We’ve all heard about The Graduate being filmed here in Berkeley. Every CalSO leader and every other person who ever went to Cal trying to recruit you to come here will never fail to remind you of it. But did you know that some of the last couple decades’ biggest blockbusters were filmed right outside of your dorm/apartment door? The Clog did some research and found some surprising facts:
Boys and Girls (2000)
Do you guys remember Freddie Prince Jr.? Yeah, you do. If you don’t, you are too young. No, but seriously, this film has scenes from all over campus. Scenes were shot at Wheeler Hall, the Campanile, Sather Gate, Bowles Hall, Doe Library, Kleeberger Field, Valley Life Science Building, and Mulford Hall.
“Planet of the Apes” (1968)
Did you know shots from the original “Planet of the Apes” were taken right here in Berkeley? And in “Rise of the Planet Apes,” look out for characters sporting UC Berkeley t-shirts.
“Hulk” (2003)
Did you know Ang Lee’s “Hulk” was filmed here in Berkeley? Eric Bana was in Berkeley. A few shots from the film were done at the Lawrence Hall of Science and around North side.
“The Kite Runner” (2007)
This novel-based film displayed a shot of the protagonist, Amir, flying a kite in Cesar Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina!
“THX-1138” (1971)
Yes! Shots of George Lucas’s first film were filmed in Berkeley! Visitberkeley.com says that Lucas filmed these shots at the Lawrence Hall of Science.
“The Graduate” (1967)
Most of you probably know this (it never fails to be mentioned during CalSo), but much of the movie the “The Graduate” was filmed here in Berkeley. There are shots in the film from Sproul, around Telegraph Avenue and at the TDX fraternity house on Durant and College!
“The Master” (2012)
This recent film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson — who also directed “There Will Be Blood” and “Magnolia” — filmed shots of this movie in Berkeley. Sitings of Amy Adams, Joaquin Phoenix, Laura Dern and the recently deceased Philip Seymour-Hoffman were reported at the Claremont Hotel when filming was being done.
Made in America (1993)
This movie, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Dansen, displayed shots of Sarah, played by Whoopi Goldberg, biking through the UC Berkeley campus. Also in the film, Sarah works in a shop in the Elmwood area down College Ave!
High Fidelity (2000)
Parts of this film, which was set in London and Chicago, were actually shot in Berkeley. Scenes from Cesar Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina can be spotted in the film.
Bee Season (2005)
Scenes from this David Siegel and Scott McGehee film, starring Richard Gere, were filmed at a home here in Berkeley, on campus and at the Malcom X Arts & Academics Magnet School.
Patch Adams (1998)
This film about Robin Williams’s character being a medical student who illegally treats patients by making them laugh has shots of UC Berkeley classrooms in Leconte Hall!
Image sources: vancouverfilmschool under Creative Commons, onestarnetflixreviews, theaterforthepoor, shizzforbrains-travelingroadshow, vickypasion, scifi-fantasy-horror, sincitycinema, nobananas-,
