Where was Stalker filmed
Stalker
Year: 1979
<p>The story of the creation of the cult movie was not an easy one and began with a long search for a location. Initially the shooting was planned in Tajikistan, but after the devastating earthquake the locations became inaccessible. For almost three months the group searched for a suitable location in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Crimea and Moscow region. Unexpectedly, they found the right atmosphere in Estonia, when Andrei Tarkovsky came to Tallinn on other business. 25 kilometers from the city, on the Jagala River, they found abandoned power plants destroyed in 1941. Their ruins were ideal for creating a mystical atmosphere of the movie. In addition, the film was shot near the railway bridge over the Pirita River, at a ship repair plant, an abandoned oil depot, a mill and a power plant in the center of Tallinn. The pavilion scenes and final episodes were shot in Moscow.</p>
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Locations
The Road to the Room
In movie
Scene where The travelers continue moving deep into the Zone, approaching the mysterious Room. Soon they notice that the final goal is only a few hundred meters away from them. However, Stalker insists that it is impossible to move to it directly - in the Zone, the direct path is often the most dangerous. He demands that the companions strictly follow his instructions.
Real
Scene was shot in a house in the village of Jägala-Joa, Estonia. The village of Jagala-Joa, about 25 kilometers east of Tallinn, is known for its picturesque natural scenery, dense forests and one of Estonia's largest waterfalls, Jagala. The house chosen for the shoot is an old farmhouse with time-worn walls and a drooping roof. Its location amidst overgrown vegetation and uneven terrain gives the place an atmosphere of seclusion and mystery.
Zone
In movie
Scene where The heroes reach the Zone on a motorized train on old, overgrown rails. Gradually the environment changes - rough industrial ruins are left behind, and the wild, mysterious expanses of the Zone open up ahead. All around - thickets of tall grass, quietly splashing water, ramshackle buildings, absorbed by nature. They go out, look around, and for the first time in the movie they feel something like peace. This moment emphasizes the mysterious and mesmerizing atmosphere of the Zone, where reality seems different, unfathomable.
Real
Scene was shot on the banks of the Pirita River in Tallinn. The river meanders through the city, creating green embankments popular with tourists and locals. Here you can find dense thickets of trees, calm waters reflecting the sky, and cozy paths along the shore. The place combines elements of wild nature and urban environment: bridges, old factories and residential neighborhoods are adjacent to forest parks and quiet backwaters. This contrasting combination gave the scenes of the movie “Stalker” a special atmosphere - mysterious, post-industrial and at the same time filled with natural tranquility.
checkpoint
In movie
Scene where The jeep rolls almost imperceptibly along the rusty railroad tracks as it approaches the checkpoint. All around is an abandoned industrial area, covered in fog and overgrown with tall grass. Military personnel patrol the area, armed and wary, their silhouettes flickering among the concrete fortifications. The driver keeps the car on a steady trajectory, trying not to attract attention. In the tense silence, only the scraping of wheels on metal and the distant sounds of loudspeakers can be heard. The heroes - the Writer, the Professor and Stalker - breathlessly watch every movement of the guards. Suddenly shots ring out, but the jeep, without slowing down, breaks through the checkpoint. Behind them there are screams, the noise of sirens, and ahead - the unknown of the Zone, hidden in the fog.
Real
Scene was shot on the outskirts of Tallinn, at 6 Rumbi Street. This is an industrial part of the city, located in the harbor area. In the past, various warehouses and industrial facilities were located here, and the railroad tracks ran close by. The buildings on this street are characterized by rough brickwork, metal structures and slightly dilapidated facades, creating a gloomy and slightly abandoned atmosphere. The proximity to the Baltic Sea adds dampness and grayish tones to the landscape, and in bad weather, fog often rolls in. This makes it an ideal location for films with noir, post-apocalyptic or industrial aesthetics.