Recently updated on September 1st, 2022 at 03:09 pm
As America’s capital and political heartland, Washington DC is Hollywood’s gift that keeps on giving. The city and its monuments are an endless source of cinematic inspiration, and the setting for some iconic moments on screen. Starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg’s new film, political thriller The Post, depicts journalists from The Washington Post and The New York Times who published the Pentagon Papers. In anticipation of its release, here, we take a look at five Washington DC film locations you can visit for a behind-the-scenes experience, many of which you can see on our Great East Coast Cities or Historic Highlights trips.
White House – Independence Day
A giant laser beam shoots down and blasts the White House into oblivion. It could only be Independence Day, where an alien race seeks to gain control of the earth but – thankfully – is defeated by Will Smith. This seminal scene isn’t all CGI however; director Roland Emmerich had a 10×5 foot scale model created. The spectacle took a week to plan with over 40 explosions. Thankfully, the White House, built in 1792, is still very much intact and the home of the US president can be viewed in all its glory in Washington DC.
National Archives – National Treasure
The grand, neo-classical National Archives Building features in the Nicholas Cage caper, National Treasure. Historian and cryptologist, Ben Gates embarks on thrills and spills galore in search of rumoured treasure dating back to the creation of the United States. During a gala event, he steals the Declaration of Independence from the National Archives. The stately building is open to the public to admire its majestic columns and explore the Presidential Libraries.
Lincoln Memorial – Forrest Gump
“Forrresssst!!” The moment when Forrest Gump is unwittingly made to give an impromptu anti-Vietnam war speech at the Lincoln Memorial – as his long-lost love, Jenny, wades through the Reflecting pool – is sure to bring a tear to the eye. A powerful scene filled with vast crowds and exuding the spirit of 1969, the Lincoln Memorial (built in honour of the 16th president of the USA) has never been captured better on celluloid. Explore this historic location and its surroundings lining Constitution Avenue; the Washington Monument obelisk, World War Two memorial and National Mall.
Watergate Hotel – All the President’s Men
Not just the scene in a film, but the location of one of the 21st century’s biggest political scandals; the Watergate Hotel is legendary. The 1970s film, All the President’s Men, documents the process of how Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein plotted the political exposé. The Modernist hotel’s sweeping curves are instantly recognisable. After falling into disrepair, the Watergate Hotel has been given a new lease of life by Ron Arad Architects.
St Elmo’s Bar – St Elmo’s Fire
The classic 80s Brat Pack flick, St Elmo’s Fire follows the lives of former Georgetown University students navigating their way through postgraduate life. Centre-stage was St Elmo’s Bar; a watering hole that’s still open today. Located on the fringe of Georgetown Campus, The Tombs (as it’s actually called) looks virtually the same inside as it did in the film. In fact, little has changed since it opened in 1962. Visit to experience a piece of 80s film nostalgia.
If you’d like to visit Washington, click here to discover an exciting Trafalgar trip.
Image Credits: Main image © iStock/dibrova. National Archives © iStock/RiverNorthPhotography. Watergate © iStock/Khabar. White House © iStock/Triggerphoto. Tomb’s © Tomb’s.