Willow (1988)

This fun fantasy adventure film directed by Ron Howard takes place in a variety of locations from the UK to California and New Zealand. Unfortunately, information about specific locations from the film are very hard to come by and it seems like nobody's taken the time to search them out. Here's what I've been able to piece together.

Early establishing shots of Bavmorda's "Nockmaar Castle" were done at Tongariro National Park in New Zealand (also home to Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings), with the castle added as a matte painting.

The Nelwyn village and Willow's farm were sets constructed on the grounds of the Brocket Hall estate in Hertfordshire, England.

The scene of the Nelwyns setting off on their journey were supposedly filmed in Epping Forest in Essex, England.

One quick shot during the traveling montage shows the group passing Burney Falls just south of Lake Britton in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in California.

Further exterior shots of Nockmar Castle were done at a giant set constructed at Dinorwic Slate Quarry in Wales. The parapets and tower were added via a matte painting. Castle interiors were done in a massive set at Elstree Studios in England, also home to the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.

Approx. GPS Coordinates (Castle Exterior):

53.116063, -4.099719

As the Nelywns continue their journey and are pursued by Bavmorda's troops I'm guessing these shots were done at Epping Forest as well.

The "crossroads" where the rest of the gang leaves Willow (Warwick Davis) and Meegosh (David Steinberg) behind, and where they meet Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) was filmed southeast of Queenstown, NZ in an area known today as Jack's Point. However, this area has been significantly developed since filming and finding the exact location is difficult. It appears that the exact spot is near the trailhead to the Jack's Point Track and unfortunately may very well be now under the Jack's Point Golf Course to the north.

GPS Coordinates (approx):

-45.078919, 168.738201

This shows the view looking south looking across Lake Wakatipu toward Bayonet Peaks to the left and Cecil Peak to the right. (Image borrowed from Google Maps)

The reverse view looking north toward Kawarau Falls, seen when Madmartigan departs (left) and as Airk (Gavan O'Herlihy) and his army approach and depart (right). (Image borrowed from Google Maps)

The scene where Willow and Meegosh are brought before Cherlindrea (Maria Holvoe) by the Brownies appears to have been filmed in a redwood grove (perhaps near Skywalker Ranch?) and the fairies and Cherlindrea were shot against black backdrops at the ILM stage in San Rafael, CA and composited digitally.

The tavern where Willow is reunited with Madmartigan was a set built on the backlot of Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England.

The exciting cart chase sequence was filmed at Black Park Country Park near Slough, England (directly behind Pinewood Studios).

More interiors of Bavmorda's castle at Elstree.

Here's a location that's been incorrectly identified everywhere else: this is Bowen Falls in Milford Sound on the South Island of New Zealand - NOT Powerscourt Waterfall in Ireland (which does look similar). Sometimes you have to think logistically like a film crew - why would they go to yet another country to film only one scene?

The viewpoint overlooking Fin Raziel's island appears to be on the south side of Deer Park Heights southeast of Queenstown, NZ. This hill was a popular filming location for The Two Towers as well.

GPS Coordinates (approx):

-45.051025, 168.715354

The abandoned beachside village where Madmartigan once again leaves Willow was Freshwater Basin of Milford Sound in New Zealand, now a fairly developed tourist spot.

GPS Coordinates:

-44.670845, 167.923932

Jumping back further north, Willow sets out to Fin Raziel's island hideout which is Hidden Island across Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown.

At this point in the film, there was to be a storm sequence where Willow is attacked by a fish creature and must use one of his magic acorns to turn it to stone. This was filmed on the million-gallon outdoor tank at Pinewood Studios over a 2-week period but eventually cut from the final film.

GPS Coordinates:

51.546186, -0.536860

After being betrayed by Madmartigan, Willow, Fin Raziel and Elora Danan (Ruth & Kate Greenfield) are captured by Sorsha (Joanne Whalley) and her troops. This was also filmed on Deer Park Heights overlooking Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown. The snowy Remarkables seen in the distance can also be seen in The Two Towers.

Mountaintop village and sledding scenes were filmed on a massive set built on the slopes of Cardrona Alpine Resort northeast of Queenstown, NZ.

Snowdonia National Park in Wales provided the foreground scenery of the matte painting of Tir Asleen castle, and a massive set was constructed on the backlot of Elstree Studios for the castle interior.

As General Kael (Pat Roach) abducts Elora, Willow and our heroes converge on Nockmaar Castle for the final showdown. This is back at the massive set built in a large open clearing of the Dinorwic Slate Quarry in Wales. Unfortunately, the exact spot is closed off to visitors.

This aerial behind-the-scenes shot shows the large open battlefield set under construction (with pits dug for the horsemen to emerge out of). The castle walls are just to the far right of the frame. While you can't visit this exact spot, there is a museum on site about the history of the quarry (which dates back to the 18th Century) and other attractions such as a scenic steam train ride around the lake.

Back at the Tir Asleen castle set at Elstree, extended with a matte painting.

Willow arrives home to the Nelwyn village at Brocket Hall, which was expanded in the wide shot with a matte painting of imagery from the Li River in Yangshou, China.