Shepperton Studios
Encyclopedia
Shepperton Studios is a film studio in Shepperton
, Surrey
, England
with a history dating back to 1931 since when many notable films have been made there. It is now part of The Pinewood Studios Group
together with Pinewood
and Teddington Studios
in the UK, and Pinewood Toronto Studios in Canada, Pinewood Indomina Studios
in the Dominican Republic, Pinewood Studio Berlin
in Germany and Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios
in Malaysia.
Scottish businessman Norman Loudon purchased Littleton Park in 1931 for use by his new film company, Sound Film Producing & Recording Studios; the facility opened in 1932. The studio, which produced both shorts and features, was quickly successful and rapidly expanded. Proximity to the Vickers-Armstrongs aircraft factory at Brooklands
, which attracted German bombers, disrupted filming in World War II
, as did the requisitioning of the studio in 1941 by the government, who first used it for sugar storage and later to create decoy aircraft and munitions for positioning in the Middle East. The Ministry of Aircraft Production also took over part of the studios for dispersed production of Vickers Wellington
bomber components early in WW2.
After reopening in 1945, the studio changed hands. When Sir Alexander Korda purchased British Lion Films
, he also acquired a controlling interest in Sound City and Shepperton Studios. Among the notable films produced at the studio during this period was 1949's The Third Man
, which was not only critically acclaimed at the time with a Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival
, the British Academy Award for Best Film, and an Academy Award for Best Black and White Cinematography
in 1950, but which has continued its critical acclaim, including being selected in 1999 by the British Film Institute
as the best British film of the 20th century
.
In spite of such successes, British Lion ran into financial difficulties in the 1950s when it could not repay a 1949 loan from the National Film Finance Corporation and went into receivership
. In January 1955, a new company, British Lion Films, took control. Helming Shepperton Studios then were Roy and John Boulting. The studio produced their comedies, like I'm All Right Jack
, as well as other features like J. Lee Thompson
's The Guns of Navarone
and Steve Sekely
's The Day of the Triffids. In spite of financial ups and downs at British Lion and changing of hands, the studio remained active until the early 1970s. In 1969, the studio made 27 films. By 1971, that number had diminished to seven. Production varied through the 1970s to reach a low in 1979 of two.
Among the issues faced by Shepperton during that time was the desire of new British Lion head John Bentley to sell Shepperton for housing, since repurposing the land would almost double its value. Films made during this turbulent time include Richard Attenborough
's Young Winston
(1972) and Fred Zinnemann
's The Day of the Jackal
.The British film industry proposed a compromise, and in 1973 the studio was reduced from 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) to 20. In 1975, the studio changed hands and in spite of low production schedules was a filming site of some notable features, including Richard Donner
's The Omen
(1976), Franklin Schaffner
's The Boys from Brazil
(1978), Ridley Scott
's Alien
(1979), David Lynch
's The Elephant Man
(1980), Attenborough's Gandhi
(1982) and David Lean's A Passage to India
(1984).
In 1984, the studio changed hands again, coming under the control of brothers John and Benny Lee, who renovated the studio but soon lost control as a combined result of 1987's Black Monday
, the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike
and internal issues in Lee International
PLC. Bankers Warburg Pincus
took control, and Shepperton became busy in filming television shows as well as such films as Franco Zeffirelli
’s Hamlet
(1990), Kevin Reynolds' Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
(1991) and Nicholas Hytner
's The Madness of King George
(1994). In 1995, the studio was purchased by a consortium headed by Ridley
and Tony Scott
, which extensively renovated the studios while also expanding and improving its grounds.
In 2001, Shepperton merged with Pinewood Studios, forming The Pinewood Studios Group.
Shepperton Studios is often described as the home for independent filmmaking in the UK but it should be noted that along with hosting independent films and television, the studios have been the home of huge blockbusters such as Captain America: The First Avenger
(2011), which used eight of the fifteen stages at Shepperton.
As stated above, Shepperton Studios was built on the estate of Little House. Today the House and grounds can be used as a filming location and has been for films such as The Omen
(1976) and The Young Victoria
(2009).
