Where was Frankenstein filmed

Locations

• Confession Scene - Cathedral Crypt

  In movie

  Scene where The scene involving a dramatic confession, characterized by its atmospheric medieval stone pillars and vaulted ceiling, was not filmed in St Giles' Cathedral as might be expected, but rather within the ancient crypt of Glasgow Cathedral. Located approximately 50 miles from Edinburgh, this setting provides a profoundly somber and historical backdrop, perfectly enhancing the gravity and solemnity of the confession sequence. The crypt's unique architectural features and historical resonance contribute significantly to the scene's intense and memorable visual impact, creating a powerful sense of anachronism and mystery.

  Real

  Confession Scene - Cathedral Crypt on the map

  Scene was shot Glasgow Cathedral

• Edinburgh City Streets - Old Town Passages

  In movie

  Scene where The scene depicting Victor navigating through the bustling city streets features the historic Canongate Tolbooth building prominently in the background. This impressive structure, erected in 1591, anchors the lower section of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, providing an authentic historical ambiance. Victor is also shown passing through an arched passage and into the narrow confines of Bakehouse Close, one of Edinburgh's best-preserved historic closes. This location, lined with stone tenements characteristic of 16th and 17th-century architecture, serves as the setting where Heinrich Harlander awaits him, enhancing the sense of historical immersion.

  Real

  Edinburgh City Streets - Old Town Passages on the map

  Scene was shot Canongate Tolbooth / Bakehouse Close

• Edinburgh City Streets - Parliament Square & Book Market

  In movie

  Scene where The scene where Victor is seen in the city streets was filmed on Parliament Square, with the majestic St Giles' Cathedral clearly visible on the left side, providing a quintessential Edinburgh backdrop. This iconic area of the city lends historical gravitas to Victor's movements. Furthermore, the atmospheric rainy book market, where Victor later follows Elizabeth, was also shot in the square situated on the east side of St Giles’ Cathedral, creating a memorable and visually rich urban setting for these key narrative developments within the Scottish capital.

  Real

  Edinburgh City Streets - Parliament Square & Book Market on the map

  Scene was shot Parliament Square / St Giles' Cathedral

• Frankenstein Family Estate

  In movie

  Scene where The scene where the Frankenstein family's grand country estate is depicted utilizes this majestic 18th-century mansion for both its exterior and key interior sequences. The expansive parkland, woodlands, and seaside backdrop surrounding the house provide the picturesque setting for the estate's exterior shots. Inside, the grand marble staircase within the interior hall was also filmed here, showcasing the manor's opulent architecture. Additionally, the scene featuring the silversmith shop was captured within the estate's coach house and stables, providing an authentic period backdrop for this specific sequence.

  Real

  Frankenstein Family Estate on the map

  Scene was shot Gosford House

• Frankenstein Family Estate - Dining Room & Garden

  In movie

  Scene where The scene depicting the Frankenstein family's dining room was filmed in the magnificent Double Cube Room, known for its spectacular collection of Van Dyck portraits. This 16th- and 17th-century country estate provided an ideal backdrop for the period drama. Furthermore, the funeral scene and the garden sequence, where Victor's younger brother William is introduced, were also shot on the estate. The elegant 18th-century Palladian Bridge, a temple-like stone structure and a highly recognizable landmark of the estate, is notably featured in these garden scenes.

  Real

  Frankenstein Family Estate - Dining Room & Garden on the map

  Scene was shot Wilton House

• Frankenstein Family Estate - Library

  In movie

  Scene where The scene where the Frankenstein family's library is presented was actually filmed in the ballroom of Dunecht House. This vast hall is characterized by its railway-station proportions and a striking vaulted glass ceiling, creating a dramatic and imposing environment for the intellectual setting of a library. The unique architectural features of this ballroom contribute significantly to the film's gothic aesthetic, providing an unexpected yet highly effective backdrop for scholarly pursuits within the narrative, capturing a sense of grandeur and historical depth.

  Real

  Frankenstein Family Estate - Library on the map

  Scene was shot Dunecht House

• Frankenstein Family Estate - Private Quarters & Harlander's Dining Room

  In movie

  Scene where The scene where Victor's bedroom is shown was filmed in the ornate Bow Room, famously painted by Louis Laguerre with scenes from Roman mythology in 1697. This exquisite Elizabethan house, known for its Italianate ceilings, also served as the location for the dimly lit Heaven Room, seen briefly as the butler navigates through the estate. Additionally, the Great Hall, a grand chamber dating from the late 1500s originally designed for banquets, was utilized as Harlander's house dining room, lending a sense of historical grandeur to the antagonist's abode.

  Real

  Frankenstein Family Estate - Private Quarters & Harlander's Dining Room on the map

  Scene was shot Burghley House

• Frankenstein's Tower Base

  In movie

  Scene where The scene depicting the formidable base of Frankenstein’s Tower was filmed on an impressive, almost 180-foot (55 m) high set constructed on the grounds of Markham Fairgrounds. In the movie, this structure is portrayed as an old water filtration plant, essential for irrigating surrounding fields, contributing to the utilitarian yet ominous appearance of the tower. This significant practical build underscores the director's preference for tangible sets over extensive digital effects, ensuring a physically imposing and realistic structure for this crucial part of Frankenstein's experimental domain.

  Real

  Frankenstein's Tower Base on the map

  Scene was shot Markham Fairgrounds

• Harlander's House - Photography Room

  In movie

  Scene where The scene set in the photography room with a piano in Harlander's house was filmed in the mid-19th-century Picture Gallery at Hospitalfield House. This location, historically functioning as a Victorian art school and artists' residency, provides a culturally rich and aesthetically distinct setting for Harlander's domain. The gallery's period architecture and artistic heritage contribute to the sophisticated yet somewhat eerie atmosphere surrounding Harlander, reflecting his character and interests through the carefully chosen environment of his home.

  Real

  Harlander's House - Photography Room on the map

  Scene was shot Hospitalfield House

• Horisont Ship Set

  In movie

  Scene where The scene where the Danish crew of the Horisont ship is trapped in ice in "The Farthermost North" begins the story. A substantial portion of the vessel, including a mechanical gimbal allowing rotation, was meticulously constructed on a site within Toronto's Port Lands, adjacent to Pinewood Studios. From the ship's deck, the vast Arctic horizon appears to stretch endlessly, yet in reality, the iconic CN Tower and Toronto's skyline were visible to the cast and crew, as revealed in behind-the-scenes footage. The detailed interior cabin, complete with its distinctive round window, was also built on a separate studio set to ensure intricate detail.

  Real

  Horisont Ship Set on the map

  Scene was shot Pinewood Toronto Studios