Ammonite is a 2020 film directed by Francis Lee starring Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet and Academy Award-nominee Saoirse Ronan that tells the story of Mary Anning, a paleontologist living in the 1840s in the Dorset region of England.
Shot on location with beautiful cinematography, editing, and great performances, the film tells us a romance story between Winslet’s and Ronan’s characters against the backdrop of a society that not only frowned upon same-sex relationships but also had reservations about women working in the STEM field. Let’s take a look at the filming locations for this period drama.
Ammonite Filming Locations
Director Francis Lee shot Ammonite with the cast and crew entirely on location in Dorset, England. Dorset is located in the Southwest of that country and is known for its Jurassic Coast – a World Heritage Site. Now, we’re going to explore in detail a few things about Dorset.
Dorset, England
Ammonite is a film based on the life of a paleontologist that lived in that region in the 1840s and did work on that region digging up, studying, and discovering fossils that lie within the seabed of the coastline of that region.
Why Is It Called The Jurassic Coast?
The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site because it spans 95 miles of coastline in Dorset and East Devon. The geology of this region makes it an incredible place to explore the history of life on Earth, as it contains 185 million years of geological history. It’s called the Jurassic Coast because that period is best represented by the rocks found along its shoreline.
What Is A World Heritage Site?
A World Heritage Site is a type of protected area recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These sites are designated to protect areas that have cultural, historical, or natural significance. They are places of importance to humanity and should be preserved for future generations. The Jurassic Coast is one such site.
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Town Makeover
The film takes us to Lyme Regis town, where Anning developed her work and lived. When this movie was filmed, the cast and crew did some work fixing the exteriors of some parts of this town to make it look as though we were being transported back in time to the 1840s, as Lyme Regis now looks very different in the present day.
One of the filming locations was Lulworth Cove in Dorset, located on the Jurassic Coast. The cove’s unique curved shape made it an ideal choice for setting up camp and shooting scenes.
An additional location was the Church of St Mary, situated right next to Lulworth Cove. Also, we see the Bell Cliff Stairs, the Dorset docks and moats, as well as the lush coastlines that make the setting a protagonist for the romantic drama we witness in the movie stemming from Winslet’s and Ronan’s amazing performances.
The Coastline Is A Big Protagonist
We can’t talk about Ammonite’s filming locations without mentioning Chatham Dockyard, Charmouth, and Eype Beaches, where some of the dialogues of Winslet’s character take place. These locations provided a bigger canvas for the romance between Winslet’s and Ronan’s characters to flourish, set in a stunning backdrop.
Overall, Dorset not only served as an aesthetically pleasing location for Ammonite but also gave us viewers the space to explore the complexities of its protagonists. This film was truly unique in its own right, and if you’re ever in Dorset on vacation, you’ll recognize the cliffs, shorelines, and beaches because they are unique formations. Maybe, if you’re lucky, when you take a walk down the beach, you’ll find a fossil to take home as a souvenir.
What Can You See On The Jurassic Coast?
The Jurassic Coast is known for its incredible array of fossils, from marine creatures to dinosaur remains. It’s also home to stunning cliffs, beaches, and waterfalls, as well as several historical sites like the Iron Age hill fort at Durlston Country Park. There are also plenty of activities for visitors, such as fossil hunting and sea kayaking.
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