The studio also has two huge backlots, which have recently been used to create two huge castle compounds for the upcoming feature film 47 Ronin.
Shepperton
Shepperton is a town in the borough of Spelthorne, Surrey, England. To the south it is bounded by the river Thames at Desborough Island and is bisected by the M3 motorway...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with a history dating back to 1931 since when many notable films have been made there. It is now part of The Pinewood Studios Group
The Pinewood Studios Group
The Pinewood Studios Group is a multinational film studio company headquartered in Iver Heath, United Kingdom...
together with Pinewood
Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios is a major British film studio situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, approximately west of central London. The studios have played host to many productions over the years from huge blockbuster films to television shows to commercials to pop promos.The purchase of Shepperton...
and Teddington Studios
Teddington Studios
Teddington Studios is a large British television studio complex located in Teddington, South-West London, providing studio facilities for programmes airing on BBC television, ITV, and Channel 4 along with others...
in the UK, and Pinewood Toronto Studios in Canada, Pinewood Indomina Studios
Pinewood Indomina Studios
Pinewood Indomina Studios is a major film and television studio complex in the Dominican Republic.-History:Pinewood Indomina Studios was born out of a long-term agreement between The Pinewood Studios Group and the Indomina Group to build and operate a new film and television studio complex in the...
in the Dominican Republic, Pinewood Studio Berlin
Pinewood Studio Berlin
Pinewood Studio Berlin is a partnership between The Pinewood Studios Group and Studio Hamburg GmbH. The venture provides film production services and first class film and TV stages to European and international filmmakers, making it easier to take advantage of the benefits of filming in...
in Germany and Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios
Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios
Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios will open in 2013 providing the Asian-Pacific with a state-of-the-art studio complex managed by The Pinewood Studios Group, whose portfolio includes Pinewood Studios, Shepperton Studios, Teddington Studios, Pinewood Toronto Studios, Pinewood Indomina Studios and...
in Malaysia.
History
Before there was Shepperton Studios, there was Littleton Park, which was built in the seventeenth century by local nobleman, Thomas Wood. The mansion still stands proudly on the 60-acre site.Scottish businessman Norman Loudon purchased Littleton Park in 1931 for use by his new film company, Sound Film Producing & Recording Studios; the facility opened in 1932. The studio, which produced both shorts and features, was quickly successful and rapidly expanded. Proximity to the Vickers-Armstrongs aircraft factory at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
, which attracted German bombers, disrupted filming in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, as did the requisitioning of the studio in 1941 by the government, who first used it for sugar storage and later to create decoy aircraft and munitions for positioning in the Middle East. The Ministry of Aircraft Production also took over part of the studios for dispersed production of Vickers Wellington
Vickers Wellington
The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engine, long range medium bomber designed in the mid-1930s at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, by Vickers-Armstrongs' Chief Designer, R. K. Pierson. It was widely used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, before being displaced as a...
bomber components early in WW2.
After reopening in 1945, the studio changed hands. When Sir Alexander Korda purchased British Lion Films
British Lion Films
British Lion Films Corporation is a film production and distribution company active under several forms since 1919. Until 1976 they were also film distributors as British Lion Films Ltd, with a distributor filmography of 232 films. As a production company they are still active and have produced...
, he also acquired a controlling interest in Sound City and Shepperton Studios. Among the notable films produced at the studio during this period was 1949's The Third Man
The Third Man
The Third Man is a 1949 British film noir, directed by Carol Reed and starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard. Many critics rank it as a masterpiece, particularly remembered for its atmospheric cinematography, performances, and unique musical score...
, which was not only critically acclaimed at the time with a Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival
1949 Cannes Film Festival
The 3rd Cannes Film Festival was held on September 2-17, 1949. No festival was held in 1948.- Jury :The entire jury for this festival were French.*Georges Huisman *Jules Romains *Mme...
