Beaufort has maintained a reputation as the perfect filming location for some of America’s top movies. Due to its well preserved historic district with antebellum mansions, Bay Street, Waterfront Park and the Beaufort River, Beaufort is a top travel destination of its own.
Beaufort is the second-oldest city in South Carolina and offers a uniqueness and southern charm without the crowds typically found in Charleston. Situated on the island of Port Royal, Beaufort is only an hour away from Charleston and an easy day trip to enjoy some of the movie locations used in recent major motion pictures. Here is a look at some of those filming locations in and around Beaufort.
The Great Santini (1979)
Based on the novel by Pat Conroy this film starred Robert Duvall, Michael O’Keefe and Blythe Danner. Tidalholm Mansion at 1 Laurens Street was used in this film as well as the Marine Corps Air Station at U.S. Highway 21 and S.C. Route 116, where many of the military scenes were filmed.
The Big Chill (1983)
This Oscar-nominated film starred many actors who are popular names today, including Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly and JoBeth Williams. Much of the film was shot at the Tidalholm Mansion and a jogging scene was filmed on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort.
The Prince of Tides (1991)
Nominated for seven Oscars, this film was based on a novel by Pat Conroy and starred Barbra Streisand, Nick Nolte and Blythe Danner. A scene was shot on the Beaufort River and nearby Fripp Island was used for the beach scenes. The Beaufort County Records Management Department Warehouse on Depot Road was the location used for the Lowenstein apartment. The gymnasium of the Technical College of the Lowcountry at 21 Ribaut Road was yet another location used for a major scene in the film. Other apartment scenes were shot at the Beaufort Arsenal at 713 Craven Street in Beaufort.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Starring Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise, Sally Field and Robin Wright, Forrest Gump won six Academy Awards including Best Picture. The running scenes were shot on two South Carolina bridges, the Woods Memorial Bridge in downtown Beaufort and the Chowan Creek Bridge between Lady’s Island and St Helena Island. Bubba’s mother’s house was filmed in a private home on Alston Road, Lucy Point Creek. The University of South Carolina Beaufort South Campus Performing Arts Center at 801 Carteret Street was used to portray the Gump Medical Center.
Something to Talk About (1995)
Starring Julia Roberts, Robert Duvall, Kyra Sedgwick, Gena Rowlands and Dennis Quaid, this film shot in Ollie’s Restaurant at 822 Bay Street in downtown Beaufort. Another business used in the film was Michael Rainey Antiques at 702 Craven Street. The same building which appeared in Forrest Gump was used again, the University of South Carolina Beaufort South Campus Performing Arts Center.
Last Dance (1995)
Several of the scenes in this film were shot at “The Castle” at 411 Craven Street in the historic district overlooking the intracoastal waterway. This 1859 mansion is one of Beaufort’s landmarks downtown. The movie starred Sharon Stone, Randy Quaid, Rob Morrow, Peter Gallagher, Jack Thompson and Jayne Brook. Hunting Island State Park on U.S. Highway 21 South was also used in the film.
Forces of Nature (1999)
This award-winning movie starred Sandra Bullock, Ben Affleck and Maura Tierney. Most of the film was shot at “The Castle” at 411 Craven Street in the historic district of Beaufort.
Rules of Engagement (2000)
Starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L Jackson, this movie was shot at Hunting Island State Park, which was made to appear as a province of Vietnam.