Jeremiah Johnson – Utah
In 1972, Sydney Pollack directed the Western film. Robert Redford played the title role, with Will Geer, Stefan Gierasch and Allyn Anne McLerie also playing important roles. The plot was inspired by John Jeremiah Johnson. He is a legendary mountaineer.
You can read about his life in the books Mountain Man, by Vardis Fischer and Crow Killer: Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson, by Raymond Thorp & Robert Bunker. It premiered in 1972 at the Cannes Film Festival.
Jeremiah Johnson’s director deserves credit for successfully portraying Utah’s cold and bleak environment during filming. Zion National Park was among the locations used for filming, as were the Uinta National Forest and Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The Ashley National Forest and American Fork Canyons and Alpine Loop are also included.
Lincoln – Virginia
Steven Spielberg directed this 2012 biographical historical drama. Daniel Day-Lewis portrays Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States. The supporting cast includes Tommy Lee Jones Sally Field David Strathairn Hal Holbrook James Spader and Joseph Gordon Levitt.
Abraham Lincoln’s political genius inspired the screenplay. Day-Lewis’ portrayal of Day-Lewis as the title character was praised by the world. He was awarded the Oscar for Best Actor. Virginia has a rich and diverse history. In addition, the architectural splendor of the period can be seen in Richmond and Petersburg.
Virginia was an obvious choice for Spielberg who produced the film. Spielberg also got to shoot the State Capitol as well as the Executive Mansion. Spielberg’s exceptional directing skills are evident in all the scenes of Lincoln.