, the British Academy Award for Best Film, and an Academy Award for Best Black and White Cinematography
Academy Award for Best Cinematography
The Academy Award for Best Cinematography is an Academy Award awarded each year to a cinematographer for work in one particular motion picture.-History:...
in 1950, but which has continued its critical acclaim, including being selected in 1999 by the British Film Institute
British Film Institute
The British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
as the best British film of the 20th century
BFI Top 100 British films
In 1999 the British Film Institute surveyed 1000 people from the world of British film and television to produce the BFI 100 list of the greatest British films of the 20th century. Voters were asked to choose up to 100 films that were 'culturally British'...
.
In spite of such successes, British Lion ran into financial difficulties in the 1950s when it could not repay a 1949 loan from the National Film Finance Corporation and went into receivership
Receivership
In law, receivership is the situation in which an institution or enterprise is being held by a receiver, a person "placed in the custodial responsibility for the property of others, including tangible and intangible assets and rights." The receivership remedy is an equitable remedy that emerged in...
. In January 1955, a new company, British Lion Films, took control. Helming Shepperton Studios then were Roy and John Boulting. The studio produced their comedies, like I'm All Right Jack
I'm All Right Jack
I'm All Right Jack is a 1959 British comedy film directed and produced by John and Roy Boulting from a script by Frank Harvey, John Boulting and Alan Hackney, based on the novel Private Life by Hackney...
, as well as other features like J. Lee Thompson
J. Lee Thompson
John Lee Thompson , better known as J. Lee Thompson, was an English film director, active in England and Hollywood.- Early years :...
's The Guns of Navarone
The Guns of Navarone (film)
The Guns of Navarone is a 1961 British-American Action/Adventure war film based on the 1957 novel of the same name about the Dodecanese Campaign of World War II by Scottish thriller writer Alistair MacLean. It stars Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn, along with Anthony Quayle and Stanley...
and Steve Sekely
Steve Sekely
Steve Sekely was a Hungarian film director. Born Székely István, he was known by several names, based on his changing professional and immigration status, including Stefan Szekely.He directed films in Hungarian, German, and English....
's The Day of the Triffids. In spite of financial ups and downs at British Lion and changing of hands, the studio remained active until the early 1970s. In 1969, the studio made 27 films. By 1971, that number had diminished to seven. Production varied through the 1970s to reach a low in 1979 of two.
Among the issues faced by Shepperton during that time was the desire of new British Lion head John Bentley to sell Shepperton for housing, since repurposing the land would almost double its value. Films made during this turbulent time include Richard Attenborough
Richard Attenborough
Richard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough , CBE is a British actor, director, producer and entrepreneur. As director and producer he won two Academy Awards for the 1982 film Gandhi...
's Young Winston
Young Winston
Young Winston is a 1972 British film based on the early years of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.The film was based on the book My Early Life: A Roving Commission by Winston Churchill. The first part of the film covers Churchill's unhappy schooldays, up to the death of his father...
(1972) and Fred Zinnemann
Fred Zinnemann
Fred Zinnemann was an Austrian-American film director. He won four Academy Awards and directed films like High Noon, From Here to Eternity and A Man for All Seasons.-Life and career:...
's The Day of the Jackal
The Day of the Jackal (film)
The Day of the Jackal is a 1973 Anglo-French film, set in August 1963 and based on the novel of the same name by Frederick Forsyth. Directed by Fred Zinnemann, it stars Edward Fox as the assassin known only as "the Jackal" who is hired to assassinate Charles de Gaulle.- Synopsis :The film opens...
.The British film industry proposed a compromise, and in 1973 the studio was reduced from 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) to 20. In 1975, the studio changed hands and in spite of low production schedules was a filming site of some notable features, including Richard Donner
Richard Donner
Richard Donner is an American film director, film producer, and comic book writer.The production company The Donners' Company is owned by Donner and his wife, producer Lauren Shuler Donner. After directing the horror film The Omen, Donner became famous for the hailed creation of the first modern...
's The Omen
The Omen
An original score for the film, including the movie's theme song Ave Satani, was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, for which he received the only Oscar of his long career. The score features a strong choral segment, with a foreboding Latin chant...
(1976), Franklin Schaffner
Franklin Schaffner
Franklin James Schaffner was an American film director best known for such films as Planet of the Apes , Patton , Papillon , and The Boys from Brazil .-Early life:...
