CHALLENGE REVEALED – Movie Settings

Devils Tower, Wyoming

In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt declared this 1,267 feet butte as our nation’s very first National Monument. Since then, Devils Tower draws thousands of tourists, including Carol and I, to remote Wyoming to experience its magnificence. Also, Devils Tower was the focus of the 1977 movie, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” In a nut shell, the characters in the movie kept seeing a vision of this unknown rock formation. They were all compelled to create the image of the formation in some form, such as drawing, sculpting, etc. Eventually, they were drawn out to the actual Devils Tower in Wyoming where they got to talk to aliens (the outer space kind).

The Ohio State Reformatory

Between 1910 and 1990, this was the external shot of the offices associated with the maximum security facility (i.e. The Ohio State Reformatory) located in Mansfield, Ohio. But, just because the place was too decrepit to be a functional prison, does not mean it can not serve a worthy purpose. In 1994, the prison site became the ideal setting for the movie, “Shawshank Redemption.” Most of the external scenes, the yard, and the offices were shot at the former prison. The location also appeared in “Air Force One” with Harrison Ford. Today, its a great tourist attraction that I have visited more than once…and, also even published a blog post about… https://travelingwithpt.com/?s=shaws

Hobbiton, New Zealand

Just in case you needed some help on this one, I posted the opposite view of the original picture. Its a hobbit hole, of course. This and several other hobbit holes still exist in an area called Hobbiton on the North Island in New Zealand. Obviously, the setting was used in several movies in the “Lord of the Rings” movie series. Liz the Chow and Son-in-Law of PT spent some here and Mount Doom as they honeymooned their way across New Zealand

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is tribal park located in the Navajo Nation on the northeastern border of Arizona, near the Utah border. This valley of rocks and buttes has been the desert setting for many a Hollywood movie. But, the most significant filming to occur here had to be from “Forrest Gump.” In the movie, after declaring that he just “felt like running,” Forrest ran 5 times across the country for a whopping total of 15,248 miles. All amazing feats most eventually come to an end. Consequently, Forrest Gump ended his run on highway Rt 163 in the Monument Valley, Arizona. Put “Forrest Gump Point” into Google Maps and you can see the precise location.

Wrap It Up

I hope you have found this CHALLENGE to be challenging, and somewhat entertaining. Thank you to all who read and participated. Have a wonderful day. PT