Walking In The Footsteps of Famous People
Famous Current/Past Residents of Pulborough or surrounding villages
- Dame Maggie Smith: The Harry Potter and Downton Abbey star lived in a 15th-century farmhouse in the area.
- Dame Julie Walters: The award-winning actress also lives in the Pulborough area.
- Harry Enfield: The comedian went to school in the area.
- Percy Bysshe Shelley: The Romantic poet lived at Champions Farm, which was built by his family.
- Harry Price: A renowned "ghostbuster," magician, and author, who lived and died in Pulborough, buried in St Mary's graveyard.
- Charles Frend: A filmmaker and director (e.g., The Cruel Sea) born in Pulborough.
- Ethel Walker & Clara Christian: Artists who lived on Toat Lane in the 1890s.
- Guy Harwood: A notable horse racing trainer.
Famous Movies shot Locally
It may surprise you to learn that our corner of West Sussex has a bigger filmography than some actors. Here are a few movies you may have seen where scenery may look familiar.
Mary, Queen of Scots - 1971
Mary, Queen of Scots, is a British-American biographical film based on the life of Mary Stuart. Leading an all-star cast are Vanessa Redgrave as the title character and Glenda Jackson as Elizabeth I.
History tells us that Elizabeth and Mary never actually met; but they did in the film! This meeting took place at Fotheringay Castle, which was filmed at Parham House, Storrington.
A View to a Kill - 1985
A View to a Kill is the 14th in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions, and the last to star Roger Moore.
Zorin planned to destroy the Silicon Valley in an earthquake. The abandoned silver mine involved in this ploy wasn't actually in California however, but was in fact the Amberley Working Museum!
The Da Vinci Code - 2006
Shoreham airport, also known as Brighton City airport, played a key role in the 2006 movie. It is featured in the end sequence of the escape from France and acts as 'Le Bourget' airport.
The Da Vinci Code is based on the best-selling novel of the same name and stars huge names such as Tom Hanks, Adurey Tautou and Sir Ian McKellen.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age - 2007
The rolling hills at Petworth appear in a scene where the Queen goes riding with Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen).
There are some startling moments in this Sellar-and-Yeatman retelling of the story of England’s Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I, and her golden years. The story begins in 1585, as Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) must contend with plots directed by Spain’s Philip II to topple her with a seaborne invasion.
Wonder Woman – 2007
Arundel Castle makes a guest appearance as a German-controlled castle.
Hopes for DC’s plan to deliver a shot of oestrogen to the superhero movie genre are disappointed in a silly plot that enlists Diana of Themyscira, AKA Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), to help win World War I.
Maleficent - 2014
Also filmed at Petworth Park, which doubles up as Maleficent’s moors in this live-action retelling of the Disney 1959 animated classic, Sleeping Beauty. In addition to the pitch-perfect casting of Angelina Jolie in the title role, the screenplay adds a daring feminist spin to the source material and reveals the elements of the evil fairy’s betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone.
Mr Turner - 2014
Petworth House and Park appear again, as the home of one of JMW Turner’s greatest patrons – George Wyndham, third Earl of Egremont – and shines in Mike Leigh’s biopic of the great Romantic painter. Timothy Spall gives an admirably warty and unpleasant performance as Turner, an arrogant and uncompromising man who’s annoyed by his celebrity in Britain but shocked when the public turns against his work.
Stan And Ollie – 2014
Worthing Lido plays a starring role in this BBC-funded film which features Sussex-based actor Steve Coogan and John C Reilly as the famous comedy duo as they embark on a music hall tour of the UK in 1953. The two leads excel in his bittersweet film about the twilight years of the great double act.
Source: Wikipedia