Where Was The Power of The Dog Filmed?
For those of you who love a good western, you’ll enjoy the Power of the Dog. This movie takes place in 1920’s Montana. It has a very strong cast and the scenery is incredible. But where was Power of the Dog filmed? Probably in one of the most unlikely places. But, as usual, there’s a method to the madness and the film location was chosen because it most closely resembled 1920’s Montana even if it wasn’t filmed in Montana. So let’s get started.
Where Was The Power of The Dog Filmed?
The Power of the Dog was filmed in New Zealand, which stood in for 1920s Montana. Most of it was shot in Central Otago on the South Island, where the Burbank ranch was built in the Maniototo with the Hawkdun Range behind it. Oamaru played the town of Herndon, Dunedin Railway Station appears too, and the interiors were shot on sets in Auckland.
What was The Power of The Dog All About?
The story follows Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), a cruel rancher in 1925 Montana, whose brother George marries the widow Rose. Phil turns his scorn on Rose and her teenage son, Peter.
The Cast
The main cast stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil, Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter, Kirsten Dunst as Rose, and Jesse Plemons as George. Other cast members include Kenneth Radley, Sean Keenan, George Mason, Ramontay McConnell and more.
Who Directed
The Power of the Dog was written and directed by Jane Campion. The movie is based on the book by Thomas Savage. Jane Campion was born in New Zealand so the territory is familiar to her. She has been directing films since 1986. Her films include The Piano, The Portrait of a Lady, In The Cut, and Bright Star, among others.
Did The Power of The Dog Receive Any Awards?
The Power of the Dog won a number of awards including Academy Awards for Best Directing, BAFTA Award for Best Film, Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture, BAFTA Award for Best Direction, Golden Globe Award for Best Director, and more.
Fun Facts
- Benedict Cumberbatch learned how to play the banjo in order to do the film.
- Kirsten Dunst had to work hard to learn how to play the piano.
- Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst were so in character during filming that they didn’t speak to each other.
- In order to appear drunk, Kirsten Dunst would spin around a number of times to make herself dizzy.
- Benedict Cumberbatch really got into this character. At the beginning of shooting, he didn’t wash for almost two weeks and started chain smoking. In fact, he smoked so much he actually induced nicotine poisoning three times!
Can You Visit the Set?
The ranch where the movie was filmed is not accessible to the public. But you can certainly explore other areas used in filming.
Other areas available to explore include the Central Otago Rail Trail, Queenstown Hill, and the Dunedin Railway Station.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the house in The Power of the Dog?
The rural property is in Central Otago and backs onto the Oteake Conservation Park in New Zealand.
Is The Power of the Dog based on a true story?
The movie is partly based on a true story and is inspired by the real-life experiences of its author, Thomas Savage.
Why is it called Power of the Dog?
The title comes from Psalms 22:20: “Deliver my soul from the sword / My darling from the power of the dog.” At the end of the film, Peter reads the verse to himself in his room as Rose and George klss outside.
And That’s a Wrap!
Depending on where you live, the travel time to New Zealand will seriously cut into your actual vacation time. Not to mention dealing with jet lag. In order to make it worth your while, plan to stay at least 10 days to two weeks. You’ll probably never see everything you want to see in that time but that just means you can start planning your next trip to cover the places you missed.
It’s also pretty expensive for accommodation and transportation. Some of the activities can be pretty expensive, too. The best time to visit would be during the low season from June to October. A typical two-week itinerary averages around $4,000 per person.
New Zealand is considered one of the friendliest countries in the world. The locals are pretty laid back and very helpful which makes for a great time to be had by all!
Jay Neill
Jay Neill is the founder and managing editor of iFILMthings and believes everyone should have access to the film resources they need to plan their filmmaking project, which is why he’s dedicated iFILMthings to helping all filmmakers.