2024 Marks 100 Years of Utah Film and Television
From Thelma & Louise to Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid, Utah’s iconic landscapes have been featuring in popular TV
shows and movies for 100 years.
Once known as “Little Hollywood,” Utah’s unforgettable
terrain has made the state a popular backdrop for filmmakers since the
production of two 1924 silent films, The Deadwood Coach and The
Covered Wagon. Over the years, Utah has slipped into countless roles,
sometimes as different states or even different planets.
The Utah film commission will celebrate the 100-year
milestone and all the people, locations and productions that have made Utah.
America’s film set® with a year of exhibits, events and film screenings
across the state. To learn more on how to join in the celebrations see: https://film.utah.gov/100years/
Here's where to go to put yourself right on the set of just
some of your favourite Utah movies:
1. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)
Utah locations: Zion National Park, St. George, Grafton and Snow Canyon
Paul
Newman and Robert Redford played the iconic roles, but the real Butch Cassidy
was born and bred in Utah and the film stays true to his roots, shooting plenty
of action in locations from the pretty town of St. George and nearby Snow
Canyon State Park to the sprawling majesty of Zion National Park.
2. THELMA AND LOUISE (1991)
Utah locations: Canyonlands National Park, Cisco, Dead Horse Point State
Park, La Sal Mountains, Thompson Springs, Mexican Hat, West Valley City and
Moab
The
story of two unlikely outlaws (Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon) and their
climactic road trip was filmed predominantly in Utah, including the
unforgettable climax at Dead Horse Point State
Park
where they take their final, fatal plunge.
3. FORREST GUMP (1994)
Utah locations: Monument Valley and Mexican Hat
“Run
Forrest, run!” And run he did, all the way to Highway 163 in Utah’s Monument Valley. The dramatic red rock
backdrop is impossible to miss and make sure you stop to take a selfie at
‘Forrest Gump Point’ near mile marker 13.
4. DUMB AND DUMBER (1994)
Utah locations: Lakepoint, Provo, Orem, Park City, Sandy and Salt Lake
City
Plenty
of choice here! Playing the ridiculous Lloyd Christmas, Jim Carrey drives a
limo to Salt Lake City Airport, dreams of returning a beautiful woman’s
briefcase at upscale (and real) French restaurant La Caille, narrowly
escapes death at the Provo Marriott and accidentally shoots
an owl in Park City – the ski resort town where the Sundance Film Festival is
hosted annually.
5. FOOTLOOSE (1984)
Utah Location: Payson, Utah
Northern
Utah stars alongside Kevin Bacon in this iconic film that will make you want to
put your dancing shoes on! Filmed entirely in Utah, the alpine scenery of the
north of the state is a great backdrop to this story about a teenager
determined to bring dancing back to a small American town.
For more information on
Utah and to plot a cinematic drive through the state see: www.visitutah.com