Beamish fans may spot a few familiar locations when watching First World War film, The War Below.
The film tells the story of a group of British miners who were recruited to tunnel underneath no man’s land and break the deadly stalemate at the Battle of Messines in 1917.
Actor Anna Maguire filming a scene in No. 2 Francis Street. Photograph by Laura Radford Photography.
Cast and crew spent five days at the museum filming various scenes for the movie, and Beamish staff and volunteers were invited to be extras.
Filming took place in the Masonic Hall and on The 1900s Town street as well as on the tracks at Rowley Station and in the Mine Manager’s Office and No. 2 Francis Street in The 1900s Pit Village.
The film’s Director John Watts said: “I remember visiting Beamish as a child and how magical the place was. Cliché as it might sound it really was just like stepping back in time, you can read history books but until you walk it yourself it will never seem as real as it does at Beamish Museum. So when we first started developing The War Below, we knew we had to film at Beamish if at all possible.
Actors Sam Hazeldine and Anna Maguire prepare for a scene in No. 2 Francis Street. Photograph by Laura Radford Photography.
“The authenticity and feel of The 1900s Town street and the pit cottages would just be impossible to recreate ourselves and they add so much to the film. I am so thankful to everyone at Beamish for their kindness and help in making The War Below what it is.”
In The War Below, Colonel “Hellfire Jack” Northon-Griffiths (played by Tom Goodman-Hill) recruits a group of five miners to dig a tunnel from the Allied trenches to the German trenches during the Battle of Messines, in hopes of setting off bombs below the German line and breaking the deadly stalemate.
Francesca Boyle, Beamish Communications Officer, said: “Having spent a great deal of time with the cast and crew of The War Below while they were filming at the museum in summer 2019, it is fantastic to be able to see the part Beamish, our staff and volunteers played in the film. I thought the film itself was excellent and feel proud that Beamish was able to be a part of it.”
Filming took place in the Masonic Hall in The 1900s Town. Photograph by Laura Radford Photography.
The War Below is based on the true events of the Battle of Messines in June 1917. High explosive mines placed underneath German lines were used to devastating effect. The explosion was so immense that it was reportedly heard by the British Prime Minister in London, 140 miles away. More than 10,000 German troops were killed when the mines exploded and the Messines Ridge came under the control of the Allied forces.
The War Below was released in cinemas and for digital viewing in September 2021 and released on DVD in October 2021. The film is also available to watch on Netflix. Visit www.thewarbelow.com to find out more and watch the film.