Various locations around Bath feature in a new film starring
Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes, to be released on 5
September.
Scenes from The Duchess were shot in the city late last year.
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Film Office and Heritage
Services worked with the film’s producers to identify a number of
locations.
The Assembly Rooms were used as the venue for a major ball scene
from the film. More than 200 extras played guests over two days of
filming at the venue’s Tea Room and Octagon Room. Filming also took
place at the Royal Crescent and the Holburne Museum. The Crescent
will feature the Duchess’ carriage travelling along it, marking her
arrival in Bath at the Holburne Museum.
The Duchess is about Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire
(Knightley), an ancestor of Princess Diana, who was beautiful,
glamorous and adored by the public. But while beauty and charisma
made her a household name, one thing always escaped her: love.
Councillor David Hawkins , Cabinet Member for Economic
Development, said: "Bath & North East Somerset Council’s
film-friendly policy through its active and hardworking film office
has not only put the city and the surrounding area up on the silver
screen but generated a significant amount of revenue.
"Council departments work well to meet the demands of film
companies while balancing the interests of residents and
businesses. In return production crews bring money into the local
economy and tourists are encouraged to visit the settings of their
favourite films."
BAFTA and South West Screen will be presenting an
invitation-only preview screening of The Duchess on the 27 August
at the Little Theatre Cinema, Bath.
