Throughout the years, many directors have come forward with their adaptation of the Cinderella story. Still, none of them could live up to Andy Tennant’s Nostalgic Ever After, released on July 31st, 1998.
The movie had a fresh concept and was more historically centered than the other films. Moreover, Drew Barrymore has admitted that her role as Danielle in Ever After was one of her favorite characters she had ever played in a movie. In the 16th century, the story revolved around Danielle de Barbara, who started living with her rude stepmother and sisters after her father’s death.
Although the overall storyline is like any other Cinderella movie, Ever After has a more post-feminist interpretation and consists of historical figures such as King Francis, Leonardo da Vinci, and Prince Henry. These characters are just a part of the movie and do not represent an actual historical event in the film.
After its release in 1998, Ever After collected almost $98 million at the box office, and it continues to be a popular adaptation of Cinderella’s tale. The cast of the movie includes Drew Barrymore, Dougray Scott (Prince Henry), Anjelica Huston (Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, Stepmother), Jeanne Moreau (Grande Dame), and Patrick Godfrey (Leonardo da Vinci).
Where Was Ever After Filmed? All Locations
Most of the filming of Ever After took place in various regions spread all over France. Filmed in Super 35 format, the cinematographer for the movie was Andrew Dunn, who has also been a part of movies like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Endless Love, and What a Girl Wants. The known filming locations of Ever After include:
Château de Hautefort, Dordogne, France
A fairytale movie deserves a location, and Château de Hautefort matches the criteria. Located in the Dordogne district of France, this beautiful medieval fortress was built sometime in the 17th century and continues to be one of the most visited tourist attractions in the area.
In the movie, the Château represents King Francis’ castle, where he resides with his wife, Queen Marie, and son, Prince Henry. Most of the movie’s dialogue exchange scenes occur within this place. The Château is accompanied by different kinds of gardens, which make the place look right out of a children’s fairytale book.
Other movies filmed at this Château include Eye of The Devil (1966) and Molière (1978). Château de Hautefort’s filled with tourists worldwide to view its French-style gardens and parks.
Château de la Roussie, Sarlat-la-Caneda, France
This is where Auguste and his daughter, Danielle, live after the death of his wife. To ensure that Danielle doesn’t miss out on their mother’s love, Auguste de Barbara marries Rodmilla de Ghent, who turns out to be the worst stepmother Danielle could have ever had.
All scenes concerning the Barbarac house were filmed in Château de la Roussie, located in Sarlat-la-Caneda, a commune in France. The place is also a popular tourist destination, mostly due to its abundance of medieval architecture buildings.
Château de Fénélon, Dordogne, France
Both Château de Fénélon and Château de la Russie served as the filming locations for Danielle’s house. Château de Fénélon is where most scenes showing the exterior of the Barbarac house were taken. Despite its beautiful medieval structure, the Château now remains a national heritage site that tourists only visit.
Château de Fénélon is historically significant, as its where a well-known archbishop, François Fénélon, was born. The Château is privately owned but has been a filming location for other movies like The Last Duel (2021) and Vice and Virtue (1963).
Château de Losse, France
They are located in Dordogne; some Ever After scenes were filmed in this Château, particularly due to its Renaissance architecture. The place was listed as a monument in 1928 and is now part of Dordogne’s collection of beautiful history-filled Châteaux. Other films and TV shows filmed here include Looking for a Thrill and The First Musketeer.
Ever After: A Cinderella Story can stream at Disney+ and Prime Video in limited locations.
Also Read: Harry Potter Films Filming Locations: Every Movie of the Franchise
