WV-INSPIRED STORYLINES
Many studio and independent feature films and television productions have featured West Virginia-inspired storylines, fictional and non-fictional, of which a brief list is highlighted below. For a more extensive list, visit www.wvfilm.com. Please note, where some films identify local contacts, you may be able to obtain assistance to tour some of the identified locations.
A Beautiful Mind
2001 Universal Pictures
Director: Ron Howard
Cast: Russell Crowe and Ed Harris
Synopsis: A fact-based account of Bluefield native John Nash, Jr., recipient of 1994 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.
Local Contact: Beverly Wellman, Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 304-325-8438 or 800-221-3206
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July
1988 Disney Channel
Director: George Miller
Cast: Louis Gossett Jr., Chynna Phillips, and West Virginia natives Chris Sarandon and Conchata Ferrell
Synopsis: A fictional drama set in Montgomery where a family takes a stand against racism.
Matewan
1987 Artisan Entertainment
Writer and Director: John Sayles
Cast: Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham, David Strathairn
WV Filming Locations: Thurmond (railroad depot, church, private residences, and more); Grandview State Park (overlooks, fields); Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine; various other locations in the New River Gorge area in and around Thurmond
Synopsis: Filmed entirely on location in West Virginia, "Matewan" received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography. The film is a fictionalized retelling of true events that led up to a vicious 1920 battle between striking miners and union-busting private detectives.
Local Contacts: (1) Calentha Quesenberry, Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau, 304-574-1500 or 888-574-1500; (2) Cecil Hatfield, Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce, 304-235-5240; (3) Cleeta Mullins, Coalfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, 304-855-5521 or 888-272-6762
The Mothman Prophecies
2002 Sony Pictures
Director: Mark Pellington
Cast: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Debra Messing, and Will Patton
Synopsis: The film focuses on the legendary accounts of strange events with ties to a moth-like creature in the real town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. While no filming took place in the state, subsequent tourism to Point Pleasant has had a tremendous and positive economic impact on the town.
Local Contact: Denny Bellamy, Mason County Tourism Center, 304-675-6788
The Night of the Hunter
1955 MGM
Director: Charles Laughton
Cast: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason, and Peter Graves
Synopsis: Set in Moundsville and filmed in West Virginia. A fictional drama based on Moundsville native Davis Grubb’s novel about a false preacher who ingratiates himself with a dead man’s family to find where he hid the money from a robbery.
October Sky
1999 Universal Pictures
Director: Joe Johnston
Cast: Chris Cooper, Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern, and Chris Owen
Synopsis: The film is based on Coalwood, WV native Homer Hickam’s non-fiction book "Rocket Boys," which tells the story of a coal miner’s son inspired by the first launch of Sputnik to take up rocketry in spite of his father’s disapproval. The film’s title is an anagram of the book title.
Local Contact: Cleeta Mullins, Coalfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, 304-855-5521 or 888-272-6762
Patch Adams
1998 Universal Pictures
Director: Tom Shadyac
Cast: Robin Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Synopsis: Set in Hillsboro, the film is a fact-based account of the life of Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams, a holistic doctor who founded Gesundheit! Institute in Hillsboro.
Local Contact: Gail Hyer, Pocahontas County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 304-799-4636 or 800-336-7009
Shiloh
1996, 1999, 2006 Warner Bros.
Director: Sandy Tung
Synopsis: Trilogy set in Friendly, Ben’s Run and Shiloh, a family drama based on the popular book series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor about an abused dog that finds a new home with a caring boy.
Two Tickets to Paradise
2006 Scrudge LLC
Director: D.B. Sweeney
Cast: D.B. Sweeney, John C. McGinley
Synopsis: Comedy starring. Life-long buddies embark on cross-country road trip to a Marshall University football game and discover the importance of friendship.
We Are Marshall
2006 Warner Bros.
Director: McG
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, David Strathairn, Anthony Mackie, Ian McShane, Kate Mara, January Jones, Brian Geraghty, Arlen Escarpeta
WV Filming Locations: Huntington (numerous Marshall University campus locations, Spring Hill Cemetery, Frederick Hotel, Keith-Albee Theater, Peanut Shoppe, Fourth Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets, Steel of West Virginia, Greyhound Bus Station, private residence); Kenova (private residence). The film’s official premiere took place at the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.
Synopsis: Nominated for an ESPY award for Best Sports Movie, the film is a dramatization of a true story about the worst air tragedy in collegiate athletics history. On the fateful night of November 14, 1970, 75 members of the Marshall University football team, coaches, university staff, community members, and flight crew were killed in a plane crash while returning to Huntington after a game at East Carolina. Struggling to cope with the devastating loss of their loved ones, the grieving families found hope and strength in the leadership of Jack Lengyel, a young coach determined to rebuild the football program and, in the process, helped to heal a community.
Local Contact: Tours of film sites available through Cabell-Huntington Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-635-6329
Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!
2004 DreamWorks Pictures
Director: Robert Luketic
Cast: Kate Bosworth, Topher Grace, Josh Duhamel, Nathan Lane, Sean Hayes
WV Filming Locations: Fayetteville (town aerials, Fayette County Bank, Fayette County Courthouse, Court Street); New River Gorge Bridge aerials; Oak Hill (aerials of Gatewood Road, Old Reiners Dairy Farm); Grandview State Park (overlook); aerial of London Locks on Kanawha River.
Synopsis: A fictional story set in the real town of Frazier’s Bottom, West Virginia, this romantic comedy focuses on a small-town girl who wins a date with a celebrity through a contest.
Local Contacts: (1) Calentha Quesenberry, Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau, 304-574-1500 or 888-574-1500; (2) Linda Bush, Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 304-562-0518