's The Boys from Brazil
The Boys from Brazil (film)
The Boys from Brazil is a 1978 British/American science fiction/thriller film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. It stars Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier, with James Mason, Lilli Palmer, Uta Hagen and Steve Guttenberg in supporting roles...
(1978), Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
's Alien
Alien (film)
Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto. The film's title refers to its primary antagonist: a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature which...
(1979), David Lynch
David Lynch
David Keith Lynch is an American filmmaker, television director, visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound...
's The Elephant Man
The Elephant Man (film)
The Elephant Man is a 1980 American drama film based on the true story of Joseph Merrick , a severely deformed man in 19th century London...
(1980), Attenborough's Gandhi
Gandhi (film)
Gandhi is a 1982 biographical film based on the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who led the nonviolent resistance movement against British colonial rule in India during the first half of the 20th century. The film was directed by Richard Attenborough and stars Ben Kingsley as Gandhi. They both...
(1982) and David Lean's A Passage to India
A Passage to India (film)
A Passage to India is a 1984 drama film written and directed by David Lean. The screenplay is based on the 1924 novel of the same title by E. M. Forster and the 1960 play by Santha Rama Rau that was inspired by the novel....
(1984).
In 1984, the studio changed hands again, coming under the control of brothers John and Benny Lee, who renovated the studio but soon lost control as a combined result of 1987's Black Monday
Black Monday (1987)
In finance, Black Monday refers to Monday October 19, 1987, when stock markets around the world crashed, shedding a huge value in a very short time. The crash began in Hong Kong and spread west to Europe, hitting the United States after other markets had already declined by a significant margin...
, the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike
1988 Writers Guild of America strike
The 1988 Writers Guild of America strike was a strike action taken by members of both the Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West against major United States television and film studios represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers...
and internal issues in Lee International
Lee International
-Early history:Lee Electric Ltd was incorporated as a business in 1961 by John Lee and Benny Lee , two film lighting electricians...
PLC. Bankers Warburg Pincus
Warburg Pincus
Warburg Pincus, LLC is an American private equity firm with offices in the United States, Europe, Brazil and Asia. It has been a private equity investor since 1966...
took control, and Shepperton became busy in filming television shows as well as such films as Franco Zeffirelli
Franco Zeffirelli
Franco Zeffirelli KBE is an Italian director and producer of films and television. He is also a director and designer of operas and a former senator for the Italian center-right Forza Italia party....
’s Hamlet
Hamlet (1990 film)
Hamlet is a 1990 drama film based on the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet. It was directed by Franco Zeffirelli, with Mel Gibson as the young Prince Hamlet...
(1990), Kevin Reynolds' Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a 1991 American adventure film directed by Kevin Reynolds. Kevin Costner heads the cast list as Robin Hood...
(1991) and Nicholas Hytner
Nicholas Hytner
Sir Nicholas Robert Hytner is an English film and theatre producer and director. He has been the artistic director of London's National Theatre since 2003.-Biography:...
's The Madness of King George
The Madness of King George
The Madness of King George is a 1994 film directed by Nicholas Hytner and adapted by Alan Bennett from his own play, The Madness of George III. It tells the true story of George III's deteriorating mental health, and his equally declining relationship with his son, the Prince of Wales, particularly...
(1994). In 1995, the studio was purchased by a consortium headed by Ridley
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
and Tony Scott
Tony Scott
Anthony D. L. "Tony" Scott is an English film director. His films include Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, The Last Boy Scout, True Romance, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, Spy Game, Man on Fire, Déjà Vu, The Taking of Pelham 123, and Unstoppable...
, which extensively renovated the studios while also expanding and improving its grounds.
In 2001, Shepperton merged with Pinewood Studios, forming The Pinewood Studios Group.
Stages and locations
There are fifteen stages at Shepperton ranging from 3,000 sq ft to 30,000 sq ft, including five with interior tanks.Shepperton Studios is often described as the home for independent filmmaking in the UK but it should be noted that along with hosting independent films and television, the studios have been the home of huge blockbusters such as Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America: The First Avenger is a 2011 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Captain America. It is the fifth installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe...
(2011), which used eight of the fifteen stages at Shepperton.
