Five local landmarks that helped bring some of Hollywood’s most memorable stories to life
The Lowcountry has long attracted filmmakers drawn to its historic architecture, tidal waterways and timeless sense of place. From Beaufort’s antebellum mansions to Savannah’s storied streets, the region has served as the backdrop for iconic Hollywood films. These five historic landmarks reveal where film meets history in the Lowcountry, showcasing locations that helped bring movies like The Prince of Tides, Forrest Gump and The Big Chill to life.
Story by Lance Hanlin
Summary:
FAMOUS MOVIES FILMED IN THE LOWCOUNTRYMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil — Mercer-Williams House (Savannah)The Prince of Tides — Lewis Reeve Sams House (Beaufort)The Big Chill — Tidalholm (Beaufort)Forrest Gump — Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge (Beaufort)Forces of Nature — Joseph Johnson House (Beaufort)
Beaufort and Savannah Film Locations in the Lowcountry
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil — Mercer-Williams House (Savannah)
Constructed in the late 1860s for Confederate Gen. Hugh W. Mercer, great-grandfather of songwriter Johnny Mercer, the Mercer-Williams House is one of Savannah’s most storied landmarks. The Italianate mansion gained international attention with the publication of the 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and its 1997 film adaptation directed by Clint Eastwood. Once the home of antiques dealer Jim Williams, the house became central to the story’s intrigue, blending true crime, Southern eccentricity and Savannah society. Today the meticulously preserved home operates as a museum offering daily tours…