to town for several days and saw our seafront given a loving period touch. Find out more about the film at the internet movie database.
I Want You
Feature Film. Polygram.
Acclaimed director Michael Winterbottom's dark fable saw Alessandro Nivola and Rachel Weisz spend two weeks in Hastings, filming extensively on the beaches and throughout the Town Centre. Find out more about the film at the internet movie database.
Grey Owl
Feature Film. 20th Century Fox.
Directed by Lord Attenborough and starring the then 007 Pierce Brosnan, this loving biopic of Grey Owl, one of Hastings' most famous sons, came to town for four days in the late Summer with filming taking place on Milward Road and along several other streets. In partnership with 20th Century Fox, we even arranged for a unique charity premiere to take place at the Hastings Odeon which saw Lord Attenborough himself in attendance and tied in with the very first 'Shot by the Sea' film festival. Find out more about the film at the internet movie database.
My Boy Jack
ITV Drama
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe came to Batemans to film scenes for this major ITV1 drama. The film tells the tragic true story of how Rudyard Kipling used his influence to secure his beloved a son a commission in World War One only for the boy to go missing within days.
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