Where was Congo filmed?
1995
City Locations
Arcadia (USA), San Bernardino (USA), Baldwin Park (USA), Culver City (USA), Los Angeles (USA)
Location Types
Film Studio, Unique, Unusual, Intimate, Beachfront, Hospital
Location Styles
Modern Building, Modern Car, Plane Style, Tropical
About Congo
Congo is a thrilling 1995 American science fiction action-adventure film masterfully directed by Frank Marshall. The film is based on the 1980 novel of the same name by Michael Crichton, who was also known for authoring "Jurassic Park."
The film follows a trip to the African Congo that goes wrong. This leads to forming a new group whose job is to figure out what went wrong. Among the eight characters are Laura Linney, Ernie Hudson, and Tim Curry, who come from different backgrounds and enter the unknown, strange parts of Africa.
Travis, played by Joe Don Baker, is one of the main characters. He sends Karen Ross, played by Laura Linney, who used to work for the CIA, into the jungle because he trusts her. She wants to do two things: find Travis's lost diamond-hunting team and find a valuable stash of jewels. Kelly (Ernie Hudson), a skilled guide, takes the group into the heart of Congo.
However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when it is revealed that one of the team members, Peter, is escorting a gorilla named Amy, who communicates through sign language, back to her birthplace in the Congo. This surprising part of the story gives the movie a depth that makes it different from other action-adventure movies.
Congo Locations
Congo, a 1995 American action-adventure film, used a variety of breathtaking locales to bring its plot to life. Despite being set in Africa, most of the sequences were shot in other regions, demonstrating the magic of filmmaking.
Most of the movie was filmed in Simi Valley, California, which had a lot of different landscapes that looked like African jungles. A set was used to build the city of Zinj, an important part of the movie. A scene was planned to be shot in the Dominican Republic, but it ended up being shot in Pasadena, California. The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia, California, was another important shooting site. It was used to create an exotic setting for many international scenes.
Interestingly, some scenes were shot in Costa Rica, known for its beautiful jungles and wide range of plants and animals. This place made the movie's depiction of the Congo bush seem more real.
People who like movies and travel should both visit these places. Besides being famous for movies, these places have beautiful scenery and unique things to see. Some places close to Arcadia are the beautiful Santa Anita Park racetrack and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
Fun Fact
A fun fact about the movie is that many scenes were shot in different places, like Costa Rica, Hawaii, and even the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, even though the story takes place in Africa. This shows how versatile movies can be.
The City of Zinj scene in Congo
Sony Pictures Studios, 10202 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA
The exploration team finds the broken-down camp close to Zinj City. The camp used to be very busy, but now it's very quiet, and there are signs of damage and chaos that point to a violent attack. A sudden attack by a grey gorilla, a species never seen in scientific records, makes things more tense for Richard (Grant Heslov) and a group of porters. Despite the initial shock and panic, the group can hold the gorillas at bay using automatic defense laser systems. The description of Zinj and its surroundings is notable, with the deep, unexplored jungle and old ruins instilling fear and solitude.
Sony Pictures Studios, located in Culver City, California, is a historic film and television production facility. The studios provide a tour of the entertainment world, taking guests through several sound stages and telling stories about the industry's history. The tour includes a stop at the Sony Museum, where visitors may explore sets and props from renowned shows such as "Seinfeld" and "Spiderman." This creative campus is well-known for its award-winning talent, cutting-edge technology, and worldwide connectivity.
You can drive, take a taxi, or use public transportation to visit Sony Pictures Studios. For those using GPS, enter the address for directions. By bus, lines 17, 7, and CC7 stop nearby. There's also paid parking available for visitors on site.
Conclusion
Congo, the 1995 American science fiction action-adventure film, intricately weaves various filming locations to create its unique cinematic fabric. The film's narrative, set against the backdrop of the African jungle, is brought to life through many locales, including Costa Rica, known for its lush biodiversity, and the diverse landscapes of Simi Valley in Southern California. The filmmakers' ability to transform these varied regions into a convincing Congo jungle showcases the magic of movie-making.
The City of Zinj, a significant location in the film, was created on a sound stage, further demonstrating the creative prowess involved in the production. Despite the movie's title, the filming locations span continents, offering viewers a global journey. In essence, Congo is a testament to the power of storytelling and a tribute to the art of creating immersive, believable environments through clever location selection and set design.