The Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Real-Life Locations of 'Outbreak' Movie
Hello, movie buffs! Today, we're diving into the world of one of the most thrilling contagion films ever made, 'Outbreak', and taking you on a virtual tour of its iconic movie locations. So, grab your popcorn, and let's embark on this exciting journey! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and outbreak movie location.
A Brief Refresher: 'Outbreak' Movie Plot
Before we dive into the locations, let's quickly recap the movie's plot. 'Outbreak' is a 1995 American medical thriller directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, and Morgan Freeman. The movie revolves around a deadly and contagious virus called Motaba, which threatens to decimate humanity. The story follows a group of military and CDC specialists as they race against time to stop the outbreak and find a cure.
1. The Quarantine Zone: Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
The movie's opening scene sets the stage for the outbreak in the small fictional town of Cedar Creek, California. While the town itself doesn't exist, the surrounding landscapes do, and they're breathtaking! The majority of the outdoor scenes were filmed at Lassen Volcanic National Park, a stunning park located in Northern California.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its hot springs, mud pots, and volcanic landscapes. In the movie, these natural wonders take on a more sinister role as the epicenter of the deadly Motaba virus. The park's rugged beauty provides the perfect backdrop for the film's tense and dramatic moments.
Fun fact: The park's Bumpass Hell area, named after a rancher who fell into the hot spring and lost his leg, was used to film the scene where the military is setting up their quarantine zone.
2. The CDC Headquarters: The National Institutes of Health, Maryland
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plays a crucial role in the movie, serving as the base of operations for the team of specialists trying to contain the outbreak. While the CDC's headquarters in Atlanta were too far away for filming, the production team found a suitable alternative in Maryland.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus in Bethesda, Maryland, stood in for the CDC's headquarters. The campus's modern architecture and sprawling grounds provided the perfect setting for the film's tense and dramatic scenes involving the CDC's response to the outbreak.
Fun fact: The NIH campus has been used in several other movies and TV shows, including "House of Cards" and "The X-Files."
3. The Military Base: March Air Reserve Base, California
In the movie, the military plays a significant role in containing the outbreak and providing support to the CDC team. Many of the military-related scenes were filmed at the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California.
The base's wide-open spaces and military infrastructure provided the perfect backdrop for the film's scenes involving the military's response to the outbreak. The base's hangars and runways were used to film scenes of military aircraft taking off and landing, as well as scenes of soldiers in hazmat suits preparing to enter the quarantine zone.
Fun fact: March Air Reserve Base has a long history of appearing in movies and TV shows, with notable appearances in "Top Gun," "The Terminator," and "24."
4. The Hospital: St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, California
As the outbreak spreads, many of the movie's most intense and dramatic scenes take place in hospitals. The production team chose St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, California, to serve as the film's primary hospital setting.
The hospital's modern facilities and equipment provided the perfect backdrop for the film's scenes involving the treatment and containment of the Motaba virus. The hospital's emergency room, intensive care units, and laboratories were all used to film various scenes throughout the movie.
Fun fact: St. Francis Medical Center has also been used as a filming location for several other movies and TV shows, including "ER" and "Grey's Anatomy."
5. The Apartment Building: The Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles
In one of the movie's most memorable scenes, a group of infected individuals takes over an apartment building in downtown Los Angeles. The production team chose the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown LA to serve as the film's apartment building setting.
The hotel's art deco architecture and historic charm provided the perfect backdrop for the film's tense and dramatic scene. The hotel's grand lobby and staircase were used to film the scene where the military storms the building to contain the outbreak.
Fun fact: The Millennium Biltmore Hotel has been used as a filming location for numerous movies and TV shows, including "Pretty Woman," "The Artist," and "Catch Me If You Can."
Wrapping Up: Exploring the Real-Life Locations of 'Outbreak' Movie
There you have it, folks! We've taken you on a virtual tour of the real-life locations used in the filming of the classic contagion movie, 'Outbreak.' While some of these locations may have changed since the movie was filmed, they still offer a unique opportunity to step into the world of this thrilling film.
So, the next time you're in the mood for a movie marathon, why not combine it with a real-life adventure and visit some of these iconic locations? Just remember to stay safe and follow all local guidelines and regulations.
Until next time, happy exploring, and stay healthy!