Air Force One Movie Locations Source Bing.com
Released in 1997, “Air Force One” is an iconic action movie that features the President of the United States, played by Harrison Ford, fighting terrorists aboard the titular aircraft. The movie was a box office success and has since become a classic in its genre. But did you know that many of the locations featured in the film are real-life places that you can visit? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Air Force One movie locations and explore their history and significance.
The Air Force One Plane
Air Force One Plane Source Bing.com
Of course, the most iconic location in the movie is the Air Force One plane itself. In the film, the plane is depicted as a modified Boeing 747, which is the real-life plane used by the President of the United States for official travel. However, the actual plane used in the movie was a specially built set that was designed to mimic the interior of the real Air Force One. The set was built at the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank, California, and was one of the largest sets ever constructed at the time.
The White House
The White House Source Bing.com
Another iconic location in the movie is the White House, which serves as the setting for several key scenes. In the film, the interiors of the White House were shot at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino, California. The library’s grand hall was used as the entrance hall to the White House, while the library’s drawing room was used as the Oval Office. The library was chosen for its neoclassical architecture, which closely matched the style of the real White House.
The Russian Prison
Russian Prison Source Bing.com
Later in the movie, the President is taken to a Russian prison, where he is held captive by the terrorists. This location was actually shot in Germany, at the Bavaria Film Studios in Munich. The prison set was built specifically for the movie and was designed to look like a typical Russian prison. The set was so convincing that it even fooled some of the German locals, who thought it was a real prison.
The Kazakhstani Village
Kazakhstani Village Source Bing.com
One of the most memorable scenes in the movie takes place in a Kazakhstani village, where the President is rescued by American Special Forces. This location was actually shot in one of the most remote and desolate areas of the Mojave Desert, in California. The village set was built from scratch and was designed to look like a typical Kazakhstani village. The location was chosen for its rugged and barren landscape, which closely matched the real-life location.
The Georgetown University Campus
Georgetown University Campus Source Bing.com
Another important location in the movie is the Georgetown University campus, where the President’s daughter is studying. The campus scenes were actually shot at the University of Maryland in College Park. The filmmakers chose the location because it closely matched the look and feel of Georgetown University, which is located in Washington D.C. The university’s historic architecture and tree-lined walkways were perfect for creating the right atmosphere for the movie.
The National Mall
The National Mall Source Bing.com
The National Mall in Washington D.C. is another iconic location that features prominently in the movie. In the film, the terrorists attempt to crash Air Force One into the White House, but are ultimately foiled by the President and his team. The National Mall scenes were actually shot on location, with the crew filming in front of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Reflecting Pool. The scenes were shot early in the morning to avoid crowds and to capture the beauty of the sunrise over the monuments.
