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Since it was released on March 8th, Netflix’s “Damsel” has been a huge success, captivating viewers with its elaborate medieval setting.
The sci-fi adventure stars Millie Bobby Brown as Elodie, a damsel set to marry the prince of the Kingdom of Aurea to save her own. Alas, the happily ever after goes awry when her charming prince (actor Nick Robinson) and his family attempt to sacrifice Elodie to a fire-breathing dragon.
The production of the fantasy world was divided between physical sets and studio stages. Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, known for his work on “Damsel”, added a feminist element to the traditional “damsel in distress” theme, featuring castles, caves, dragons, and other magical elements.
The Troubadour Meridian Water Studios revived the functionality of the cave systems.
A large portion of the movie was filmed at the Troubadour Meridian Water Studios in Enfield. Visual effects were used to create cave scenes between Elodie and the dragon, which were shot on sound stages with fake rocks in the 155,073 square foot film production area.
The interiors of the castle, designed in the post-gothic Manueline architecture style found in the Kingdom of Aurea and the main character’s home kingdom, were also captured on film at London studios. During a post-production interview, Bobby Brown expressed, “The sets felt incredibly authentic. We were filming in these London warehouses and the atmosphere was truly immersive. There was no need for special effects or green screens.”
You can visit real destinations, from an English castle to Portuguese wine country, to experience a slice of the unconventional world of fairytales.
Raby Castle, County Durham
Raby Castle, the exterior of the Brayford stronghold
The location of Lord Brayford’s castle in the unnamed Faraway Land is based on the real-life 14th-century Raby Castle in County Durham.
The outside of the medieval towers, terraces, and fortified walls create the backdrop for Elodie’s father (portrayed by Ray Winstone) and stepmother’s (Angela Bassett) fortified residence.
The majority of the filming took place in Portugal, according to production designer Patrick Tatopoulos. He stated that the outdoor scenes had a brighter and more vibrant atmosphere compared to what viewers are accustomed to. Instead of the usual gloomy castles seen in fantasy stories with dragons, Aurea was designed to be a welcoming and pleasant location on the outside.
The arrangement of blue tiles, known as azulejos, found throughout the southern European nation, provided the perfect backdrop for many of the outdoor scenes in Damsel.
Elodie’s travels primarily took place in Portugal, which served as the main location for her shooting.
The sci-fi movie was listed by IMDb as having filmed in Batalha, a location in western Portugal.
The elaborate Castle of Capillas Imperfectas and the UNESCO-recognized Batalha Monastery were probably chosen for many of the exterior shots in the movie “Damsel.”
According to mythology, Batalha, similar to the homeland of Bobby Brown, has a past filled with conflicts, speculating that the town was built as a symbol of triumph for the Virgin Mary in her fight against King Joao I.
Tomar doubles as the onscreen Kingdom of Aurea
Tomar is a vibrant and charming location filled with winding rivers, grand castles, and peaceful convents. This beautiful scenery is shown on the screen as Elodie ventures into the Kingdom of Aurea.
The castle grounds and wedding frames within the Unesco World Heritage Site are set in the backdrop of the Covent of Christ stronghold. This 12th-century headquarters was used by the Knights Templar.
Serra da Estrela
The mountains of Serra da Estrela provide a snowy backdrop to the challenging environment surrounding Elodie’s noble but financially struggling home. This is where we are introduced to the princess-to-be, Damsel.
The Iberian Peninsula’s National Park boasts the tallest mountain in Portugal, Mount Pico, and it is a popular destination for hikers due to its breathtaking scenery, which resembles something out of a science fiction movie. One such example is the dragon’s lair, filmed in the Nossa Senhora da Boa Estrela sanctuary within the mountain range.
Douro Valley
The Douro Valley has been a listed World Heritage Site since 2001
The hilly vineyards of Pinhao in Douro Valley and the Vila Nova de Foz Côa region’s Côa Valley in northeastern Portugal are featured in the vibrant landscapes of the fantastical realm.
The Douro River’s World Heritage region boasts gorges, historic forests, and thriving wildlife environments.
According to reports, the mountains that surround Sortelha, a historical town in Portugal, were a significant feature in the film Damsel.
Elodie eventually finds her way to the dragon’s lair by traveling through the mountain peaks that symbolize the area surrounding Aurea.
Unesco-listed hotspots in Batalha and Tomar welcomed the cameras in
The movie Damsel is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
The source for this article is the Independent, a news publication.
The Independent, a news publication, is the source of this article.
