Though Birmingham doesn’t quite have the reputation for filmmaking that Los Angeles has doesn’t mean it’s a stranger to the medium. A number of films have been shot here; some using the Magic City as a stand-in for another metropolitan area, while some use the real city to tell strictly Southern stories. Here are my top five favorite movies shot right here in Birmingham, Alabama.
Stay Hungry (1976)
This Bob Rafelson-directed drama focuses on a shady businessman (Jeff Bridges) who’s interested in buying a gym in order to close a real estate deal. Along the way, he becomes close to the gym’s receptionist (Sally Field) and learns about the bodybuilding lifestyle from one of the gym’s customers (Arnold Schwarzenegger). The film gives a wonderful snapshot of 1970s Birmingham, serving as an interesting capsule for a time that’s no more.
Ravagers (1979)
This odd, post-apocalyptic tale follows a group of nuclear holocaust survivors who must survive against a group of mutated beings known as “ravagers.” Starring Richard Harris, Ernest Borgnine, Art Carney, Woody Strode, and Seymour Cassel, this strange sci-fi includes a gunfight at Sloss Furnaces as well as shots in a deserted downtown. Much like Stay Hungry, it serves as an interesting time capsule of a time in Birmingham now long gone.
4 Little Girls (1997)
One of the most important films about our city is Spike Lee’s documentary examining the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Church. It focuses on the lives and families of the four girls killed in the bombing, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, and Denise McNair, as well as the aftermath of the crime. The film, Lee’s own personal favorite, was associate-produced by a UAB professor of mine, Michele Forman, and its popularity at the time even helped lead to the prosecution and conviction of its suspects.
42 (2013)
Starring the late, great Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, featuring Harrison Ford, and filmed in Birmingham…this was a clear favorite for me. Though I’m not much of a sports fan, baseball in itself is nostalgic for my family and me, and seeing some of the sport’s great (and local) untold history was a complete joy. The historic Rickwood Field stood in for several historic ballfields, while the Tutwiler Hotel lent itself for a scene.
Sword of Trust (2019)
Lynn Shelton was an incredibly underrated talent that we lost too soon, all evident in this madcap comedy about a ragtag team of characters going down a rabbit hole to collect an inheritance. Featuring Marc Maron, Jon Bass, Michaela Watkins, Jillian Bell, and Whitmer Thomas, Shelton’s final film was filmed in the Southside and Irondale areas and has a distinct Southern vibe to it.
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Birmingham has the great advantage of being one of the most photogenic cities in the South, offering everything from skyscrapers, rolling hills, natural wonders, and plenty of city murals to take your Instagram photos. Here are my top five most photogenic spots to film in Birmingham.
Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard Bridge
Any of the bridges downtown can give you an incredible view, especially at sunset or at night with the lit skyline behind you. The closed Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard Bridge has made it easy for anyone to walk along, grab a photo, or get that perfect shot while safe from traffic.
Magic City Rotary Trail
The classic Magic City sign, what more do I need to say? Along with that, the trail provides a well-lit, safe, quieter place to film that still gives you a sense of active city life in the background.
Top of the City Federal Parking Deck
Birmingham has a ton of parking deck top levels to park and get incredible scenic views of the city. One of my favorites has always been the one connected to City Federal. While it’s not the highest parking deck you can get on top of, it gives you a great up-close view of its parent building while also overlooking a unique skyline of its own.
Color Tunnel
One of Birmingham’s most iconic features is its color tunnels, lit with a luminous barrage of different colors after the sun is set. Who needs gels when the natural colors have been set up for you? The constant changing may pose a problem, but if you’ve got the time to plan it out, you can give your scene an easy extra bit of flair.
Highland Park
There are several beautiful neighborhoods to film in within city limits. With its several parks, lively communities, and beautiful historic buildings, it’s hard to beat Highland Park for me. It gives you just enough neighborhood peace and quiet while still being close to the action of the city.
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Nick Adrian is the Marketing Manager for the Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema and a DIY filmmaker on the side. His debut no-budget feature film Moon Beams – shot in and around Birmingham – is available for free now on YouTube and Vimeo.
