Where was Mudbound filmed?

The film opens with an intense sequence in which Jamie McAllan (Garrett Hedlund) digs a grave for his father as the sun sets. Henry, his elder brother (Jason Clarke), rushes to his aid. With a storm on the horizon and Jamie confined to the tomb, the gravity of their mission becomes clear. Henry courageously saves Jamie despite his fears, setting the tone for their complicated connection.

Vacherie, famous for its historic plantations, provided the backdrop for filming outside sequences. The magnificent avenue of oaks that ascends to the stately home at the Oak Alley Plantation makes it one of the most famous landmarks in the region. Numerous other plantations, such as Felicity, St. Joseph, Laura, and Desire, dot the terrain and provide insight into the area's history.

Other filmmakers have also taken notice of Vacherie's distinctive vibe, and the “True Detective” team chose it as a backdrop for the TV show. Those who want to feel like they're in Mudbound can visit these plantations.

It takes nearly half an hour to go from New Orleans to Vacherie on Highway 18, the Great River Road, or I-10 W. The lavishness and history of these plantations are as much a part of your experience as they are in the movie as you travel along this path.

As World War II started, both young men enlisted — Jamie (Garrett Hedlund) in the United States Army Air Corps, flying B-25 bombers, and Ronsel (Jason Mitchell) in the U.S. Army commanding tanks. Amidst the turmoil of war in the European theater, Ronsel finds love with a white German woman, adding a poignant layer to his story.

While Germany was the setting for these scenes, Budapest, Hungary, provided the filming setting. The rich history and architectural beauty make it an apt stand-in for war-torn Germany. Although no source mentions specific filming locations within Budapest, fans can still immerse themselves in the atmosphere by exploring the city's landmarks.

Visitors can traverse the 19th-century Chain Bridge, one of the city's most iconic structures, or take a funicular ride to Buda’s Old Town. Here, the Budapest History Museum offers a comprehensive look at the city’s past, from Roman times to the present. Trinity Square, home to the 13th-century Matthias Church and the turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, provides panoramic city views.

International flights land at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport to get to Budapest. From there, the city center is easily accessible by public transport, taxis, or rental cars. Once in the city, Budapest's extensive public transportation system, including trams, buses, and the metro, makes it easy to navigate and explore.

In his innocence, Jamie (Garrett Hedlund) engages Laura (Carey Mulligan) with stories about plays to impress her. This interaction continues at a lavish party where he dances with Laura despite having toasted to her impending marriage and future children with his brother, Henry (Jason Clarke). Laura's voiceover during this dance subtly reveals her affection for Jamie, while Henry acknowledges his brother's charm with women.

St. James Parish, Louisiana, with the neighboring plantations of Felicite and St. Joseph as the backdrop, provided the setting for this scene. These rural settings lent an authentic charm to the movie under Dee Rees's direction. Felicity Plantation, a historical sugarcane plantation located along the riverbanks of the Mississippi, added further depth to the film's setting. Built around 1846 (or 1850) by Valcour Aime as a wedding gift for his daughter, Felicity is a sister plantation to St. Joseph and is open for tours.

Wise Wolfe, the location manager for Mudbound, chose St. James Parish due to its ideal conditions for recreating the film's Mississippi cotton farm. The sugarcane farmer behind Felicite and St. Joseph plantations had fallow fields, perfect for depicting the harsh environment where the main characters struggled to make a living.

Get to James Parish by driving from New Orleans via the LA-3127 N, which takes approximately an hour. Once there, both Felicite and St. Joseph plantations are accessible for tours, allowing fans to experience the film's ambiance firsthand.

A particularly impactful scene involves the Jackson family, ready to leave with their scant possessions in a wagon, encountering Henry (Jason Clarke) and Jamie (Garrett Hedlund) struggling to bury Pappy (Jonathan Banks). Hap (Rob Morgan) helps with the coffin and recites verses 14:2-12 from the Book of Job over the grave, casting a reproach on Pappy's wickedness. Jamie approaches the Jacksons' wagon, entrusting Florence (Mary J. Blige) with a letter from a German woman meant for Ronsel (Jason Mitchell).

In the aftermath, Jamie relocates to the city, while Ronsel returns to Europe to reunite with his German lover and their child. These post-war scenes came to life in Lutcher, Louisiana, a town in St. James Parish on Louisiana's Great River Road.

This roughly 70-mile stretch of highways extends from New Orleans's outskirts to Baton Rouge's suburbs. Lutcher is renowned for its annual multi-day Christmas event, characterized by large bonfires blazing atop the Mississippi River levees at night. These bonfires are a spectacular sight and one of the many reasons to visit Plantation Country.

Embark on a scenic drive from New Orleans or Baton Rouge using the Great River Road to Lutcher. This route allows you to soak in the abundant cultural heritage and natural splendor of Plantation Country during your journey. From Vacherie, Lutcher is just a short 15-minute car ride away.