As stated above, Shepperton Studios was built on the estate of Little House. Today the House and grounds can be used as a filming location and has been for films such as The Omen
The Omen
An original score for the film, including the movie's theme song Ave Satani, was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, for which he received the only Oscar of his long career. The score features a strong choral segment, with a foreboding Latin chant...
(1976) and The Young Victoria
The Young Victoria
The Young Victoria is a 2009 period drama film based on the early life and reign of Queen Victoria, and her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The film was directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and written by screenwriter Julian Fellowes. Graham King, Martin Scorsese, Sarah, Duchess of...
(2009).
The studio also has two huge backlots, which have recently been used to create two huge castle compounds for the upcoming feature film 47 Ronin.
Post production
Pinewood and Shepperton's FACT accredited post production departments are hugely successful with a BAFTA and OSCAR winning team.Awards
The studio was awarded with the Academy Award for Best Sound in 1969 for the film Oliver!.Filmography
Many productions have used facilities and/or services at Shepperton Studios. The list below is far from exhausted.- The Fallen IdolThe Fallen IdolThe Fallen Idol is a 1948 film directed by Carol Reed and based on the short story The Basement Room, by Graham Greene...
(1948) - The Third ManThe Third ManThe Third Man is a 1949 British film noir, directed by Carol Reed and starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard. Many critics rank it as a masterpiece, particularly remembered for its atmospheric cinematography, performances, and unique musical score...
(1949) - Oliver! (1969)
- Young WinstonYoung WinstonYoung Winston is a 1972 British film based on the early years of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.The film was based on the book My Early Life: A Roving Commission by Winston Churchill. The first part of the film covers Churchill's unhappy schooldays, up to the death of his father...
(1972) - The OmenThe OmenAn original score for the film, including the movie's theme song Ave Satani, was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, for which he received the only Oscar of his long career. The score features a strong choral segment, with a foreboding Latin chant...
(1976) - The Boys from BrazilThe Boys from Brazil (film)The Boys from Brazil is a 1978 British/American science fiction/thriller film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. It stars Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier, with James Mason, Lilli Palmer, Uta Hagen and Steve Guttenberg in supporting roles...
(1978) - AlienAlien (film)Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto. The film's title refers to its primary antagonist: a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature which...
(1979) - The Elephant ManThe Elephant Man (film)The Elephant Man is a 1980 American drama film based on the true story of Joseph Merrick , a severely deformed man in 19th century London...
(1980)
- GandhiGandhi (film)Gandhi is a 1982 biographical film based on the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who led the nonviolent resistance movement against British colonial rule in India during the first half of the 20th century. The film was directed by Richard Attenborough and stars Ben Kingsley as Gandhi. They both...
(1982) - A Passage to IndiaA Passage to India (film)A Passage to India is a 1984 drama film written and directed by David Lean. The screenplay is based on the 1924 novel of the same title by E. M. Forster and the 1960 play by Santha Rama Rau that was inspired by the novel....
(1984) - HamletHamlet (1990 film)Hamlet is a 1990 drama film based on the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet. It was directed by Franco Zeffirelli, with Mel Gibson as the young Prince Hamlet...
(1990) - Robin Hood: Prince of ThievesRobin Hood: Prince of ThievesRobin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a 1991 American adventure film directed by Kevin Reynolds. Kevin Costner heads the cast list as Robin Hood...
(1991) - The Madness of King GeorgeThe Madness of King GeorgeThe Madness of King George is a 1994 film directed by Nicholas Hytner and adapted by Alan Bennett from his own play, The Madness of George III. It tells the true story of George III's deteriorating mental health, and his equally declining relationship with his son, the Prince of Wales, particularly...
(1994) - The Young VictoriaThe Young VictoriaThe Young Victoria is a 2009 period drama film based on the early life and reign of Queen Victoria, and her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The film was directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and written by screenwriter Julian Fellowes. Graham King, Martin Scorsese, Sarah, Duchess of...
(2009) - Captain America: The First AvengerCaptain America: The First AvengerCaptain America: The First Avenger is a 2011 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Captain America. It is the fifth installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe...
(2011)