The movie was filmed in the United States in several locations, each chosen to create the most realistic and authentic atmosphere possible. The main filming covered such cities as New York, Atlanta, Charlotte and Los Angeles. New York City, where the actual events took place, was the central location for filming. Scenes on the Hudson River and at LaGuardia Airport were filmed there to maintain authenticity and to convey to the audience the atmosphere of the city where the “miracle” took place. New York City also provided a variety of locations for filming, such as Pier 41 and the East River, which allowed for dynamic and realistic scenes. Atlanta, Georgia was chosen for filming interiors such as the control room and hearing room, which were filmed at Gwinnett Technical College. This location provided suitable interiors and amenities for the film crew. In addition, the scenes of Sully going to the pub and his home were filmed in Atlanta, which allowed for more intimate and personal moments in the movie.
Charlotte, North Carolina was used to film the simulator scenes, which allowed the pilot training to be shown in conditions as close to real life as possible. This added technical authenticity and depth to the movie. Los Angeles and Universal and Warner Brothers studios in California provided the necessary conditions for filming difficult scenes such as the airplane's water landing and cockpit scenes. These studios ensured the safety and quality of the filming, which was especially important to create realistic and tense moments in the movie.
Each of these locations was not chosen at random, but was chosen to capture as accurately as possible the atmosphere and events surrounding the emergency landing of Flight 1549 on the Hudson River. This made it possible to create a movie that not only tells a story, but also immerses the viewer in the reality of what happened.
Embankment
In movie
Scene where Sully is jogging along the boardwalk and is almost hit by a cab. At the very beginning of the movie, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) wakes up in his apartment and goes for a run along the Manhattan waterfront. He runs along the East River, passing Water Side Plaza, and is immersed in thoughts of the events he has experienced. Memories of the dramatic crash landing on the Hudson River and the investigations that followed flash into his mind. At this point, he runs across the road and is almost hit by a car, which emphasizes his inner tension and distraction. This scene emphasizes Sully's inner turmoil and his struggle with PTSD.
Timing: 00:01:55
Real
Scene was shot on the Manhattan waterfront near East 28th Street and the East River, in the Water Side Plaza neighborhood. This location was chosen to capture the atmosphere of New York City and to show how Sully tries to cope with the consequences of the accident in a familiar urban environment. The waterfront and the view of the river create a contrast between the calmness of the surrounding nature and the inner tension of the character.
New York
The David Letterman Late Show
In movie
Scene where Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) and his crew appear on the David Letterman Tonight Show. Letterman questions the crew about how the flight went and what happened during the emergency landing. Sully and his coworkers, including co-pilot Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart), talk about their experiences and actions that day. They smile and laugh as they discuss how everything turned out and how they managed to save the plane and all the passengers on board. However, despite the outward joy and jokes, you can see that Tom Hanks' character is still worried and in shock at what happened. This scene emphasizes how the crew handled the situation and were able to find the strength to joke and be happy that everything ended safely, but it also shows that Sully is still going through internal tension and stress.
Timing: 00:23:20
Real
Scene was shot at the Ed Sullivan Theater, located in Manhattan. It is a historic venue known for its television footage: the theater was built between 1926 and 1927, but in 1950 the theater was converted into a CBS television studio and became known as Studio 50. In 1967, it was renamed the Ed Sullivan Theatre in honor of famed host Ed Sullivan, whose show “The Ed Sullivan Show” was broadcast from this studio from 1953 to 1971. Today, the Ed Sullivan Theatre continues to be used for filming popular television shows. During the period in which the movie “Miracle on the Hudson” takes place, David Letterman was the host of the late night show. His show, “Late Show with David Letterman,” was broadcast from this theater from 1993 to 2015. “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is currently filming at the same location. This location is perfect for filming a scene in the movie “Miracle on the Hudson” as it adds to the realism and authenticity. Using a real location where the evening show was actually filmed allows viewers to feel a part of the events and better understand the atmosphere of the time.
New York
LaGuardia Airport
In movie
Scene where shows the moments before flight 1549 takes off from LaGuardia Airport. Passengers board, the crew prepares for the flight, and Sully and Skiles discuss the route and weather conditions. Late passengers are shown rushing to catch the flight, and the last of them are shown scurrying aboard just before takeoff. The plane prepares for takeoff, and the audience sees shots of LaGuardia Airport in the background.The scene conveys the routine before takeoff, creating a contrast to the dramatic events that follow.
Timing: 00:27:23
Real
Scene was shot at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. The location was chosen because of its importance in the real history: it is the airport where flight 1549 departed from, which adds authenticity and realism. Shooting in a real airport allows the audience to feel part of the events and better understand the atmosphere of that time. In addition, LaGuardia is a recognizable place, which enhances the emotional impact of the scene.
New York
