Where Was “Patton” Filmed?

“Where was ‘Patton’ filmed?” might be the question you ask after watching the classic film. “Patton” is a 1970 biographical film starring George C. Scott, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, and co-written by Francis Ford Coppola. This important film focuses on the life of United States General George S. Patton in the WWII era. The movie was incredibly groundbreaking, winning seven major Academy Awards, including the Best Actor for Scott himself. The US National Film Registry in the Library of Congress has designated Patton a “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” film, and when you watch it, you can tell why! 

Location is especially important in Patton

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The locations are a crucial part of this movie, even more than many other films since it’s set in the past. Think about it: the right location can make or break that immersive feel that allows the audience to suspend disbelief. The right setting can help you feel as though you’re in another era. 

If you’ve recently watched the movie and are asking the question, “Where was ‘Patton’ filmed?” then we’ve got your answers! Keep reading and we’ll name many of the most important locations throughout the film, many of which you may even be able to visit for yourself if you happen to be a world traveler.

Patton filming locations: six countries, 71 locations

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In response to the question “Where was ‘Patton’ filmed?” we’ll start with an overall summary of places. It’s hard to name every location because, according to Otaku Kart, they filmed Patton in several places. 

As described by the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), Patton was filmed in a total of 71 locations across six countries. And when you watch the movie and understand the plot and cinematic context, this makes sense. They’re portraying Patton’s travels during World War II and naturally, they’re going to need a huge number of different locations to capture this with any degree of accuracy. 

Many of the scenes in Patton were filmed in the United States and the United Kingdom. Numerous scenes were also filmed in Spain, Morocco, Greece, and Sicily. Within Spain, the movie “was filmed in Cabo de Gata, La Granja, Royal Palace of Madrid, La Alcazaba and La Granja de San Ildefonso.” 

And in the United Kingdom, the most important filming location might be Over Peover, where the real General Patton stayed at the Tudor manor house of Peover Hall

Finally, Filmy Voice reports that, in Morocco, filming locations for Patton included Volubilis, Casablanca, and Rabat. Morocco was selected for its Roman ruins and “a review of Moroccan troops was filmed,” writes ASC.

Why were there so many filming locations in Spain?

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The majority of the film was shot in Spain, and you may be wondering: why Spain in particular, when World War II was of course fought at locations spanning the entirety of the globe?

There are in fact a couple of reasons for this, according to ASC. “The bulk of the photography was done in Spain because only the Spanish Army could provide the necessary World War II equipment (acquired by the Spanish Government under the U.S. Military Assistance Program). Spain also provided a wide variety of landscapes and architecture necessary to simulate the locations of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany.” 

The location of the opening scene

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We won’t give away too much plotline in case you haven’t seen it. But perhaps the very first, truly iconic scene of this movie is when George C. Scott delivers an important and compelling monologue. Maybe it would inspire you to ask the question, “Where was ‘Patton’ filmed?” If so, we’ve got your answer!

Unlike most other scenes in this movie, it was filmed within the United States, specifically at the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall. It’s the real-life home to veterans’ organizations for over a century and is located in downtown Los Angeles, California. (If you’re really interested, you can read more about the history and administration of the historic building here.)

Use of natural locations and historic spaces in Patton

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Let’s hear it from cinematographer Fred. J Koenecamp himself, who reported the following regarding the film’s heavy use of natural locations and historic spaces and its challenges. “Roughly 80 percent of Patton was filmed in natural locations. We worked in several buildings, such as La Granha and Rio Frio, that are national shrines. We could do nothing that might mar or deface the premises. Consequently we could not use tape, tack lamps to the walls, put up spreaders or do any of the usual things that help in the lighting. Everything had to be from the floor”.

This presented some major technical challenges, but the beauty of the film perfectly demonstrates the extent to which they succeeded in overcoming these! 

Reflecting on the importance of Patton

We’ve done our best to answer your question, “Where was ‘Patton’ filmed?” With this info in mind, perhaps you’ll choose to visit any of these locations, or even to make your own film inspired by the grandeur and creative power of Patton. Not only did this movie win seven major Academy Awards, but it also remains present in the minds of viewers and the general public more than half a century (!!) later. It helps cement the legacy of General Patton himself and remains a cultural touchstone and highly influential film. This is evidenced by the fact that you are looking up the movie’s filming locations more than 50 years after it was released! Talk about long-term cultural relevance.

Find filming locations on Peerspace

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Interested in finding filming locations of your own, maybe even for your own movie (the next Patton, perhaps)? Peerspace, the most extensive digital marketplace for hourly venue rentals, has got you covered. Virtually any type of location that you can imagine is available among the thousands of rentals that you can rent via Peerspace in hundreds of cities in North America and the UK. It’s a truly useful resource for creative types, no matter what medium you use. 

Find unique filming locations on Peerspace

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