I first arrived in the LowCountry in 1992, I was introduced to the area from the watching the Heritage Golf Classic and the movie, Glory. The Prince of Tides had been just filmed here the year before and then came the announcement that Hollywood was returning to the LowCountry. Forrest Gump was being filmed in Savannah and in the Beaufort area, Beaufort was doubling for Alabama.
The opening scene from Forrest Gump was filmed with the feather floating down from the steeple of the Independent Presbyterian Church, on Bull Street in Savannah. Nearby is where Forrest Gump is sitting on a bench in Chippewa Square. The bench never existed, it was made of fiberglass and is now exhibited in the Savannah History Museum. The flow of traffic was altered to move in the opposite direction around the square as the bench scenes were being filmed.
Everybody who visits Savannah wants to sit on that bench. Good thing they moved it, I could see some college kids grabbing it for a dorm room or fraternity house, making a nice conversation piece.
The Vietnam scenes were filmed on what is now the Ocean Creek Golf Course on Fripp Island, near Beaufort, South Carolina.
The Shrimp boat scenes were filmed on the creeks between Lady's Island and Coosaw Island, near Beaufort. Other scenes were filmed just north of Savannah in Prichardville and Varnville, both are located in South Carolina.
Everytime I watch this movie I still awe at the beauty of this area that I call home, the LowCountry. Forrest Gump has too make you smile, it is rumored that there will be a sequel based on the novel, Gump & Co. Hollywood is reviewing a script that was written in 2001. For this project to happen they will need to sign Tom Hanks. Some of my future blogs will include other films that were filmed in the area.
I was in Savannah recently and saw took pictures of the Indepentent Presbyterian Church and Chippewa Square...I just love the movie Forrest Gump and Savannah is so beautiful.
Posted by: Kathye Crayton | February 23, 2008 at 11:34 PM