Due to its diverse landscapes, architecture, neighbourhoods and population, the East Coast city of Philadelphia has solidified its place as a major filmmaking hub and is a popular choice for many Hollywood producers and screenwriters to use in iconic film scenes.
Those looking for travel inspiration from home this spring can view several of Philadelphia’s iconic sights by watching one of the many blockbuster films the city has starred in. These include Academy Award-winning film Rocky, which sees Sylvester Stallone famously climb the 72 steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and The Sixth Sense, which was filmed entirely in the city. Viewers can also see Philadelphia-native Bradley Cooper act on the streets of his hometown in Silver Linings Playbook, as well as films such as National Treasure with Nicholas Cage and of course the award-winning Philadelphia with Tom Hanks.
Rocky (1976)
One of the most recognisable Philadelphia-based films, and winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1977, Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky profiles underdog boxer Rocky Balboa as he trains his way towards a bout against champion boxer Apollo Creed. Undeniably the most iconic moment from the film is Rocky’s training montage that takes him throughout the city – passing through the Italian Market, running by the Delaware River Waterfront, along the Schuylkill River Trail, and eventually up the 72 steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Fans can also find Rocky’s home at 1818 Tusculum Street and Adrian’s Restaurant from the Creed films at 1303 Dickinson Street, which is the current home of the Jazz-centric Victor Café. Mighty Mick’s Boxing Gym, which is where the Italian Stallion spends his time training, can still be found at 2147 North Front Street.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
The thriller that put Philadelphia-raised director M. Night Shyamalan on the map, The Sixth Sense was filmed entirely in the city of Philadelphia. Many scenes are filmed around the Rittenhouse and Graduate Hospital neighbourhoods and those visiting the city later in the year can look for Bruce Willis’ character’s home along Delancey Place. One of the film’s recurring locations is St. Augustine’s Church in Philadelphia’s neighbourhood of Old City, which is known as America’s most historic square mile and home to many of the city’s iconic landmarks. With an affection for his hometown, filmmaker Shyamalan has filmed the majority of his other projects in the Greater Philadelphia region, including Unbreakable, Split, Glass, The Happening, and The Village.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
A more recent contribution to Philadelphia’s film repertoire, director David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook stars Jennifer Lawrence and Philadelphia-native, Bradley Cooper. Set in the suburbs of Philadelphia, the film features key scenes at the historic Lansdowne Theater and the Llanerch Diner, both in Delaware County. Other filming locations include Jeweler’s Row, which is the oldest diamond district in America; a parking lot at the home of the Philadelphia Eagles American football team, Lincoln Financial Field; and The Franklin Residences, which is within walking distance to the iconic site of Independence Hall.
National Treasure (2004), Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Philadelphia (1993)
Other notable film appearances for Philadelphia’s neighbourhoods include National Treasure, with scenes filmed at Independence Hall and Reading Terminal Market, and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which saw filming take place at several locations such as the eerie Eastern State Penitentiary. The 1993 legal drama film Philadelphia was one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to acknowledge HIV/AIDs and includes many scenes filmed around the city, including at City Hall.
For more remote moments this spring, virtual travellers can follow the #VisitFromHome and #PhillyFromHome hashtags on Twitter. For more information on Philadelphia, visit the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website, www.discoverPHL.com
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Photo Captions (From Left to Right):
Image 1: The Sixth Sense was filmed entirely in Philadelphia. Photo by Andrea David @filmtourismus.
Image 2: Rocky at the top of the steps leading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Andrea David @filmtourismus.
Image 3: Philadelphia-native Bradley Cooper starred in Silver Linings Playbook, which was filmed in the city. Photo by Andrea David @filmtourismus.
For Further Press Information, please contact:
Greg Evans – Philadelphia UK Office
Tel: 07768 341790 / 01633 480 754
Email: greg@gregevansconsultancy.com
Sarah Salord and Jennifer Jones – GEC PR
Tel: 020 3907 6824
Email: philadelphia@gecpr.co.uk
About Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), www.discoverPHL.com, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia globally, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Centre. The PHLCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has divisions dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.