Costumes worn by film stars Dame Judi Dench, Will Ferrell and Helena Bonham Carter are on display at Knebworth House.
Hertfordshire stately home Knebworth House has made numerous starring appearances on the big screen in major feature films, TV series, and music videos over the past 50 years.
Highlights include Netflix royal drama The Crown, the Oscar-winning The King’s Speech, Tim Burton's 1989 Batman blockbuster featuring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne, and the recent Netflix psychological thriller series YOU.
Now on display in Knebworth House throughout April and May are some of the costumes used on location there from three movies - The King’s Speech (2010), Victoria and Abdul (2017), and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020).
READ MORE
- Will Ferrell’s Netflix Eurovision movie filmed in Knebworth
- Eurovision: Will Ferrell tells the story of Fire Saga
- YOU season 4 filmed at Knebworth House
- 8 filming locations of The Crown in Hertfordshire
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
The Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga display comprises of the 'Volcano Man' helmet worn by Will Ferrell.
In the Netflix movie, the Anchorman star plays Lars Erickssong, an aspiring Icelandic musician heading to the Eurovision Song Contest.
The exhibition explains costume designer Anna B. Sheppard "created a few sketches of Lars to present to Ferrell and director David Dobkin before the trio landed on his commanding and heavy to wear Thor-reminiscent look, complete with a winged helmet".
A replica of the jacket Ferrell was wearing in the song-along scenes shot at Knebworth House in August-September 2019 - featuring co-stars Rachel McAdams and Dan Stevens along with cameos from various real Eurovision finalists - is also being exhibited.
For filming of Eurovision, Knebworth House was transformed into the estate where Russian contestant Alexander Lemtov (Dan Stevens) holds a soirée prior to the Eurovision finals.
Production designer Paul Inglis created the most grandiose set at Knebworth House for the scenes.
"We went to town at Knebworth," said Inglis. "It was an absolute joy!
"We turned it into a modern party house for a Russian bachelor about town.
"We had four gold-plated supercars parked outside, flambeaus and a red carpet. Inside we added ice sculptures, naked statues of Lemtov, gold staircases, marble and disco balls.”
The King's Speech
Costumes worn by Helena Bonham Carter, who played Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Guy Pearce (Edward VIII, The Duke of Windsor), and Eve Best (Wallis Simpson) form the display for The King’s Speech.
These costumes can be seen in the Banqueting Hall of Knebworth House, where scenes were shot in early 2010.
Visitors to Knebworth House will see the costumes up close and can read information and quotes from the costume designer, Jenny Beavan.
Directed by Tom Hooper, The King's Speech won four Oscars, including a best actor gong for Colin Firth, who played the future King George VI.
Helena Bonham Carter's outfit on display comprises a blue wool crepe dress with matching coat, fur trim and stole, and a blue felt hat.
Guy Pearce's costume comprises a green wool two-piece single breasted suit with orange, black and cream check, a cream shirt, and a green and orange diagonal-patterned sleeveless woollen pullover.
Eve Best's Wallis Simpson costume consists of a dark brown textured, silk/wool mix crepe dress with a cowl neck and a low cowl neck at the back with self-covered buttons and a matching belt.
The backless dress was designed by Jenny Beavan to show off a diamante necklace.
Victoria & Abdul
In the State Drawing Room of Knebworth House there is a display of costumes worn by Dame Judi Dench, who starred as Queen Victoria, and Ali Fazal, who played Abdul Karim, in Victoria & Abdul.
This movie was filmed on location at Knebworth in October 2016, with Knebworth House doubling for Balmoral, Queen Victoria’s Scottish retreat.
The film tells the true story of the unlikely friendship between Queen Victoria and Indian servant Abdul Karim.
The Victoria & Abdul costumes on display in Knebworth House were designed by Consolata Boyle.
These exciting displays are part of the Screen Tourism Development Programme, which is part of Visit Herts’ destination recovery strategy.
This is delivered through the Community Renewal Fund Project, ‘Driving creative innovation and culture-led regeneration through the film industry’, which is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.
For more on Visit Herts' screen tourism offering in the county, visit www.visithertsbusiness.co.uk/screen-tourism/screen-tourism-development-programme/
The ‘On Location at Knebworth House’ Exhibition is also a must-see for any film fan visiting Knebworth House.
This exhibition tells the story of filming at Knebworth House, Gardens and Park from behind the camera with hilarious stories from the Lytton Cobbold family and staff.
Tickets to Knebworth House include access to the costume displays and the ‘On Location’ exhibition. Pre-booked tickets are discounted online at www.knebworthhouse.com.
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