Where was the movie “The Right Stuff” filmed? This question often arises among fans of the iconic 1983 film, which tells the story of the original Mercury Seven astronauts and their journey to becoming America’s first astronauts. One of the most memorable scenes in the film, the climactic space race, was actually filmed in a location that may surprise many: the barren landscape of Southern California.
The Right Stuff, directed by Philip Kaufman, is based on the book of the same name by Tom Wolfe. The film showcases the intense training and psychological challenges faced by the astronauts as they prepare for their historic missions. The setting for much of the movie is Edwards Air Force Base, located in the Mojave Desert of Southern California.
The desert landscape provided the perfect backdrop for the film’s dramatic scenes. The vast, open spaces allowed for the depiction of the astronauts’ long, grueling training sessions, as well as the tense moments leading up to their historic spaceflights. Some of the key filming locations at Edwards Air Force Base include:
1. The dry lakebeds: The vast expanse of dry lakebeds near Edwards Air Force Base served as the perfect location for scenes depicting the astronauts’ high-speed test flights. The barren, flat terrain allowed for easy filming of the rocket-powered aircraft and the sounds of their roaring engines.
2. The Dryden Aircraft Operations Center: This facility, also located at Edwards Air Force Base, was used for the film’s interior shots. The actual aircraft used in the movie were stored here, and the hangars provided a setting for many of the film’s interior scenes.
3. The control tower: The control tower at Edwards Air Force Base was used for the film’s exterior shots, depicting the astronauts’ communication with mission control during their spaceflights.
While much of the film was shot at Edwards Air Force Base, some scenes were also filmed at other locations in Southern California. These include:
1. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): The film’s opening sequence, which depicts the astronauts’ initial selection process, was filmed at UCLA.
2. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL): Located in Pasadena, California, JPL was used for some of the film’s interior and exterior shots, particularly those depicting the astronauts’ training and mission control activities.
The Right Stuff’s use of Southern California locations added authenticity to the film’s portrayal of the historic space race. The diverse landscapes and facilities provided the perfect setting for the film’s dramatic scenes, making it an unforgettable cinematic experience.
