Where was Black Dog filmed?

After Jack Crews (Patrick Swayze) is released from prison, he tries to return to normalcy. Jack works as a truck mechanic in a local repair shop in New Jersey, as he cannot drive himself due to his criminal record. Nevertheless, an unexpected opportunity arises when Frank Cutler (Graham Beckel), his manager, offers him a generous sum of money to transport a shipment of toilets from Atlanta to New Jersey.

This part of the film was primarily shot in North Carolina, with Charlotte being one of the key filming locations. Known as a significant commercial hub, Charlotte beautifully juxtaposes its modern city center, Uptown, with historical sites. The Levine Museum of the New South, which delves into the post-Civil War history of the South, and the hands-on science displays at Discovery Place are among the city's notable landmarks. Moreover, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, located in Uptown, with its interactive exhibits and films, pays tribute to the sport of auto racing, adding another layer of dynamism to the city's character.

To visit Charlotte, you can fly to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which offers numerous domestic and international flights. From the airport, Uptown Charlotte is about a 20-minute drive. You can also reach Charlotte by Amtrak train or Greyhound bus, both of which have stations in the city. Once in Charlotte, exploring the city is easy with public transportation options like the LYNX Light Rail, streetcar, or bus.

Jack (Patrick Swayze) discovers that his cargo, which was supposed to be toilets, is filled with illegal firearms worth over $3,000,000, according to the ATF. He also learns that Wes (Brian Vincent) has been leaking their location to Red (Meat Loaf) throughout the journey. To further complicate matters, Jack finds out that Sonny (Gabriel Casseus) is an undercover FBI agent after Red tragically kills him in a failed hijack attempt.

This high-stakes sequence, pivotal to the film's plot, was primarily shot indoors at what was then known as EUE/Screen Gems Studios. Today, it is part of Cinespace Film Studios, a series of film studio facilities spread across the US and Canada. Founded in 1988 by Greek-Canadian Nick Mirkopoulos, Cinespace acquired the Wilmington, NC facility in 2003 from EUE/Screen Gems.

Cinespace Film Studios in Wilmington has a rich history, having been the shooting location for over 300 films, commercials, and television projects, including popular shows like 'One Tree Hill' and Dawson's Creek. The studio is still operational today, although it remains closed to the public due to ongoing productions. Fans interested in learning more or trying to arrange a visit should contact the administration for more information.

To get to Wilmington, you can fly into Wilmington International Airport. From there, the studio is approximately a 10-minute drive. Alternatively, you can catch a Greyhound bus or Amtrak train to Wilmington, both of which have stations in the city.

One of the pivotal scenes unfolds at Snow's Cut Park in Wilmington. In this sequence, Red (Meat Loaf) and his henchmen attempt to hijack the truck driven by Jack Crews (Patrick Swayze). Despite being shot in the arm during the altercation, Jack manages to thwart their plans and forces Red's truck off the road.

After this intense encounter, Jack stops at Snow's Cut Park to tend to his wound. With its serene surroundings, the park serves as a momentary refuge for Jack amidst the chaos. Here, he recalls a crucial piece of information revealed by Sonny (Gabriel Casseus), who had been killed earlier. He realizes that the FBI is tracking their location. Prompted by this revelation, Jack searches his truck and discovers a tracking device, which he later hands off to another character, leading the FBI on a wild goose chase.

Famed for its appearance in the movie Black Dog, Snow's Cut Park is strategically located opposite the Intracoastal Waterway and Carolina Beach. The park, which owes its name to Major William Arthur Snow, was a significant undertaking in the 1930s to link Seagate with the river. Regrettably, ongoing shoreline erosion led to the permanent closure of Snow's Cut Park in 2021.

Despite the closure, fans can still glimpse the park's former beauty from the nearby Snow’s Cut RV Retreat, just 10 miles south of downtown Wilmington, before the bridge to Carolina Beach. It will take 20 minutes from the downtown NC-132 S and US-421 S.

Jack Crews (Patrick Swayze) and his team leave the docks for the impound lot when Red (Meat Loaf) ambushes them and makes a final attempt on Jack's life. Their vehicles collide, leading to Red losing control of his truck. The truck flips over multiple times before colliding with a train and exploding in a spectacular display.

This intense and suspenseful sequence was shot at the North Carolina State Ports Authority in Wilmington. The authority is a state-established organization responsible for developing and managing seaports in Morehead City and Wilmington, North Carolina. The Port of Wilmington provides terminal facilities that handle a range of operations, including bulk, container, breakbulk, and ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) services.

While the site may not be open to the public due to operational requirements, fans and visitors interested in the location should contact the administration for more information or potential visiting opportunities.

To reach the North Carolina State Ports Authority, travel to Wilmington. The port is roughly a 20-minute drive from the Wilmington International Airport. Alternatively, you can use Greyhound buses or Amtrak trains with stations within the city for easier access. If you're coming from Charlotte, a car journey via the US-74 E route will take approximately three hours.