Manchester is an incredibly important city. It is the jewel of the North West of England, and has a well earned reputation as one of the UK's centres of economy and culture. It was the first industrialised city, and still is a hub of activity, both in terms of business, as well as media and art. It was also been central to the UK's film industry, with many great films either shot there.
Manchester's place in cinema began right at the beginning of film itself. Even as early as 1928 films were being shot there, the first being Two Little Drummer Boys, which is the second Frank Randle film, and was directed by John E Blakeley. And throughout the remaining history of cinema, great filmmakers have chosen Manchester as the place to film their work, right up until just last year.
The 60s were particularly good for cinema in Manchester. The much loved 1961 film by Tony Richardson, A Taste of Honey, was shot across most of Manchester, including Salford and Levenshulme. Then there was the dark Hell is a City in which Stanley Baxter played a jaded detective who pays a great cost to his personal life in trying to clean up the streets of Manchester. This is also, still a much loved film, and is recognisably filmed in Manchester.
Nowadays films are rarely shot entirely on site, but some of the great block busters of the last few years have at least had some scenes shot in Manchester. One example is Captain America, in which the super soldier chases a villain through the streets of Manchester. Also, Alfie, sees Jude Law roaming the 'Northern Quarter', which is used to imitate a New York setting.
A film that really brings Manchester into the foreground, however, is 24 Hour Party People, by Michael Winterbottom. In this film, Steve Coogan plays the infamous Anthony H Wilson in a comedic interpretation of the integral part he played in creating, not only Factory Records, but the entire "Madchester" scene of the 80s and 90s.
Manchester's place in cinema began right at the beginning of film itself. Even as early as 1928 films were being shot there, the first being Two Little Drummer Boys, which is the second Frank Randle film, and was directed by John E Blakeley. And throughout the remaining history of cinema, great filmmakers have chosen Manchester as the place to film their work, right up until just last year.
The 60s were particularly good for cinema in Manchester. The much loved 1961 film by Tony Richardson, A Taste of Honey, was shot across most of Manchester, including Salford and Levenshulme. Then there was the dark Hell is a City in which Stanley Baxter played a jaded detective who pays a great cost to his personal life in trying to clean up the streets of Manchester. This is also, still a much loved film, and is recognisably filmed in Manchester.
Nowadays films are rarely shot entirely on site, but some of the great block busters of the last few years have at least had some scenes shot in Manchester. One example is Captain America, in which the super soldier chases a villain through the streets of Manchester. Also, Alfie, sees Jude Law roaming the 'Northern Quarter', which is used to imitate a New York setting.
A film that really brings Manchester into the foreground, however, is 24 Hour Party People, by Michael Winterbottom. In this film, Steve Coogan plays the infamous Anthony H Wilson in a comedic interpretation of the integral part he played in creating, not only Factory Records, but the entire "Madchester" scene of the 80s and 90s.
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