Where Was the Movie Young Guns Filmed?
In 1988, a young cast of up-and-coming actors brought the story of Billy the Kid and his Wild Bunch to life in the film Young Guns. Set in the lawless American West of the 1880s, the film follows the exploits of the teenage outlaws as they rob banks, rustle cattle, and battle the corrupt lawmen who are trying to bring them to justice. But where was Young Guns filmed?
The film was shot on location in several states, including New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The majority of the filming took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which stood in for the fictional town of Lincoln, New Mexico. Other locations included the Lincoln National Forest, the White Sands National Monument, and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.
The film’s director, Christopher Cain, wanted to create a realistic depiction of the Old West, so he chose to shoot on location as much as possible. This allowed him to capture the stunning scenery of the American Southwest and create a sense of authenticity for the film.
The cast and crew of Young Guns spent several months filming on location, and the experience had a profound impact on them. Many of the actors have spoken about how the film helped them to develop a deeper appreciation for the history of the American West.
Young Guns is a classic Western film that has been praised for its authenticity, action, and humor. The film’s stunning cinematography and memorable performances helped to make it a box office success, and it continues to be enjoyed by fans of the Western genre today.
| Location | Scenes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canyon del Muerto | Opening scene, final shootout | Filming took place in the early morning hours to avoid the heat |
| Lincoln National Forest | Most of the film | The forest was used to recreate the Lincoln County, New Mexico of the 1870s |
| White Sands National Monument | Several scenes | The monument’s dunes were used to represent the desert of Lincoln County |
Filming Locations
The movie Young Guns was filmed in a variety of locations in Los Angeles, California, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Durango, Mexico, and White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.
Los Angeles, California
The majority of the film was shot in Los Angeles, California. The exterior of the White House was recreated on a soundstage at the 20th Century Fox Studios in Century City. The interior of the White House was filmed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. The scenes set in Washington, D.C. were also filmed in Los Angeles.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Several scenes in the film were shot in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The town of Lincoln, New Mexico, was recreated in the town of Galisteo, New Mexico. The scenes set in Lincoln were filmed in Galisteo and in the nearby town of Pecos, New Mexico.
Durango, Mexico
The scenes set in Mexico were filmed in Durango, Mexico. The town of Santa Cruz de la Caada was recreated in the town of Mapim, Durango. The scenes set in Santa Cruz de la Caada were filmed in Mapim and in the nearby town of Tepehuanes, Durango.
White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
The final scene in the film was shot at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. The scene features the characters riding their horses through the dunes of White Sands.
Production Timeline
The production of Young Guns began in 1987 and ended in 1989. The pre-production phase of the film lasted from 1987 to 1988. The filming phase of the film took place in 1988. The post-production phase of the film lasted from 1988 to 1989.
Pre-production
The pre-production phase of Young Guns began in 1987. During this phase, the script was written, the cast was assembled, and the sets were built. The script for the film was written by John Fusco. The cast of the film included Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, Charlie Sheen, and Dermot Mulroney. The sets for the film were built in Los Angeles, California.
Filming
The filming phase of Young Guns took place in 1988. During this phase, the scenes for the film were shot. The majority of the film was shot in Los Angeles, California. However, several scenes were also shot in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Durango, Mexico, and White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.
Post-production
The post-production phase of Young Guns lasted from 1988 to 1989. During this phase, the film was edited, the music was composed, and the sound effects were added. The film was edited by Michael Kahn. The music for the film was composed by Alan Silvestri. The sound effects for the film were created by Gary Rydstrom.
Young Guns was a successful film that was both a critical and commercial success. The film was praised for its acting, direction, and cinematography. The film was also a box office success, grossing over $43 million worldwide. Young Guns is considered to be one of the best western films of the 1980s.
Where Was The Movie Young Guns Filmed?
The movie Young Guns was filmed in various locations in New Mexico, including Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Las Cruces. The film’s director, Christopher Cain, wanted to create a realistic depiction of the American West, and he felt that New Mexico was the perfect place to do so. The state’s diverse landscape, including its mountains, deserts, and forests, provided the filmmakers with the perfect backdrop for the film’s action sequences.
The majority of the film was shot in Santa Fe, which was used as the stand-in for Lincoln, New Mexico. The city’s historic buildings and streets provided the filmmakers with the perfect setting for the film’s many gunfights and shootouts. Other scenes were filmed in Albuquerque, which was used as the stand-in for Dodge City, Kansas. The city’s wide-open spaces and dusty streets provided the filmmakers with the perfect setting for the film’s cattle drives and wagon trains.
The final scenes of the film were shot in Las Cruces, which was used as the stand-in for Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The city’s adobe buildings and dusty streets provided the filmmakers with the perfect setting for the film’s final showdown.
The filmmakers spent over six months filming Young Guns in New Mexico. The film’s production team worked closely with the state’s government and tourism officials to ensure that the film would accurately depict the American West. The film’s release in 1988 was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to boost tourism in New Mexico.
Cast and Crew
The cast of Young Guns included the following actors:
- Emilio Estevez as Billy the Kid
- Kiefer Sutherland as Doc Holliday
- Lou Diamond Phillips as Chavez y Chavez
- Charlie Sheen as Danny “Doc” Holiday
- Dermot Mulroney as Pat Garrett
The film’s crew included the following people:
- Director: Christopher Cain
- Writer: John Fusco
- Producer: Irving Azoff
Reception
Young Guns was a critical and commercial success. The film grossed over $43 million at the box office, and it received generally positive reviews from critics. The film’s cast and crew were praised for their performances, and the film’s cinematography and direction were also praised. However, some critics found the film to be too violent and unrealistic.
Young Guns is considered to be one of the most popular Western films of the 1980s. The film’s success helped to launch the careers of Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, and Lou Diamond Phillips. The film also helped to boost tourism in New Mexico.
Young Guns is a classic Western film that is still enjoyed by audiences today. The film’s cast, crew, and cinematography are all top-notch, and the film’s story is exciting and engaging. Young Guns is a must-see for any fan of Western films.
Where Was the Movie Young Guns Filmed?
- What locations were used in the film?
- The majority of the film was shot in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- Other locations included Albuquerque, New Mexico; Las Vegas, New Mexico; and Lincoln, New Mexico.
- How long did it take to film the movie?
- The film was shot over a period of 54 days.
- What challenges did the filmmakers face while filming?
- The filmmakers faced a number of challenges while filming, including the harsh desert climate, the lack of infrastructure in some of the locations, and the need to work with a large cast and crew.
- What was the impact of the film on Santa Fe?
- The film had a significant impact on Santa Fe, helping to put the city on the map as a filming location and boosting tourism.
- What are some other interesting facts about the film?
- The film was the first major Hollywood production to be shot in New Mexico.
- The film’s cast included a number of up-and-coming actors, including Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, and Kiefer Sutherland.
- The film’s director, Christopher Cain, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director.
Young Guns was filmed in several locations in New Mexico, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas. The film’s director, Christopher Cain, wanted to capture the rugged beauty of the Southwest and the harsh conditions that the cowboys faced. The film’s cast and crew spent several months in New Mexico, and the movie helped to put the state on the map as a popular filming location. Young Guns is a classic western film that captures the spirit of the American frontier. The film’s location filming in New Mexico helped to create a realistic and immersive experience for viewers.