Where was The Mosquito Coast filmed?
1986
City Locations
San Pedro (Belize)
Location Types
Unusual, Riverside
Location Styles
Beachfront, Beach House, Boat Style, Camper, Rustic, Retreat
About The Mosquito Coast
Journey into the heart of darkness with the gripping 1986 drama The Mosquito Coast. Directed by the critically acclaimed Peter Weir, the film stars legendary actors Harrison Ford, Andre Gregory, Helen Mirren, and a young River Phoenix. Produced in the United States, the film explores a man's dream of a utopian life against the backdrop of a rapidly decaying society.
As the story progresses, a brilliant but stubborn inventor named Allie Fox (Harrison Ford) becomes disillusioned with the American ideal and excessive consumerism. After Fox and his family come to believe that a nuclear disaster is on the horizon due to America's criminality and economic greed, they decide to leave the country for Central America in pursuit of a simpler, more authentic life. However, this paradise swiftly becomes a dystopia as Ford's character loses control.
Amid its complicated plot and slow pace, The Mosquito Coast was met with disappointing reviews upon its premiere. Yet, owing to its 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has gained widespread recognition. The complicated and disturbed Allie Fox has received much acclaim.
Ford still considers The Mosquito Coast a significant aspect of his career, even if it was commercially unsuccessful. He spoke highly of the film's emotional impact. With 24 reviews and an average score of 6.6 out of 10, the picture has a decent approval rating of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. According to the site's critics, Harrison Ford expertly plays a challenging and unpleasant character, creating an intriguing and unusual character exploration.
The Mosquito Coast Locations
The widely acclaimed film The Mosquito Coast was shot in 1986 against the stunning backdrop of Belize. The film crew used Holliday Lands, just south of Victoria House and about three miles south of San Pedro Town, to capture the hurricane sequence in San Pedro.
Belize was a possible destination before settling in Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras, Brazil, and West Africa. On February 3, 1985, on the mainland of Belize, film shooting commenced against various backdrops, including Gracie Rock, the Manatee River, and the mouth of the Sibun River.
Sandy beaches, lush vegetation, and a peaceful river meandering through the countryside make up the area's famously beautiful environment. Over a hundred Belizeans, primarily from San Pedro, helped the film crew construct a pier, an elevated water reservoir, and a canal that leads to the beach. The storm was spectacular due to combining these man-made features with the natural environment.
Ecotourists and movie enthusiasts will love these places. The stunning locations shown in this classic film are still accessible to the public because they have managed to maintain their natural beauty.
The canal and port, part of the film's infrastructure, also lend these locations a unique historical feel. A visit to these sites will give you a feel for the beauty and complexity of Belize's Mosquito Coast.
The barge docks in Belize City scene in The Mosquito Coast
Belize City, Belize
Families disembark from a barge in Belize City and part ways. Allie (Harrison Ford) buys a small village named Jeronimo from a drunken German. This village, located in the rainforest along the river, becomes a central location in the film's narrative.
Like much of the movie, this scene was filmed in Belize after the filmmakers considered several other locations, including Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, Brazil, and West Africa. Belize, a nation on the eastern coast of Central America, was chosen because of its unique combination of Caribbean Sea shorelines, dense jungle, and rich cultural heritage.
The cinematic scenes of The Mosquito Coast were captured at various locales, such as Gracie Rock, the mouth of the Sibun River, and the Manatee River. These sites showcase the diversity of Belize's terrain, ranging from verdant rainforests to breathtaking marine ecosystems. Furthermore, Belize boasts the Belize Barrier Reef, a sprawling marine reserve speckled with numerous cayes – low-lying islands teeming with abundant marine species.
Belize's jungle regions are rich in history, housing Mayan ruins that offer a glimpse into the ancient civilization. This includes the Caracol archaeological site, renowned for its impressive pyramid structure; Lamanai, nestled next to a lagoon; and Altun Ha, conveniently located just on the outskirts of Belize City.
Belize City can be accessed by plane via the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport for those interested in visiting these filming locations. From there, local transportation is available to the various filming locations.
The hurricane scene in The Mosquito Coast
Holliday Lands, San Pedro, Belize
The pivotal scene unfolds one stormy night when a tropical cyclone threatens to wash the family out to sea. The tension reaches fever pitch until Charlie (River Phoenix), whom Mr. Haddy (Conrad Roberts) has secretly given motor components, reveals his hidden stash, allowing them to kickstart the boat's motor and navigate the turbulent waters.
This nerve-wracking hurricane scene was filmed in San Pedro, Belize. The filmmakers chose Holliday Lands, located just south of Victoria House, about three miles south of San Pedro Town, for its authenticity and atmospheric setting. This location is part of Belize's stunning beachfront properties spanning approximately 400 acres, extending from the Caribbean Sea to the lagoon view property, including a 23-acre island less than a kilometer off San Pedro Town on the lagoon side.
Holliday Lands, surrounded by mature foliage in a quiet cul de sac, provides a serene and private lot. It is an ideal spot for filming and a peaceful island retreat or vacation rental.
Visitors can fly into San Pedro via Belize City's Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport to reach this filming location. From there, local transportation or a short boat ride can take you to Holliday Lands, where you can experience the iconic hurricane scene's backdrop firsthand.
The camp scenes in The Mosquito Coast
Haulover Creek, Belize City, Belize
Upon reaching the shore, the family inadvertently discovers Spellgood's (Andre Gregory) compound. Allie (Harrison Ford) glances at the barbed wire fencing and sourly remarks that the place resembles a Christian concentration camp. As the rest of the family slumbers, Charlie (River Phoenix) and Jerry (Jadrien Steele) stealthily make their way to the Spellgood residence. There, they uncover that the United States has not been eradicated and that Emily (Martha Plimpton) is ready to aid them in their escape from Allie.
This riveting scene was filmed with a backdrop of Hotel Mona Lisa, located by Haulover Creek in Belize. Although there isn't an exact location for the hotel, fans can immerse themselves in the movie's ambiance by taking a stroll down the streets nearby.
Haulover Creek, a coastal waterway that slices through the heart of Belize City before emptying into the Caribbean Sea, provided an ideal backdrop for this scene. The creek is important as the mouth of the Belize River and acts as a natural divider between the northern and southern regions of Belize City. Among its distinguishing features are several bridges, including the Swing Bridge, the most ancient in Central America.
To reach this location in Belize City, you can fly into the airport and then take a taxi or local transportation to the city's heart. For a unique experience, fans can also explore Haulover Creek by taking one of the many cruises available, offering a closer look at this iconic filming location.
Conclusion
Despite its scripting and character development flaws, The Mosquito Coast is a must-see film. Even while playing a character that audiences find repulsive, Harrison Ford delivers an admirable performance.
This peculiar story of a man's spiral into insanity and his futile endeavor to establish a new civilization takes place against the verdant background of the Central American rainforest. The Mosquito Coast used Belize's beautiful and varied scenery to amplify its plot. Locations such as the tranquil beaches of San Pedro, the verdant area surrounding Gracie Rock, the Sibun River mouth, and the Manatee River were carefully chosen to convey the story's core in the film. Holliday Lands, located about three miles south of San Pedro Town, directly south of Victoria House, was the site of a remarkable hurricane scene that showed the raw might of nature.
Unfortunately, the story falls flat regarding engaging and relating to the protagonist. The way he plays Allie Fox is still debatable; viewers struggle to connect with the character because of his unyielding attitude. Compared to other films about eccentric figures lost in the wild, The Mosquito Coast is a well-intentioned effort that stumbles in its execution.