Where was The Holdovers filmed? The real schools and snowy streets behind the story
Where was The Holdovers filmed? Filmmakers shot the nostalgic 1970s boarding school drama across Massachusetts, on real campuses like St. Mark's School, Groton School, and Deerfield Academy. They filmed snowy scenes in Boston and Shelburne Falls, bringing authentic New England charm to the story.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Where was The Holdovers filmed?
- Which town was The Holdovers filmed in?
- Where was the bar scene filmed in The Holdovers?
- Was The Holdovers based on a true story?
- How many Oscars did The Holdovers win?
- What museum was The Holdovers filmed in?
- What campus was used in The Holdovers?
- Where did they go in The Holdovers?
- Was the snow in The Holdovers real?
- Final word
Key takeaways
- The filmmakers primarily shot The Holdovers across Massachusetts, using Groton, Shelburne Falls, and Boston as major backdrops for the fictional Barton Academy.
- The prestigious Groton School, along with Deerfield Academy and St. Mark's School, provided the classic New England campus setting.
- The bar scene was filmed at Pleasant Café in Roslindale, while the exterior shot was from a liquor store in Shelburne Falls.
- Screenwriter David Hemingson drew inspiration for the fictional story from his real-life experiences at a 1970s prep school and his close relationship with his uncle.
- The film won one Oscar at the 2024 Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Da'Vine Joy Randolph, out of five total nominations.
Where was The Holdovers filmed?
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According to MassLive Media, The Holdovers was primarily filmed entirely in Massachusetts, across Greater Boston and several historic towns. The filmmakers shot key scenes depicting the fictional Barton Academy at Groton School, St. Mark's School in Southborough, and Deerfield Academy.
Additional locations include Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill and Shelburne Falls, which served as the backdrop for the town of Barton. Urban scenes were captured in Boston, featuring landmarks like Boston City Hall, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and Boston Common. Filming took place from January to March 2022.
Which town was The Holdovers filmed in?
The filmmakers primarily shot The Holdovers in Massachusetts, using the town of Groton as a key location. The prestigious Groton School doubled as the fictional Barton Academy, providing both interior and exterior shots, including its chapel and boathouse.
Additional scenes were filmed at St. Mark's School in Southborough and Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, contributing to the various campus settings, including the dining hall and chapel.
The directors filmed establishing shots of Barton, the fictional school town, in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. Other filming sites included Deerfield Academy and locations across Greater Boston, such as Boston City Hall and Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
Where was the bar scene filmed in The Holdovers?
Filmmakers shot the bar scene at Pleasant Café in Roslindale, Massachusetts. This location served as the interior for the fictional "Winning Ticket" restaurant. Filmmakers shot the exterior of the bar scene at a liquor store on Water Street in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.
While the café doesn't feature pinball machines as shown in the film, filmmakers chose it for its vintage ambience and authentic neighbourhood feel.
Was The Holdovers based on a true story?
The Holdovers is not a literal retelling of real events, but its emotional foundation is deeply personal. Screenwriter David Hemingson drew from his adolescence in 1970s New England, where he attended a prep school and navigated the fallout of his parents' turbulent divorce. Hemingson wrote to TIME Magazine in November 2023:
The Holdovers is the story of three fractured people… But, in reality, those characters were born in 1969.
The character of Paul Hunham, portrayed by Paul Giamatti, was inspired by Hemingson's uncle, Earl Cahail. He was a strict, brilliant, and deeply kind man who became a guiding force during Hemingson's formative years. He revealed:
Earl's personality and philosophy are always with me… When it came time to write Paul Giamatti's character… I channelled Earl.
Cahail's mentorship helped Hemingson develop discipline and self-worth, themes that echo throughout the film.
He was my best friend, my Merlin, my saviour… He is the reason I became a writer.
While the plot is fictional, the emotional truths, grief, mentorship, and unexpected connection are rooted in Hemingson's lived experience.
How many Oscars did The Holdovers win?
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The Holdovers won one Academy Award at the 2024 Oscars. Da'Vine Joy Randolph received the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mary Lamb, the grieving school cook. The Academy Awards also nominated the film in four other categories: Best Picture, Best Actor (Paul Giamatti), Best Original Screenplay (David Hemingson), and Best Film Editing (Kevin Tent).
What museum was The Holdovers filmed in?
Filmmakers shot some of The Holdovers scenes inside the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, specifically in the galleries of ancient Greek and Roman art. The location added a layer of authenticity and historical depth to the film's visual storytelling. The museum also hosted a special screening of the film, highlighting its connection to the location.
What campus was used in The Holdovers?
The Holdovers used several real campuses in Massachusetts to portray the fictional Barton Academy. Key filming locations included St. Mark's School in Southborough for interior scenes, such as the dining hall and gym, and Groton School for chapel scenes.
Deerfield Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon School also contributed exterior shots and study room scenes.
Where did they go in The Holdovers?
In The Holdovers, the characters spend most of their time at Barton Academy, a fictional New England boarding high school. They also venture off-campus to deepen the story's emotional arc. Key locations include a local hospital, a pub, a Christmas Eve party, and Boston, specifically Roxbury, where Paul and Angus accompany Mary to her sister's home.
Was the snow in The Holdovers real?
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Much of the snow in The Holdovers was real. The production team deliberately scheduled filming in Boston and surrounding areas during the winter months to capture authentic snowfall. Cinematographer Eigil Bryld confirmed that they timed the shoot to coincide with natural snow, which gave the film its clean, wintry aesthetic.
In some scenes, the filmmakers gathered real snow in wheelbarrows to enhance the look of outdoor sets.
Final word
The Holdovers' directors filmed the iconic comedy film across snowy Massachusetts. Elite schools like Groton, Deerfield, Northfield Mount Hermon School, and St. Mark's portray the fictional Barton Academy. Shelburne Falls and Boston added authentic charm, featuring historic streets and festive storefronts.
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